Ministry of Education Announces Launch of Applied Research Agency and Marine Research Center

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is preparing to launch new initiatives designed to improve cooperation between scientific institutions and the business sector. Deputy Minister Denys Kurbatov announced the creation of the Applied Research Agency and the Marine Research Center. These projects are focused on fostering innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of Ukrainian science.

In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, Kurbatov noted that the projects are at various stages of implementation. He explained that the public-private partnership competition in the field of research and development (R&D) is nearly complete. 'We have restructured a number of competitions under state orders, but currently, we do not have any competitions under business orders. This is the first public-private partnership competition in R&D, where we will be gathering requests from the technological business sector,' he stated.

According to the plans, businesses will formulate technical tasks, while the state will provide co-financing. Scientists, in turn, will work on specific projects that are relevant to the market. Currently, 100 million hryvnias have been allocated for the financing of ten such projects. Kurbatov emphasized that the Applied Research Agency will be responsible for bridging the gap between business and science, as well as for finding a legal framework to ensure that all these initiatives operate effectively.

Kurbatov also mentioned that the regulatory framework for the Applied Research Agency should be prepared by April, with candidate selection for the new structure beginning in May. 'The competition will take place in parallel while we pick it up from the ministry's side. We will definitely conduct it this year, after which we will form a team and launch the Agency, which will methodically engage in this process,' he added.

In addition to the Applied Research Agency, the Deputy Minister announced another significant initiative—the establishment of a Marine Research Center. 'Currently, we have a situation where, due to the occupation of Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and part of the Black Sea coast, we have lost many scientific institutions that were engaged in marine scientific issues. Only the institute in Odesa remains, along with the National Antarctic Scientific Center. However, no one is seriously engaged in marine research in Ukraine,' Kurbatov noted.

He underscored that the creation of a unified national marine research center is a necessary step for restoring scientific research in this area. 'We have begun the creation of a unified national marine research center, similar to those existing in Denmark or Germany,' he added. According to Kurbatov, there are plans to merge the National Antarctic Scientific Center and the Ukrainian Scientific Center for Ecology of the Sea in Odesa, as well as to involve other relevant institutes.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister indicated that efforts are currently underway to secure funding for the implementation of this project. 'From next year, the center is expected to operate as a national platform for research in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the World Ocean. Of course, resources are needed for this, but serious attention must be paid to the seas,' he stressed.

Kurbatov also noted that the Ukrainian Scientific Center for Ecology of the Sea possesses a fairly new research vessel, which, after minor repairs, will serve as the base and starting point for the new Marine Research Center. This reflects a serious commitment to reviving marine research in Ukraine and readiness for active engagement in this vital field.