Науковиці

Women Led Science

This is an initiative that provides funding and public visibility for Ukrainian women scientists and research teams working on STEM research in Ukraine.

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The application period has ended

samples of documents for the application

About the initiative

Women Led Science — is a joint initiative by the NGO INSCIENCE, the technological philanthropy Tokarev Foundation, and the educational project STEM is FEM, created to provide systemic support for Ukrainian women scientists. We combine research funding, educational modules, and public communication to help women in science implement their projects and strengthen the visibility of women scientists in Ukraine and internationally.

The goal of the initiative

is to support Ukrainian women scientists conducting research in Ukraine, reduce financial barriers to research, and create sustainable conditions for the advancement of women in science in Ukraine.

Who can participate
in the program

Women-led research teams may apply if they:

are led by a woman with at least 5 years of experience in research;

include early-career researchers (1–5 years in science);

consist of 2–5 team members;

include at least 50% women in the team;

conduct their research in Ukraine..

To ensure a transparent and unbiased selection process, the following are not eligible to apply for the grant:

individuals who are not citizens of Ukraine;

research teams that include members of the selection committee or their relatives;

research teams that include employees of the organizing institutions — INSCIENCE, Tokarev Foundation, STEM is FEM, and UN Women in Ukraine — or their relatives.

In the event of a potential conflict of interest, the organizers reserve the right to make a final decision regarding the eligibility of an application.

Research areas eligible for the program:

Natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology);

Engineering and technology;

Medicine and health sciences;

Agricultural sciences and biotechnology;

Artificial intelligence and computer science;

Ecology and climate science.

Selection Criteria

No.

Criterion

Points

Research quality and novelty

Potential impact (on society and science)

Academic achievements (publications, conference participation, patents, etc.)

Quality of the application and research description

What selected teams will receive:

Research funding up to $10,000; (*Gross amount of the grant awarded;
Eligible applicants: sole proprietors (FOP), LLCs, NGOs, and research institutions)

An educational module
covering fundraising, intellectual property,
publishing in international journals,
and public communication;

Visibility and communication support;

The opportunity to present their-
project at the largest science-
communication event in Ukraine –
INSCIENCE Conference.

Оne of the grants will specifically support projects where AI plays a meaningful role in the research process — for example, in analyzing large datasets, building models, processing information, or optimizing research workflows.

Teams from any STEM field (including medicine, biotechnology, climate science, physics, and others) are welcome to apply, provided that AI tools are used as part of their research methodology. This refers to the application of existing AI solutions, rather than the mandatory development of new algorithms or models.

In your application, please briefly describe how AI is being used. If this was not specified previously, you are welcome to update or resubmit your application with the relevant details.

Expert Committee

The jury conducts an independent expert evaluation of submitted applications, ranks them, and selects research teams to participate in the program.

Nana Voitenko

is a Professor and Doctor of Biological Sciences, a researcher in the field of neuroscience. She serves as Rector of Dobrobut Academy, where she works on advancing innovative medical education in Ukraine. Her research interests include neuropathic pain, neuroimmune interactions, and regenerative medicine. She combines academic work with leadership, develops international partnerships, and actively supports women in science.

Tetiana Yaroshenko

is a PhD in History, Associate Professor, and Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine. She serves as Deputy Director for Research and International Cooperation at the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine and heads the Open Science Center. She has over 30 years of experience in academic and library management. Author of more than 100 publications, her work focuses on open science, scientometrics, and scholarly communication.

Lena Smuk

is a Senior Researcher at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden (Stockholm, Sweden), holding a PhD in Metal Physics. Her work focuses on materials recycling, particularly chemical and thermochemical recycling of polymers. She researches system-level solutions for resource-efficient and circular use of materials. Lena is actively involved in international, including EU-funded, research projects on sustainability and combines scientific work with research program management.

Anastasiia Dieieva

is the CEO of Tokarev Foundation, a technology-driven philanthropy advancing innovation and human capital development in Ukraine. She works at the intersection of education, healthcare, and technology, leading initiatives in EdTech and HealthTech. She has over 10 years of experience in public administration and social transformation. Previously, she served as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and as the National Coordinator of HeForShe in Ukraine.

Nataliia Shakhovska

is a Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, and Rector of Lviv Polytechnic National University, as well as the founder of the Department of Artificial Intelligence Systems. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence, information systems, and computer science. She leads international research projects funded by Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and DAAD. Author of more than 350 scientific publications, she has been ranked among the world’s top 2% most cited scientists according to Elsevier.

Aslihan Ozkan

Partnerships Specialist at UN Women Ukraine. She works on gender equality, strategic partnerships, innovation, and digital transformation. Leads initiatives focused on advancing women’s leadership and expanding women’s participation in emerging technologies, including the UN Women AI School. Has extensive experience in strategy development, resource mobilization, and international cooperation to support inclusive recovery in Ukraine.

PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED GRANT SUPPORT

NATALIIA STASIUK’S TEAM

Nataliia Stasiuk

Doctor of Biological Sciences and Senior Researcher at the Institute of Cell Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Olha Demkiv

PhD in Biology and Researcher at the Institute of Cell Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Uliana Pelypyshyn

PhD student at the Institute of Cell Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Petro Hupalo

Specialist in digital technologies and data analysis.

