INDEX Fellowship: EUR 1,300 a month for servicemembers documenting the war

The INDEX Fellowship for active servicemembers is a dedicated funding initiative launched by INDEX (Institute for Documentation and Interaction) with the support of IM Swedish Development Partner. The non-residential program is designed for active military personnel in Ukraine who are documenting wartime realities across artistic, journalistic, or academic mediums.

Selected fellows will receive a monthly stipend of 1,300 EUR (paid in Ukrainian Hryvnia equivalent) for two months, along with remote mentoring, recovery opportunities, and production assistance. Two individuals – one male and one female fellow – will be selected for this pilot cycle running from November 1 to December 31, 2026. The initial announcement indicated a deadline of November 1, 2026, while the detailed timeline notes application cutoffs in mid-October.

What is funded

The fellowship provides comprehensive financial, creative, and professional support to enable servicemembers to advance their documentary initiatives. Participants receive a monthly grant of 1,300 EUR for two months, accompanied by customized remote mentorship, expert consultations, and recovery services such as psychotherapy or sports through recommended providers and institutions.

The program also covers production and editorial support for public presentations, publications, exhibitions, and related outreach. Media partnerships will be leveraged to bring the fellows’ projects to broader domestic and international audiences.

By the end of the fellowship, recipients are expected to produce a draft of a new documentary work focused on the Russian war against Ukraine, such as a book chapter manuscript, visual art piece, essay, photo series, or script. Additionally, each fellow must submit an analytical essay or column for the INDEX Narysy publication reflecting on their fellowship experience.

Who can apply

Eligibility is strictly reserved for active servicemembers currently serving within the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Candidates must belong to creative, journalistic, or research fields, bringing specialized observation and analytical skills to the army.

Specific target professions include media workers (journalists, photojournalists), creative professionals (writers, visual artists, poets, filmmakers), and researchers working in the humanities or social sciences. The selection committee will choose one female and one male participant from the applicant pool.

Conditions and requirements

The entire program operates remotely from November 1 through December 31, 2026, ensuring that participation does not interfere with official service or relieve individuals of their military duties. Fellows must maintain full compliance with military regulations and are personally responsible for clearing their participation with their chain of command if necessary.

Practical tip. Prioritize operational security in your one-page proposal by ensuring your project does not disclose classified or sensitive operational data, and prepare your proof of active military service in advance to meet the rapid 24-hour verification window once notifications are sent.

INDEX explicitly emphasizes that it does not solicit or require classified or sensitive information that could pose safety risks. Selected applicants must promptly provide official documentation confirming active military status upon contact by the program curator.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the designated online application form. The submission package requires three main components: a professional curriculum vitae (CV), a motivational letter, and a concise one-page project proposal detailing the planned documentary work.

Applicants should monitor selection communications closely, as candidates contacted by the organizers must confirm their participation and provide proof of military service within a 24-hour window before the fellowship is offered to the next ranked applicant. Inquiries regarding the fellowship can be addressed directly to the organizing team via email.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: index-ukraine.org.