Ukraines Scientists Receive a Funding Lifeline From Abroad

Larissa S. Brizhik didnt have to stay. Like many Ukrainian women and children, she could have fled the war zone. But as a department head at the Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics in Kyiv, responsible for a staff of seven, she decided to remain on the job.

Late last year, Dr. Brizhiks institution received a one-year grant of $165,000. The funds were part of a tranche of $1.2 million in grants by the Simons Foundation that was announced on Wednesday. Theyre meant to help sustain hundreds of Ukrainian scientists whose work was disrupted when Russia invaded their country last year. The foundation, which is based in New York City and supports many branches of basic science, was endowed by James and Marilyn Simons. Mr. Simons started Renaissance Technologies, a hedge fund also headquartered in New York.

In Dr. Brizhiks case, the money will support 53 researchers at the institute, where physicists study plasmas, elementary particles and astrophysical phenomena.

It shows that were not alone that there are people who care, Dr. Brizhik said of the funding. It helps a lot, she added, especially given the belt-tightening of wartime and the lure of foreign work to young scientists. For those who remain, therere not so many opportunities. This is really central for those who stay.