Ukraine plans to introduce five types of grants as a new mechanism of state support for higher education. At the same time, state-funded places will remain, and grants will help pay for contract students' education. The draft law is already being prepared for the second reading in the Verkhovna Rada.
- The Verkhovna Rada is considering a law on 5 types of educational grants.
- Grants do not cancel state-funded places, but supplement them.
- The number of state-funded places will be determined by the labour market forecast.
- The main rules will take effect from 1 January 2027.
Legislative implementation of grants in higher education
The Verkhovna Rada is preparing to adopt draft law No. 10399, which will establish five types of grants at the legislative level as a new instrument of financial support for higher education students. Deputy Minister of Education and Science Nikolay Trofimenko said that this mechanism will complement, not replace, the state-funded places that will remain available on a competitive basis.
Types of grants and their purpose
The draft law defines five categories of grants: academic grants for applicants with high EIT scores or NMT; special grants for artistic or sporting achievements; social grants for vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people; Heroes' grants for combatants, people with war-related disabilities and those affected by the Revolution of Dignity; and a separate grant for training reserve officers.
Pilot project and its results
The pilot grant programme has covered more than 25,000 students, with the average grant amounting to UAH 23,600. Such demand demonstrates the relevance and necessity of introducing a new support mechanism, said Mykola Trofymenko.
Identification of budget places based on market needs
The number of state-funded places in higher education institutions will be determined on the basis of a forecast of labour market needs. To this end, an information and analytical system will be created to collect and analyse relevant data. Training specialists for the country's security and defence will remain a priority.
Gradual implementation and the possibility of repeated training
The changes will be introduced in stages: the rules on academic grants will come into force one month after the law is published, and the main provisions of the new funding model will take effect from 1 January 2027. The law also provides for the possibility of repeatedly obtaining the same degree of higher education at public expense for persons who have previously studied on a state-funded basis.
