European research area: a new stage of development and opportunities for integration of Ukraine in the war and post-war periods

Ukraine's European integration aspirations, granting our state the status of a candidate for EU membership, as well as the need for financial, technological, managerial, and other assistance from the EU, in particular in the post-war restoration of the field of research and innovation, actualize the task of accelerating its integration into European Research Area (ERA). The article aims to analyze the current stage of development of the European Research Area in the context of the new strategic goals of the EU and, considering this and the war conflict in Ukraine, to identify opportunities for expanding cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of research and innovation, deepening its integration into the ERA as a source of post-war reconstruction, stabilization and advanced innovative development of the national economy. It is shown that the war unleashed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine led to the formation of a new normal in international scientific cooperation and served as a trigger for the development of a self-sufficient pan-European innovation ecosystem that would more closely connect science and industry and be able to solve global challenges. The essence of a new European Innovation Agenda is highlighted, in the implementation of which the central place is given to the European Research Area. An idea of the ERA and the main results of its implementation in the EU over twenty years are revealed. The features of the current stage of development of the ERA and its priorities in the context of the new strategic agenda of the EU are defined. An analysis was made of the fundamental documents that should guide the EU member states in the field of research and innovation – a Pact for research and innovation and the ERA policy agenda for the period 2022-2024. The key features of the current program period of the EU development are identified. The article focuses on the main tools and initiatives aimed at bringing the EU closer to its strategic goals: smart specialisation strategies, mission-oriented innovation policy, Partnerships for regional innovations. According to the results of summarizing the initiatives in support of Ukrainian scientists and innovative entrepreneurs, introduced by the European Commission in response to the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, taking into account the new strategic plans and goals of the EU in the context of global geopolitical changes, opportunities were identified and proposals were made to expand cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in research and innovation during the war and post-war periods. Their implementation will make it possible to increase Ukrainian presence in the ERA as a condition for ensuring its post-war innovative growth and prosperity for the long term.