The team is working on new biosensors for the rapid detection of explosive compounds in the environment. The research combines biotechnology and AI tools to improve analytical accuracy and may help restore environmental safety in war-affected territories.

TETIANA ZAKHARCHENKO’S TEAM

Tetiana Zakharchenko

PhD in Physics and Mathematics and Director of the Center for Data, AI and Society at the Ukrainian Catholic University.

Viktoriia Makovska

PhD student at the Ukrainian Catholic University.

The team studies how AI systems behave after certain data — such as private information or stereotypical associations — are removed from them. The FairForget project will help identify hidden biases that may emerge after such “forgetting” and support the development of fairer AI systems for different groups of people.

OKSANA POPOVA’S TEAM

Oksana Popova

PhD student, surgeon, ultrasound physician, and founder of the ELLING Training Center NGO. She became the first surgeon from Ukraine to be elected a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Vanessa Fedirko

Master of Medicine and surgical intern at Kyiv Medical University.

The team is studying the innovative TRIDENT ultrasound protocol for the rapid diagnosis of combat-related trauma before a patient reaches the hospital. The project aims to improve medical care during the evacuation of wounded patients and increase the accuracy of initial diagnosis.

Program Implementation Timeline

March

launch of the
applications process

June

announcement of
selection
results

June

participation in the
INSCIENCE Conference

July–
October

project
implementation
mentoring support

November

collection of
project results

November–
December

public
communication
of research
results

Budget

Project funding for each team:

up to $10,000*

*Gross amount of the grant awarded

What the funding
covers:

Equipment and materials;

Reagents and consumables;

Access to paid platforms, applications, and databases;

Travel and research trips;

Team compensation;

інші обґрунтовані дослідницькі витрати.

Apply

The application period has ended

FAQ

Do participants need to be in Ukraine for the entire program?

It is important that the research/project is conducted in Ukraine and that the team carries out their scientific work locally. However, team members may participate in international trips, internships, and similar activities.

How many teams will be selected?

Between 1 and 3 teams. The exact number will be determined during the selection process.

Are interdisciplinary projects allowed?

Yes, interdisciplinary research is welcome.

Is remote participation allowed?

Most participation formats are conducted online. Research can be carried out in any region of Ukraine; however, full or partial in-person participation of the team at the final presentation event in Kyiv is required.

Are there any requirements for budget allocation (salaries, equipment, services, publications)?

There is no fixed distribution of budget categories in the program. What matters most is that all expenses are well-justified and aligned with the needs of your research. For example, if purchasing reagents or equipment is critical for your project, this should be clearly reflected in the budget.
The only limitation is that administrative costs must not exceed 15% of the total project budget.
We also recommend not allocating funds for publication fees, as the program primarily focuses on research implementation. Selected teams will receive additional guidance and support regarding publication opportunities.

Is research experience during a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree considered?

We calculate research experience starting from the completion of a Master’s degree. However, your earlier experience (such as publications, participation in projects, internships, etc.) can and should be included in your application.

Can a team consist of two people—a female lead and one male member?

Yes, this team composition is eligible. The key requirement is that the team is women-led (headed by a woman) and that at least 50% of the team members are women.

Is it mandatory to follow the proposed project timeline template (June–November 2026)?

The program runs from June to November 2026, with final presentations taking place in December. Therefore, your work plan should cover this period.
You are welcome to adapt the stages, add more detail, or adjust the structure of the plan according to the specifics of your research.

Is having an academic degree required to participate?

No, an academic degree is not a mandatory requirement.
However, academic achievements (including publications, conference participation, research experience, etc.) are taken into account during the selection process. Therefore, holding a degree may be an advantage, but it is not a determining factor.

Are there any restrictions regarding previous collaboration with program partners or organizers?

Restrictions apply only to current employment. At the time of application, team members must not be employed by the program organizers (INSCIENCE, Tokarev Foundation, STEM is FEM, UN Women in Ukraine).
Previous collaboration, participation in programs, partnerships, or other affiliations do not disqualify applicants.

Who should submit the application?

The application can be submitted by any member of the team.

Do we need to provide CVs for all team members?

Yes, CVs of all team members must be included in the application.

How should taxes be accounted for in the budget?

Taxes should be included within the relevant budget line items—that is, added to the cost of goods or services.
Please note that the total grant amount (up to $10,000 / approx. UAH 425,000) is specified before taxes, so all taxes must be covered within this budget.
You can provide detailed breakdowns in the budget file attached to your application.

Do we need to open a separate account for the grant, and how should financial reporting be handled?

Yes, teams are required to open a separate bank account for receiving and managing grant funds. This ensures transparency and simplifies financial tracking.
All income and expenses related to the grant must be clearly traceable, identifiable, and available for review if needed.
The team is responsible for maintaining proper financial and accounting records. We recommend setting up a clear and convenient accounting system from the start to avoid difficulties during reporting.