Strategy for Scientific and Innovative Development
of the National Aerospace University
«Kharkiv Aviation Institute» for 2026–2030
Approved:
by the Academic Council
of the National Aerospace University
«Kharkiv Aviation Institute»
Minutes No. 11 dated May 27, 2026
Enacted by Rector's Order No. 223 dated May 27, 2026
General Principles
In the modern world, science and technology are key drivers of societal development, ensuring economic competitiveness, national security, and the resilience of states. It is scientific research and engineering development that form the foundation of technological sovereignty, determining a state's capacity to respond to global challenges, ensure defense capabilities, modernize the economy, and create new high-tech industries.
Under martial law and the future post-war recovery of Ukraine, the role of technical universities is increasing significantly. Modern challenges require not only the preservation of scientific potential but also the formation of a new model of scientific activity based on the priority of fundamental research. This research must be integrated into the global doctrinal and innovative context while simultaneously being capable of setting vectors and responding to the needs of applied engineering developments, digital technologies, and science-intensive defense solutions.
The National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute» (hereinafter – the University, KhAI) is one of the leading centers of engineering education and science in the field of aviation, aerospace, radioelectronic, energy, digital, and security technologies. KhAI possesses unique experience in creating complex engineering systems, developing dual-use technologies, and conducting research aimed at ensuring the state's defense capability, developing industry, and the technological sector of the economy.
A distinctive feature of the University's scientific activity is the combination of fundamental science, engineering creativity, applied research, and interaction with the state, business, and the international scientific community. Scientific research at KhAI covers a wide range of areas – from the creation of aerospace structures and unmanned systems, engine building, and aviation materials science, artificial intelligence tools and technologies, intelligent control systems, and digital transformation of industry to the development of modern cybersecurity systems, communications, and remote sensing from aerospace platforms, energy and economics, law and sociology, as well as other research directions addressing urgent problems of ensuring Ukraine's resilience in repelling Russian armed aggression and post-war recovery.
At the same time, the modern scientific environment operates under significant challenges related to military risks, infrastructure damage, personnel losses, the need to increase the international competitiveness of research, integration into the European Research Area, and the creation and implementation of an effective model of interaction between science, the state, and high-tech business. Particular challenges remain the necessity of ensuring the continuity and development of scientific schools, increasing the volume of grant funding, the debureaucratization of scientific activity, and the commercialization of research results.
Despite the difficult conditions, KhAI maintains high scientific potential, develops international partnerships, supports young scientists, builds a modern research infrastructure, and strengthens its participation in international research grant programs. KhAI views science as a strategic foundation for the technological development of the state, the formation of an innovative economy, and the creation of solutions necessary for the security, recovery, and sustainable development of Ukraine.
The Strategy for Scientific and Innovative Development of KhAI is aimed at shaping a competitive scientific environment within the University, integrated into the European Research Area and oriented towards ensuring the technological and innovative development of the state amidst post-war transformation.
The Strategy for Scientific and Innovative Development of KhAI defines systematic approaches to improving the quality of research, the efficiency of using scientific potential, and ensuring the practical implementation of the results of scientific activity.
The Strategy for Scientific and Innovative Development is derived from the general University Development Strategy until 2030 and defines institutional mechanisms for achieving strategic goals in the field of science, research, innovation, and international scientific integration, and has been developed in accordance with:
- Law of Ukraine dated 26.11.2015 No. 848-VIII “On Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activity”;
- Law of Ukraine dated 01.07.2014 No. 1556-VII “On Higher Education”;
- Law of Ukraine dated 08.09.2011 No. 3715-VI “On Priority Directions of Innovative Activity in Ukraine”;
- Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 30.12.2015 No. 1187 “On Approval of Licensing Conditions for Educational Activities”;
- Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated February 23, 2022 No. 286-r “On Approval of the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in Ukraine for 2022-2032”;
- Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 31.12.2024 No. 1351-r “On Approval of the Strategy for Digital Development of Innovative Activity in Ukraine for the Period until 2030 and Approval of the Operational Action Plan for its Implementation in 2025–2027”;
- Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 21.10.2024 No. 1485 “On State Attestation of Scientific Institutions and Higher Education Institutions regarding the Conduct of Scientific (Scientific-Technical) Activity by such Institutions”;
- Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 31.12.2025 No. 1732 “On Approval of the Roadmap for Ukraine's Integration into the European Research Area for the Period until 2027”.
