As reported by Open4business, Ukrainian universities join of the European initiative European Researchers' Night, which this year will take place on September 25. In particular, Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University will hold the "Night of Science 2026" on this day, and Lviv Polytechnic coordinates a separate project European Researchers' Night 2026-2027 within the Horizon Europe program.
As reported by Zaporizhia Polytechnic, "Night of Science 2026" will be held on September 25 at the university and will be primarily aimed at schoolchildren, future students and young people. The program includes interactive experiments, scientific demonstrations, a children's scientific conference and international events with the participation of foreign partners. The event will be held taking into account the security situation, the university notes the availability of shelters.
A separate international conference within the "Night of Science" is also planned for September 25. Scientists from European universities should join it.
In addition, Ukraine is represented for the first time at this level by a separate project in the European Researchers' Night program. Lviv Polytechnic became the coordinator of the international project STEM for Science, Technology, Awareness & Researchers (STEM4STAR), selected for funding within
European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools 2026-2027 Horizon Europe program.
According to the university, 241 applications from different European countries were submitted to the competition, funding was recommended for 49 projects. STEM4STAR received the maximum evaluations of experts in all criteria. The project envisages holding scientific festivals, European Researchers' Night events, demonstrations of modern technologies, geospatial games, map challenges, mapathons, STEM programs and startup competitions in Lviv. Separate classes should also be held in schools and colleges of Western Ukraine.
European Researchers' Night is a pan-European initiative funded by the EU through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. In 2026, the main event will take place on September 25. According to the European Research Council, more than 1 million participants are expected in approximately 40 countries. Universities and scientific institutions conduct open laboratories, experiments, science shows, discussions, exhibitions and interactive events for a wide audience.
