Ukraine and Australia have considerable potential to expand scientific and technological cooperation in fundamental and applied research, information technology, medicine, physics, astronomy, Earth sciences, biotechnology, space and Antarctic research.
Cooperation between universities, research institutions and individual research groups plays an important role in bilateral scientific relations. Ukrainian scientists work with leading Australian universities and research infrastructure in areas including physics, astronomy, biochemistry, geology, botany, biomedical research and materials science.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, scientific cooperation has also acquired an important humanitarian and recovery dimension. In 2023, the Australian Academy of Science, with support from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, established the Ukraine-Australia Research Fund with AUD 800,000 in funding. The initiative is designed to support Ukrainian researchers, help preserve Ukraine’s scientific capability and build long-term links between Ukrainian and Australian research institutions.
The program supports short-term research visits by Ukrainian scientists to Australia, participation in joint research projects and access to leading Australian research infrastructure. Ukrainian researchers have been able to use supercomputing facilities, telescopes, microscopy and microanalysis facilities, biotechnology platforms and other infrastructure available through Australia’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
In the second round of the Ukraine-Australia Research Fund in 2024, approximately AUD 405,000 was awarded to support Ukrainian researchers. Participating Australian institutions included the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, Curtin University, the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Bioplatforms Australia and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Ukrainian participants included researchers from institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the National Science Center Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, the Main Astronomical Observatory, the Institute of Geological Sciences, the Institute of Botany and the Institute of Biochemistry, among others.
Space cooperation remains a promising area for further engagement. Ukraine has extensive experience in rocket and space technologies, satellite systems and Earth observation, while Australia continues to develop its domestic space sector and international partnerships through the Australian Space Agency. This creates opportunities for deeper cooperation between government agencies, universities and private companies in both countries.
There is also significant potential for cooperation in Antarctic research. Ukraine and Australia both operate national Antarctic programs and participate in international scientific cooperation in Antarctica. The Australian Antarctic Program works with more than 150 national and international research institutions and conducts joint scientific and logistical activities with other countries. This provides opportunities for expanded Ukraine-Australia cooperation in climate science, Southern Ocean research, biology, geophysics and related fields.
The Australian scientific community has also demonstrated sustained support for Ukrainian researchers and for preserving Ukraine’s scientific capacity. The Australian Academy of Science participates in international coordination among national academies aimed at supporting Ukrainian scientists and contributing to the rebuilding of a modern and globally integrated Ukrainian science and research system.