Mission
To create a leading scientific environment where fundamental and applied research, engineering creativity, and innovation shape the technological future of Ukraine, strengthen its defense capability, and ensure post-war recovery and sustainable development.
Vision
National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute» is a leading research center in the field of aerospace, engineering, and digital technologies that shapes an innovative ecosystem at the intersection of science, education, government, and business, ensures the development of interdisciplinary research, international scientific integration, and the creation of technological solutions for the security, recovery, and sustainable development of Ukraine.
Goals
Ensuring a high level of scientific activity at KhAI by means of:
- concentrating resources on priority areas of KhAI's scientific activity;
- developing research infrastructure;
- integrating science, education, and innovation into the European Research Area;
- strengthening international cooperation;
- focusing on practical results (impact);
- supporting young scientists and developing human scientific potential;
- developing the system for commercialization of research results and technology transfer;
- focusing on the practical implementation of research results and their social, economic, and technological impact;
- ensuring the creation of scientific and technological solutions for the defense capability, security, and post-war recovery of Ukraine.
Principles of Quality Assurance in Scientific Activity
Innovativeness – supporting new scientific ideas and technologies.
Resilience – ensuring the continuity of research amidst wartime challenges.
Leadership – shaping advanced scientific directions.
Interdisciplinarity – integration of different fields of knowledge.
Practical orientation – transfer/implementation of research results into production, the educational process, and innovative activities.
Academic integrity – adherence to ethical standards.
Open Science – implementing FAIR principles for research data, creating an open repository.
International integration – participation in global scientific processes.
Human-centricity – creating a scientific environment oriented towards the development of human potential, support for young scientists, academic freedom, professional growth, and psychological safety of research process participants.
Responsible Use of Scientific Activity Metrics
Evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of the scientific activity of KhAI and its staff is carried out based on a combination of quantitative metrics, expert assessment, and consideration of the specific characteristics of scientific fields.
The system of indicators is used for:
- monitoring the status of scientific activity;
- preparing for the state attestation of scientific activity;
- increasing the competitiveness of KhAI in international rankings;
- strengthening participation in national and international grant programs;
- identifying strong and promising scientific directions;
- supporting scientific schools, young scientists, and interdisciplinary research teams.
Evaluation of scientific activity is carried out taking into account field-specific features, personnel potential, the nature of research, the level of international cooperation, the practical realization or implementation of results, and their social, economic, technological, and security impact.
No single indicator, including the number of publications, journal quartile, h-index, funding volume, or number of patents, is used as the sole criterion for evaluating the quality of the scientific activity of a department, research groups and teams, or an individual scientist.
Priority Directions of Scientific Activity
Priority directions of KhAI's scientific activity are formed taking into account the strategic needs of the state, global technological trends, the development of the aerospace industry, the tasks of ensuring Ukraine's defense capability, and integration into the European Research Area.
In particular, the priority directions at KhAI are:
- aerospace structures and technologies;
- aircraft engines and energy systems;
- composite materials and additive technologies;
- unmanned aerial vehicles and heterogeneous mobile systems;
- artificial intelligence systems and tools;
- cybersecurity, functional safety, and dependability;
- mathematical and simulation modeling;
- mixed reality technologies, big data, and human-machine cooperation;
- space technologies and remote sensing systems;
- defense and security technologies;
- ensuring the strength, life cycle resource, and survivability of aerospace structures and weapons systems;
- development of “Digital Twins” technologies for modeling the strength of structures, aircraft engines, and complex systems;
- energy efficiency and alternative energy in the aerospace industry;
- environmental safety, circular economy, and sustainable development;
- mechanisms for the transformation of Ukraine's post-war economy;
- architecture for secure post-war socio-economic development of regions;
- financial resilience and crisis management of economic systems;
- legal assurance of resilience, security, and development of aviation industry enterprises and other critical infrastructure objects.
Challenges to the Development of Scientific Activity
The contemporary development of scientific activity at KhAI occurs under complex structural, technological, personnel, and security challenges that affect the functioning of the research environment, the international competitiveness of science, and KhAI's capacity to ensure the technological development of the state.
Structural and Systemic Challenges:
- asynchrony between the pace of global technological development and the pace of transformation of the national scientific environment;
- long-term consequences of deindustrialization and the weakening of scientific and technological schools;
- diminishing role of long-term fundamental research in favor of short-term applied results;
- growing bureaucratic burden on scientific, academic, and research staff;
- insufficient level of integration of science, business, and innovation into the economic sector;
- intensification of global competition for scientific personnel, research resources, and international funding.
