Kyiv Polytechnic representative attends NRFU-SE webinar on financial management of research projects
On 25 September 2026, a representative of the International Collaboration Department and the National Contact Point (NCP) of Horizon Europe for Cluster 5 “Climate, Energy and Mobility” at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute joined the fifth webinar in the series on Building Capacity in the Ukrainian R&I Ecosystem, organised by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) and the Science Europe (SE) association. The theme of the discussion was “Financial Management of Research Projects: From Grant Application to Successful Implementation.”
The session focused on the topical aspects of financial grant management at both pre-award and project implementation stages. About 100 attendees explored issues about budget and cost planning, grant management, and reporting. In addition, the webinar was intended to raise awareness of the latest trends in financial management and facilitate new opportunities for Ukrainian researchers in the international scientific arena.
A panel discussion addressed best practices, state-of-the-art systems, and rules set by research funding and research performing organisations, which are relevant for researchers seeking to draw up and carry out projects. It also considered how research institutions can improve their financial reporting and monitoring systems as well as support researchers in the financial management of their projects.
The fifth webinar featured three international experts, namely Aleksandra Butowt, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission; Gloria Gonzalez, Research Manager at the Madrid Institute of Materials Science (ICMM-CSIC); and Dr Katriin Pirk, Research Funding Officer at the Estonian Research Council (ETAG).
The session opened with welcoming, introductory remarks by Olga Polotska, NRFU Executive Director, and Lidia Borrell-Damián, SE Secretary General. “We try to coordinate as much as possible in all the policy developments and create the best conditions for research and researchers,” Lidia Borrell-Damián said. “Our main missions include shaping European policy developments, contributing to the evolution of research culture, and strengthening the role and contribution of science in society.”
During the panel discussion, Aleksandra Butowt noted that lump sums grants in Horizon Europe account for 50% of the call budget today.
In her presentation, Katriin Pirk pointed out that ETAG’s R&D department allocated a total of €117 million last year or circa 0.28% of Estonian GDP, even though Estonia is a small country. According to her, allowed costs cover those linked to international cooperation in particular, including participation in professional associations and organisations directly related to a project. “Very much is based on trust in scientists,” she stressed.
Special thanks are due to Hans Willems, Secretary General at the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), for moderating the session.
