BridgeUSA UPRR by the U.S. Embassy: a one-month academic visit to a U.S. university for lecturers and researchers of Ukrainian universities, apply by 15 November

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, in cooperation with American Councils for International Education, has opened applications for the BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (BridgeUSA UPRR). The program provides Ukrainian university lecturers and researchers with a one-month academic fellowship at a higher education institution in the United States.

The initiative is funded by the U.S. Embassy Kyiv with additional contributions from U.S. host institutions, though specific financial award totals per participant are not publicly specified. The deadline to submit applications is November 15, 2026, with exchange visits scheduled to take place during spring and summer 2027.

What is funded

The fellowship supports a one-month academic placement at a host university in the United States. During the visit, scholars can conduct research, observe classroom instruction in their academic areas, and develop new academic courses or instructional materials.

Participants are also funded to give lectures and academic presentations, examine administrative policies and operational culture within U.S. higher education, and attend relevant academic conferences. The broader focus is on establishing durable institutional partnerships that foster co-authored publications and shared pedagogy.

Who can apply

The call is aimed at lecturers, scholars, and researchers representing Ukrainian higher education institutions. Candidates must work within academic disciplines that directly contribute to Ukraine’s capacity to recover, rebuild, and maintain societal and industrial resilience.

Selection covers eight designated field clusters: Critical Minerals and Resources, Energy Security and Resilience, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology and Emerging Technologies, Infrastructure and Reconstruction, Agricultural Technologies and Food Security, Environmental and Water Management, as well as Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Conditions and requirements

Fellows must commit to a one-month stay in the United States during the spring or summer 2027 period. The exchange is intended to result in tangible outcomes, such as joint research projects, curricular updates, or ongoing collaboration between the home Ukrainian institution and the host U.S. university.

Practical tip. Focus your proposal on clear institutional transfer, showing how the knowledge, course syllabi, or joint research initiated in the United States will be integrated into your home university’s curriculum to address Ukraine’s reconstruction priorities.

How to apply

Applications must be completed and submitted online through the American Councils AIS Forms management system. Candidates need to create an account, complete all required sections, and submit their forms ahead of the November 15, 2026 deadline.

The administrator also hosts an online informational session on October 21 at 4:00 PM Kyiv time to clarify eligibility details and application procedures. Applicants should verify their account settings to ensure system emails from the application portal are received without technical disruption.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: ais.americancouncils.org.