Personnel and Demographic Challenges:
- outflow of young scientists and talented youth abroad and to safer regions of Ukraine;
- weakening of human resource potential as a result of migration processes;
- declining motivation for a scientific career among the younger generation;
- loss of continuity in scientific schools;
- insufficient involvement of young scientists in international research activities.
War-Induced Challenges:
- damage to scientific and laboratory infrastructure as a result of armed aggression;
- disruption of the stability of the scientific process and the implementation of long-term research;
- significant psychological pressure and emotional burnout among participants in scientific activity;
- increased risks for the functioning of scientific and research centers in the frontline region.
Strategic Tasks
Development of Research and Innovation Activity:
1. Identify and support priority research directions in the field of aviation, aerospace, engineering, digital, intelligent, and security technologies.
2. Create interdisciplinary research teams to solve complex scientific and technological problems.
3. Develop research infrastructure, including modern laboratories, testing facilities, and digital modeling platforms.
4. Increase the volume of external and grant funding for scientific research, including through attracting investments and participating in state and regional investment projects.
5. Support the publication activity of scientists in leading international scientific journals.
6. Develop the system for commercialization of research results, technology transfer, and innovative entrepreneurship.
7. Create a support system for inventive activity, patenting, and intellectual property protection.
8. Stimulate the creation of dual-use technologies and solutions to ensure the state's defense capability.
Development of the Research Environment and Human Potential:
1. Establish a modern research environment for the professional development of young scientists, postgraduate students, and doctoral candidates by implementing a system of scientific incubators and supporting research initiatives.
2. Introduce a project-oriented system for training postgraduate students and doctoral candidates in accordance with the priority needs of the state and economy.
3. Stimulate the involvement of students at all levels of education, as well as young scientists, in research and innovation activities.
4. Foster a culture of academic integrity, open science, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
5. Develop a system of internal support for scientific projects, publications, and international mobility.
6. Reduce the bureaucratic burden on scientific, academic, and research staff.
Integration into the International Scientific Space:
1. Strengthen KhAI's participation in international scientific projects, consortia, and grant programs.
2. Expand the network of strategic partnerships with leading universities and research centers worldwide.
3. Develop the academic mobility of students, young researchers, and scientists.
4. Expand KhAI's participation in international scientific networks, professional associations, and technological alliances.
5. Increase the international visibility of KhAI through scientific publications, conferences, international rankings, and open science practices.
Development of Interaction between Science, Government, and Business:
1. Expand the system of strategic partnerships with enterprises in the aviation, defense, IT, energy, and mechanical engineering industries.
2. Create industry-specific engineering and research centers jointly with enterprises, institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and government structures.
3. Form regional technology clusters in cooperation with business, government authorities, and scientific institutions.
4. Ensure the integration of scientific research results into the real sector of the economy and the post-war recovery processes of Ukraine.
Scientific Activity Quality Assurance System
Main Groups of Scientific Activity Quality Metrics
1. Publication Activity and Quality of Scientific Results
- number of publications in journals indexed by Scopus and Web of Science scientometric databases;
- number and share of publications in Q1–Q2 quartile journals;
- number of publications in high-ranking international journals in the respective fields of knowledge;
- number of monographs, chapters in collective monographs, scientific reports, technical documentation, and other results corresponding to the specifics of scientific directions;
- number of publications with international co-authorship;
- number of publications prepared based on the results of national and international scientific projects.
2. Citation and Scientific Impact:
- total number of citations of KhAI publications;
- citation metrics in Scopus / Web of Science scientometric databases;
- h-index of KhAI, scientific directions, and research teams;
- number of publications among the most cited in the respective fields of knowledge;
- citation dynamics of publications by scientific directions;
- level of international visibility of scientific results.
3. Human Resource Potential:
- number of academic, research, and scientific staff involved in scientific activity;
- number of staff with scientific degrees;
- number of staff with academic titles;
- share of young scientists and researchers within research teams;
- number of higher education students of all levels (students, postgraduate students, and doctoral candidates) involved in scientific projects.
- number of dissertations defended personally or under scientific supervision (advising);
- participation of young scientists, researchers, and students of all levels of education (students, postgraduate students, and doctoral candidates) in international internships, schools, conferences, and research projects.
