Following the results of the research performance assessment of higher education institutions, we spoke with Yuriy Khalavko, Vice Rector for Research at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, and Ruslan Zaplitnyi, Head of the Research Coordination Office, to discuss the attestation process, its outcomes, and future opportunities for the university's research development.

What does the process of scientific work attestation entail and according to what criteria is it assessed?

Yuriy Khalavka: The attestation had been held at the Ministry of Education and Science since the end of 2024. The university’s departments, split into four main subject sectors based on the profile of their scientific work and reports, were required to gather and provide data for previous periods. On the grounds of this data, we conducted an estimation of their accomplishments and what the university has managed to achieve. The assessment was separate for all areas; the higher education institutions were categorised according to their sector. There was a total of four categories: A, B, C, and D – the uncertified category. At our university, all the subject areas passed the attestation. The social sciences sector and technological engineering sciences received the C category, and the other two — humanities and arts along with natural sciences and mathematics — were put into the B category. In 2025, the scientific work of these two subject areas was also supported and funded.

Ruslan Zaplitnyi: It’s important to note that all the universities were assessed through the URIS system. The data covers a timeframe of five years. The main indicator was the publications indexed in scientometric databases, primarily of the Q1 and Q2 levels. Such indicators as monographs, the number of publications in Ukrainian professional journals, grant activity, and the fulfillment of partnership agreements along with the professional activity of the tutors were also considered. The rating of higher education institutions was conducted according to these aspects. After the data had been entered, it had to be verified by the Ministry. Once the approval was received, the results were validated at the state level.

Yuriy Khalavka: Aside from the quantitative indicators, expert evaluation was also taken into account. That implies departments putting together so-called impacts – the descriptions of the influence that scientific research or another community has on the society and the reputation of the state. These impacts were evaluated by experts and received a certain number of points. Practically speaking, categories were assigned according to the overall score.

What did Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University accomplish in terms of attestation and how will this affect the opportunities for the development of scientific work?

Yuriy Khalavka: All the sectors we applied for passed the attestation. Two of them received additional funding.  For some considerable time, legal framework was being prepared jointly with the Ministry. Now that we’ve met this milestone, we have an idea of our budget: the university has received around 16 million hryvnias to support the mathematical and natural sciences as well as the sector of humanities and arts in 2026.

How many departments of the university took part in the process of attestation and how were they split into research subject areas?

Yuriy Khalavka: Generally, all the departments were assessed depending on the subject area, except for the Department of Military Mobilisation. Out of the fields that have received additional funding, there were 9 faculties and 33 departments: 17 – in humanities and arts and 16 – in the natural sciences and mathematics.

What is the total volume of funding provided to support the scientific sectors in accordance with the results of the attestation and how will it be distributed among them?

Yuriy Khalavka: The total funding amounts to 16.3 million hryvnias, with approximately 25 million hryvnias allocated to the humanities and arts sector, and 7.1 million hryvnias to the natural sciences and mathematics field.

What are the intended purposes for the funds received following the attestation?

Yuriy Khalavka: There are three main areas the funds will be allocated for: the implementation of salary supplements for the professors and scientists working at the attested faculties; the procurement of equipment; and the development of the institution. This implies the possibility to remunerate for certain services, support the organisational activity of the university, and cover part of the expenses.

How did individual results of departments and subdivisions affect the fund distribution and salary supplements for staff?

Ruslan Zaplitnyi: During the distribution of the funds, the Ministry considered three main factors: the number of Q1-level publications, the university’s young scientists, and grant activity. This data, previously verified by the system, was used during the assessment and evaluated according to the established formula. Depending on the department’s output, the top-up amount will range from 1,650 to 2,800 hryvnias. Accordingly, employees of the accredited departments will receive monthly supplements in 2026.

Yuriy Khalavka: It should be noted that we’re referring to academic and research staff. However, the Ministry established a set of restrictions. Specifically, postgraduate students, as well as employees on long-term business trips and paternal leave, are not eligible for this supplement. At the same, a provision is set aside for such individuals: this supplement will be paid upon their return. In total, these supplements will apply to more than 413 academic and research staff members of our university.

Ruslan Zaplitnyi: I would like to stress that this supplement will be provided in 2026. However, it might be increased, considering that the assessment of accomplishments is annual. Currently, the science and research division is working on entering the data into the URIS system. This includes the number of publications of the Q1 level, grant activity, and the number of young scientists – all data spanning the 2024-2025 period. Therefore, by the end of this year, the recount should be completed, and if the performance is high enough, the financial supplements will be increased for the department representatives, which encourages effectiveness and working consistency. Overall, we have been attested for the next 5 years, so funding is guaranteed, but its volume might change and depends on us. The better the results are, the better the financial opportunities are.

Yuriy Khalavka: The procurement of professional equipment is also expected to be funded. This year, we are planning to base our financial plan on the suggestions submitted by the faculties and departments over the past years. By May we will have planned out our budget for the reinforcement of the material resources and the fulfillment of the Academic Council’s decision as well as the Ministry’s requirements. This includes the procurement of high-value equipment for the next 4 years according to the requirements and reinforcement of the material base for the corresponding subject areas. It’s expected that the equipment will be shared and easily accessed.

Ruslan Zaplitnyi: I would like to stress the significance of the support of research staff. For instance, around 2 million hryvnias were allocated for the procurement of equipment for the field of humanities and arts.

Yuriy Khalavka: Considering that we didn’t know the final volume of funding, we were unable to make any plans until March. But now that it’s become clear that it’s going to stay in this range for the next years, we can effectively budget for the procurement of equipment and encourage the departments to submit their own suggestions and ideas. The estimated budget allocation for the humanities and arts sector is around 1.9 million hryvnias, and for the natural sciences and mathematics sector it is about 1.4 million hryvnias. Consequently, we have the option to acquire one high-value unit of equipment or multiple lower-cost positions.

Yuriy Khalavka: Funds provided for the development of the institution will be allocated for utility services and the procurement of research supplies for the area of natural sciences and mathematics as well as humanities and arts. This also includes the support of scientific publications and objects of shared use. We would like to support the technical workers responsible for the creation of layouts and release of publications, and purchase equipment to improve the energy efficiency of faculties.

Considering that this was the first time such a procedure had been carried out in Ukraine, we decided to take a rather conservative approach. In the future, we will have a better understanding of the general possibilities for utilising this type of funding, which will allow us to optimise the expenditure further on.

To conclude, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the faculties, institutions, departments, and faculty representatives for their involvement in the attestation, verification, and data collection. We also would like to thank the administration of the university, who made a huge contribution by helping with the statistics and financial data. Hopefully, our community will utilise these funds to the full potential to reach remarkable heights in the years to come.

The interview was conducted by the specialist
of the university’s Department of Communications and Branding Kseniia Popovych