Science Day in Ukraine: How Much Will Scientists Earn in 2026?
Every year on the third Saturday in May, Ukraine celebrates Science Day. In 2026, the holiday falls on May 16. This is an opportunity to take stock of developments in the scientific community and assess its financial status.
The holiday was established in 1997 following the signing of a presidential decree at the initiative of scientists and labor unions.
Separately, the world observes World Science Day for Peace and Development, which falls on November 10.
Ukraine’s scientific system remains one of the largest in the region, with an extensive network of institutions and human resources. Thousands of doctors of science and tens of thousands of candidates of science work in the country.
According to labor market data, the average salary in the scientific sector is approximately 12,000–18,000 UAH, depending on the institution and specialization. Young scientists at the start of their careers earn about 10,000–12,000 UAH.
By comparison, the average salary in central government agencies in 2025 reached nearly 60,000 UAH, demonstrating a significant gap with the scientific sector.
At the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NAS), official salaries in 2026 remain relatively low:
- NAS President — 22,463 UAH
- Vice President — 21,439 UAH
- Academic Secretary — 19,312 UAH
- senior research fellow — approximately 15,000 UAH
- Senior Research Fellow — 13,800–14,200 UAH
- Researcher — 12,000–12,700 UAH
- minimum salary in the NAS system — 8,647 UAH
Bonuses significantly affect total income. A 15% bonus is provided for the degree of Candidate of Sciences, and 25% for Doctor of Sciences. For the academic ranks of associate professor and professor, the bonuses are 25% and 33%, respectively. There is also a seniority bonus of up to 30%.
In 2026, the government plans to gradually increase researchers’ salaries by up to 50% using the “30% + 20%” model. Additionally, funding is provided based on performance evaluation results, with potential bonuses of up to 10,000 UAH per month for the most productive employees.
A draft law is also being considered that could set the minimum salary for research and teaching staff at 30,000 UAH. In this case, the salaries of lecturers and professors could increase severalfold.
The highest incomes for researchers come from international projects and collaboration with the business sector. In such cases, salaries can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of hryvnias per month in large engineering or research projects.
Separately, specialists in data and IT have significantly higher incomes: median salaries for Data Engineers exceed $3,500, while in non-IT sectors they are several times lower.
Despite this, the base salary in state-funded research remains one of the lowest in the public sector, leading to a significant brain drain to the private sector.
As a reminder, on May 15, Orthodox Christians honored St. Pachomius the Great, whom the people associate with the arrival of true spring warmth. This day has ancient religious roots and is accompanied by traditions and customs that have developed over centuries.
