NATO and Ukraine are further strengthening their long-standing cooperation in the scientific domain. On 14 October 2026, the NATO-Ukraine Council approved a Strategy for Supporting the Ukrainian Scientific Ecosystem. The strategy will address how to support academia and researchers, strengthen the physical and digital research, and enhance opportunities for connectivity and scientific exchange. The strategy contributes to the implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap, aimed at boosting the capacity and resilience of the Ukrainian ecosystem, in light of Russia's continued attacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
Ukraine is the most active participant in the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, with Ukrainian scientific, research and public institutions involved in more than 35% of all ongoing activities by SPS. Currently, Ukrainian scientists work together with Allied and NATO partner countries' scientific ecosystems in more than 70 current SPS-supported research and development projects. These include humanitarian demining, defence against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, countering unmanned aerial systems, and energy security.
At a separate meeting of the Working Group for Scientific and Environmental Cooperation, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine discussed further opportunities for deepening scientific cooperation and enhancing practical support to the Ukrainian academic and scientific community. Collaborating with the Ukrainian scientific ecosystem has a direct positive impact on the innovation, capacity building and technological development of the Alliance. The scientific excellence, resilience and commitment of the Ukrainian research community make increased collaboration between Ukraine and the Alliance mutually beneficial.