4. Funding of Scientific Research:
- total volume of funding for scientific and scientific-technical activity;
- volume of funding from the state budget;
- volume of funding from international grant programs;
- volume of funding from commercial contract research (hostpdogovirni roboty);
- volume of revenues to the special fund based on the results of providing scientific services;
- number of submitted and supported applications to the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Horizon Europe, NATO Science for Peace and Security, COST, Erasmus+, and other programs;
- share of scientific applications that passed internal expertise before submission.
5. Innovation Activity and Technology Transfer:
- number of patent applications;
- number of received patents, certificates, and protective titles;
- number of license agreements;
- number of created prototypes, demonstrators, and technological solutions;
- number of developments with Technology Readiness Levels TRL 4–7;
- number of implemented technologies;
- number of contracts with enterprises, government institutions, and organizations;
- number of startups, etc.;
- volume of income from the commercialization of research results, scientific services, and technological products.
6. Research Infrastructure:
- number of active laboratories, research centers, and testing facilities;
- number of established or modernized competence centers;
- level of renewal of the research material and technical base;
- availability of digital platforms for modeling, data processing, and research support;
- number of interdepartmental and interdisciplinary research teams;
- accessibility of the research infrastructure for students, postgraduate students, young scientists, and partners.
7. International Scientific Activity:
- number of international scientific projects;
- number of international partnership agreements yielding real scientific results;
- number of publications with international co-authorship;
- number of joint research groups with foreign partners;
- participation in international scientific networks, professional associations, and technological alliances;
- academic mobility of researchers and students of all levels of education;
- participation of KhAI in international rankings and enhancement of international visibility metrics;
- number of organized conferences and workshops (acting as chairs / co-chairs / members of international organizing and program committees), with submitted papers being indexed in scientometric databases.
8. Open Science and FAIR Data:
- number of open-access publications;
- number of research datasets made publicly or control-access available;
- number of datasets prepared in accordance with FAIR principles;
- number of datasets with a DOI or other persistent identifier;
- number of research projects with a Data Management Plan;
- number of open-source software codes, digital models, technical documentation, and other digital research results;
- development of the KhAI institutional repository.
9. Expert and Socially Significant Activity:
- participation in the expert evaluation of national and international scientific projects;
- participation in expert panels, commissions, working groups of the Ministry of Education and Science, other state authorities, international organizations, and professional associations;
- participation in specialized academic councils and procedures for awarding scientific degrees;
- preparation of expert opinions, analytical materials, policy briefs, and recommendations for the state, business, and communities;
- participation in the development of standards, regulatory documents, industry recommendations, and strategic documents;
- implementation of KhAI's scientific results into the defense capability, security, post-war recovery, and sustainable development of Ukraine.
Tools for Scientific Activity Quality Assurance
- internal system for the evaluation of scientific activity;
- KPI system for departments and researchers;
- regular monitoring of results;
- internal competitions for scientific projects;
- support for publications in international journals;
- involvement of external experts.
Ensuring the Effectiveness of Scientific Activity (Impact)
1. Main Directions:
- development of defense technologies;
- participation in the restoration of Ukraine's infrastructure;
- development of the aerospace industry and other critical sectors;
- integration with industry.
2. Effectiveness Metrics (Impact):
- implemented technologies;
- participation in state and international projects;
- increased revenues from the commercialization of scientific services and products.
3. Development of the Research Environment:
- creation of interdisciplinary research teams;
- support for young scientists;
- development of a research culture;
- integration of students into scientific activity;
- development of innovative entrepreneurship.
Management of Scientific Activity
- Rector;
- Academic Council;
- Vice-Rector for Research;
- Scientific and Technical Council;
- Research and Development Department;
- Project (Grant) Office;
- research clusters.
Monitoring and Performance Evaluation
- annual metrics analysis;
- internal audit of scientific activity;
- evaluation of departments;
- ranking of academic and research staff (NPP).
Expected Results by 2030
- growth in the number and citation level of publications;
- increase in international funding volumes;
- development of innovation infrastructure;
- advancement of KhAI's positions in rankings;
- strengthening KhAI's role as an aerospace and high-tech R&D center.
