ARLINGTON, VA— CRDFGlobal President and CEO Cathy Campbell announced on June3, 2015 the EmergencyFund (the Fund) for Ukraine’s Scientists and Innovators at the Science & Higher Education Reform in Ukrainebriefing in the Rayburn House Office Building, Capitol Hill, Washington DC. CRDFGlobal is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes international scientificand technical collaboration through grants, technical resources, training and services. 

CRDF Global hasspearheaded the Fund because the war and economic crisis in Ukraine havedisplaced nearly a million people within the country and forced more than halfa million to move abroad. Among these are hundreds of scientists, engineers,innovators and students relocated from the war zone to poorly-equippedlocations. Many who have left the country will never return. The Fund,comprised of donations from individuals and corporations, will provideemergency support tothose working in science, engineering, technology andinnovation in Ukraine andwill prioritize:

  1. Emergency researchsupport for scientists displaced by the war and young scientists at risk ofleaving Ukraine

  2. Micro grantsto support ongoing mentorship, networking, and travel opportunities fortechnology innovation commercialization 

“Ukraine is incrisis,” said Campbell. “The Emergency Fund for Ukraine’s Scientists andInnovators isa practical way for individuals and organizations around the world to contribute to the nation’s short-term relief and long-termsustainable recovery. The Fund will help incent relocated scientists to stay inthe country where they will have renewed access to funding and an opportunityfor a sustainable future. This is critical as these innovators are theintellectual capital on which Ukraine must depend to rebuild,” she said. 

CRDF Global hasworked with Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science to fully understand theurgent needs the Fund will address. “On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Science I would like to thankCRDF Global for its continuous support and dedicated commitment to ourcooperation,” said Serhiy Kvit, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine. “Atthe time of war and destruction of industry in the occupied territories ofDonbas, it is science, research and innovation that can not only reconcilepeople, but can also provide for gradual but steady recovery of the country,”said Minister Kvit. Read Minister Kvit’s full statement. 

Learn more or donate to the Emergency Fund for Ukraine’s Scientists and Innovators.

 AboutCRDF Global

CRDF Global is an independent, nonprofit organizationestablished in 1995 to promote international scientific and technical collaborationthrough grants, technical resources, training, and services. CRDF Global has nearly20 years of experience managing international research funding programs and supportingemerging science and technology infrastructure in more than 40 countries in Eurasia,the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

***

For media contact:
USA: Becky Sheetz-Runkle, bsheetz@beckysheetz.com 703-501-0533
Ukraine: ukraine@crdfglobal.org