Members of the Initiative of the Ukrainian Science Diaspora participated in a webinar organized by The Diaspora Institute, *“Raising Investment from Your Diaspora,”* which explored how diaspora communities can become long-term national assets through structured investment approaches rather than ad-hoc engagement.
A central concept of the webinar was Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI), framed as a “capital of consistency.” This approach challenges the perception of diaspora members as dispersed or occasional contributors and instead positions them as stable partners in national development. For the Ukrainian science diaspora, this idea resonates strongly: scientists abroad already represent a form of intellectual, social, and reputational capital that can be mobilized systematically for Ukraine’s benefit.
The webinar emphasized the need to build pipelines, not contact lists. In the context of a science diaspora, this means moving beyond informal academic connections toward sustainable mechanisms that support research and innovation in Ukraine. Such pipelines may include investment in research infrastructure, support for early-career researchers, science-based startups, technology transfer initiatives, and long-term international research collaborations.
An important point was the role of minor investors. Many diaspora members may not be traditional investors, but they are willing to contribute smaller amounts when clear rules, transparency, and shared goals are in place. For scientists and researchers abroad, this creates an opportunity to combine modest financial contributions with expertise, mentorship, and international networks - multiplying the overall impact on Ukraine’s scientific ecosystem.
The discussion also highlighted trust and institutional coordination as critical success factors. For the Ukrainian Science Diaspora, this aligns with ongoing efforts to formalize engagement, strengthen links between global Ukrainian researchers and institutions in Ukraine, and ensure that diaspora contributions support long-term scientific resilience rather than short-term interventions.
Participation in this webinar reinforced the understanding that diaspora investment is not limited to financial capital alone. When applied to science, Diaspora Direct Investment becomes a tool for sustaining research capacity, fostering innovation, and integrating Ukraine more deeply into the global knowledge economy—an especially important task in times of crisis and recovery.