IREX: grants of up to $100,000 for NGOs providing services to veterans in six oblasts of Ukraine, no co-funding required, apply by 11 November

The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) has announced a grant competition under the Ukraine Veterans Reintegration and Rehabilitation programme (UVRR), funded by the U.S. Department of State. The initiative seeks to expand accessible, in-person support services for Ukrainian veterans and their families, with an emphasis on underserved and remote communities outside regional centres.

IREX plans to award up to four sub-grants of up to $100,000 each. Project implementation is scheduled for up to 10 months starting in December 2026, though start dates may be adjusted depending on donor approval and the negotiation process. Applications must be received by 11 November 2026.

What is funded

The call finances projects that deliver offline, face-to-face services to veterans and their family members outside major regional centres. Funding is specifically targeted at communities in Volyn, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Chernivtsi oblasts, prioritizing areas where existing services are scarce or difficult to reach.

Eligible activities include social assistance, mental health and psychosocial support services, career guidance and employment facilitation, as well as legal aid. Interventions must prioritize vulnerable veterans and individuals at elevated risk, particularly those residing in rural or isolated localities.

In addition to service delivery, selected recipients will receive targeted organizational support from IREX. This assistance focuses on improving internal governance, diversifying funding streams, establishing formal partnerships, and ensuring that community-level services can continue independently of U.S. government funding.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are registered Ukrainian non-profit civil society organisations, including public associations, charitable organisations, and charitable foundations. Entities must operate within Ukraine and adhere fully to national legal standards. Organisations or individuals based in the United States or third countries are excluded from eligibility.

Applicants must be politically independent, meaning they cannot represent or maintain ties to political parties or elected/appointed government officials. In addition, organisations must not be debarred, suspended, or otherwise disqualified from receiving foreign assistance.

Conditions and requirements

The maximum grant amount is $100,000 per project, and no co-funding contribution is required from participating organisations. The implementation duration is up to 10 months, scheduled to begin in December 2026, subject to final award negotiations. All project activities must conclude within the approved performance window.

Applicants must establish official cooperation with relevant executive authorities, local governments, or public or private institutions within the scope of the project. This cooperation must be substantiated by formal memorandums of understanding, letters of support, or equivalent documentation. Project funds cannot be redistributed as sub-grants, used for direct cash handouts, or transferred to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

How to apply

Application packages may be prepared in either Ukrainian or English. Completed proposals and all required accompanying documents must be sent via email with the exact subject line: ‘Номер FY27 – Надання комплексних послуг ветеранам у регіонах із недостатнім охопленням послугами та важкодоступних місцевостях’. Submissions must arrive no later than 11 November 2026 at 23:59 Kyiv time.

Practical tip. Ensure that every file is attached directly to your email, as IREX explicitly states that submissions containing links to external cloud platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or WeTransfer will not be considered. Coordinate with local authorities well before the deadline to secure official letters of support or memorandums, as lacking partnership documents will undermine your proposal’s eligibility.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: veteran-reintegration.in.ua.