KPIs for Securing the Scientific and Innovation Development of KhAI
| No. | Target Metrics of Performance, Effectiveness, and Quality of the University's Scientific Activity | Deadline |
| 1 | Development and approval of the Open Science Strategy | 31.12.2026 |
| 2 | Improvement of the University management automation system through further: – simplification of scientific reporting; – development of the scientific library repository. |
31.12.2027 31.12.2028 |
| 3 | Increase in the volume of revenues to the University's special fund from scientific and scientific-technical activities under commercial contracts and from the provision of scientific services compared to the previous year, in constant 2026 prices: – based on the results of 2026 – by 500 thousand UAH; – based on the results of 2027 – by 1,000 thousand UAH; – based on the results of 2028 – by 1,000 thousand UAH; – based on the results of 2029 – by 1,300 thousand UAH; – based on the results of 2030 – by 1,500 thousand UAH. |
31.12.2026 31.12.2027 31.12.2028 31.12.2029 31.12.2030 |
| 4 | Increase in the number of category “A” scientific journals (from the List of Scientific Specialized Publications of Ukraine) published by the University: – by 1 journal by the end of 2029; – by 1 journal by the end of 2030. |
31.12.2029 31.12.2030 |
| 5 | Increase in the number of publications in foreign periodicals of OECD countries compared to the previous year: – based on the results of 2026 – by 1%; – based on the results of 2027 – by 1%; – based on the results of 2028 – by 2%; – based on the results of 2029 – by 2%; – based on the results of 2030 – by 2%. |
31.12.2026 31.12.2027 31.12.2028 31.12.2029 31.12.2030 |
| Quality and Effectiveness of Scientific Research | ||
| 6 | Increase in the average citation index (h-index) of the University relative to the baseline value of 2025: – based on the results of 2026 – by 5%; – based on the results of 2027 – by 7%; – based on the results of 2028 – by 9%; – based on the results of 2029 – by 11%; – based on the results of 2030 – by 12%. |
31.12.2026 31.12.2027 31.12.2028 31.12.2029 31.12.2030 |
| 7 | Number of publications in Q1–Q2 quartile journals (according to Scimago Journal & Country Rank): – not less than 10% of the total number of publications indexed by Scopus/WoS databases. |
31.12.2030 |
| 8 | Number of patents (including international ones, PCT) – not less than 10 per year. |
31.12.2030 |
| 9 | Number of technologies brought to the TRL 6 level – not less than 5 developments. |
31.12.2030 |
| International Scientific Integration | ||
| 10 | Share of teachers and scientists involved in international educational or research projects – not less than 30% of the total number of academic and research staff (NPP). |
31.12.2030 |
| 11 | Increase in the volume of international funding – by not less than 25%. |
31.12.2030 |
| 12 | Number of activities in research funding competitions such as Horizon Europe / NATO / ESA – not less than 5 project applications annually. |
31.12.2030 |
| 13 | Number of university activities in international technological alliances, consortia, and research initiatives – not less than 10 activities. |
31.12.2030 |
| Innovation and Commercialization of Science | ||
| 14 | Number of joint R&D projects with industry (including the defense sector) – not less than 12 projects annually. |
31.12.2030 |
| 15 | Number of created startups, including deep-tech – not less than 10 units annually. |
31.12.2030 |
| 16 | Increase in revenues from technology commercialization – by not less than 5% annually. |
31.12.2030 |
| Science for Defense Capability and Recovery of Ukraine | ||
| 17 | Number of technological solutions for the defense capability and recovery of Ukraine – not less than 5 implemented solutions. |
31.12.2030 |
| 18 | Participation in state recovery and industrialization programs – not less than 5 projects. |
31.12.2030 |
Concluding Principles
The implementation of the Strategy for Scientific and Innovative Development of the National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute” will contribute to the formation of a modern, competitive scientific environment integrated into the European and global research areas.
The implementation of the Strategy will ensure:
- increasing the quality and international competitiveness of scientific research;
- effective utilization of KhAI's scientific, human, and infrastructural potential;
- development of modern research and innovation infrastructure;
- increase in the volumes of international grant funding and participation in global scientific projects;
- development of a system for the commercialization of research results and technology transfer;
- strengthening KhAI's role as a leading aerospace, engineering, and info-technological R&D center in Ukraine;
- creation of scientific and technological solutions to ensure the state's defense capability, security, and post-war recovery;
- development of human capital, support for young scientists, and the formation of a new research culture;
- integration of KhAI into international scientific networks, technological alliances, and the European Research Area.
The Strategy serves as an adaptive management tool for KhAI's scientific and innovative development, providing for regular monitoring, performance evaluation, and updating of its provisions in response to global technological changes, security challenges, and strategic needs of the state.