14th International Conference “Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials” NANO 2026
Looking back at NANO-2026 – the 14th International Conference “Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials”, held on 26–28 August in Chernivtsi, we would like to highlight an important dimension of the conference that strongly reflects the mission of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Ukraine Consortium: supporting innovation and helping Ukrainian research and technology teams connect with European opportunities.
Two special sessions organized as part of NANO-2026 focused specifically on this transition — from scientific excellence to innovation, international cooperation, funding and practical implementation.
The high-level session “The Role of Science and Innovation in Ukraine’s Recovery and European Integration” brought together representatives of the European Commission’s DG Research & Innovation, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, UNESCO and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
The discussion covered Ukraine’s integration into the European Research Area, reforms of the national research and innovation ecosystem, research infrastructure, support for young scientists, international cooperation, and new opportunities for Ukrainian researchers and innovators.
We were particularly honoured to welcome Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation at the European Commission’s DG Research & Innovation, who presented the European Commission’s support for science and innovation, including Horizon Europe, research and innovation infrastructures, technology transfer, new opportunities for Ukrainian researchers and innovators, support for technology investment and commercialisation, and access to new international markets.
Together with European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), researchers, startups, SMEs and research institutions can receive support throughout the innovation journey:
Research → Funding → Testing & Validation → Technology Transfer → International Partnerships → Market
For the EEN-Ukraine Consortium, supporting innovation means more than helping companies grow. It also means helping them find the right partners, applications and pathways towards real economic and societal impact.
This is particularly important for Ukraine today, where strong scientific expertise needs to be connected more effectively with European innovation ecosystems, industries, investors and international research partnerships.
We sincerely thank the European Commission, DG Research & Innovation, Maria Cristina Russo, UNESCO, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the
