Important: the U4U program is currently not accepting new applications

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Call for Applications: Universities for Ukraine (U4U) Non-Residential Fellowship Program

Economists for Ukraine and Science for Ukraine are happy to announce the Universities for Ukraine (U4U) Non-Residential Fellowship Program. The program matches researchers in Ukraine to colleges, universities, and research institutions worldwide, which provide funding to support research activities.

Summary of the U4U Non-Residential Fellowship Program

Research-active academics who were affiliated with a Ukrainian university or research institution as of February 24, 2022, and are currently located in Ukraine or desire to return to Ukraine soon are invited to apply to the program here: https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZdiE7JkIVcNM6a.

Economists for Ukraine and Science for Ukraine manage the application process and match Sponsors with pre-screened Fellows based on Sponsor-specific criteria.

Economists for Ukraine
Science for Ukraine

If selected, U4U Fellows receive one-time unconditional funding of $5,000 and are matched with a Sponsor, which could be a university, a school 
or department within a university, a research group within a corporation or non-profit, etc.

Participating sponsors

illinois
indrive
johnshopkins
tulane
berkely
ucla
iowa
yale
wellesley
georgia
duke
columbia
pittsburgh
vcu

Testimonies from Fellowship Recipients

“I used the funds to buy a new computer because my old one is outdated and can no longer run some modern applications which I really need for my work. This helps me to conduct my research at home (My institute was partially affected by the Russian shelling, and recommends that the employees work remotely). The financial support helps me to carry out my research work despite the rising inflation and salary cuts caused by the war.”
Alexandre D.
“This support has been instrumental in my professional growth and development, and I am incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity.”
Maryna N.
“Thanks to the assistance, I can focus on my research without looking for additional part-time jobs.”
Anna S.
“your fellowship has provided me with the resources and support to continue my research and my contribution to my field”
Maryna N.
“The U4U Fellowship allowed me to focus my efforts and professional undertakings on research activity and feel financially safe under the permanent danger of Russian violence.”
Tetiana B.
“In my institute, we are paid this year for 4 days per week, instead of 5. Therefore the fellowship is compensating this reduction.”
Anatoly K.
“The scholarship helped me to finally rent an apartment for me and my family in Uzhhorod. This city is in western Ukraine, far from the fighting. This allows me to feel safe and focus on my research.”
Yevhen P.
“So far, the fellowship costs have helped me upgrade my laptop - my previous one was bought in 2012 - and now I can carry out my research calculations and other tasks related to my research activities.”
Vitaliy Y.
“Thanks to your support, I am able to continue my work and pursue my research interests.”
Maryna N.
“Thanks to the fellowship, I was able to purchase organizational equipment with the help of which I have continuous access to the Internet and can work with sites that contain the analytical and statistical data I need and to use office programs.”
Natalia Z.
“Like many other scientists remaining in Ukraine I would like to thank the donors of this great initiative which keeps academic research alive during the darkest days for our country.”
Maksym O.
“Your support has not only impacted my life, but also that of my family. We are incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement you have given us during this challenging time.”
Maryna N.
“Thanks to this fellowship, I could secure autonomous electricity sources, which proved to be vital after Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure resulted in severe problems with electricity availability, heating, and sometimes water supply. With this power source, I could continue my research and counter-propaganda activities despite the challenging circumstances.”
Oleksii P.
“First and foremost, the scholarship helps me to continue my academic activities and work on my project. Also, thanks to the scholarship, I have improved the financial situation of my family, since my spouse is out of work, and I have been placed on unpaid leave without pay. So thank you very much for your financial support at such a difficult time for scientists from Ukraine. I will remember this for the rest of my life.”
Alexei L.
“This fellowship has allowed me to continue my academic career and has given me hope for a better future.”
Maryna N.
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Frequently Asked Questions

The U4U Fellowship is designed to support Ukrainian scholars who have chosen or were required to remain in Ukraine. To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must demonstrate (i) a record of scholarship conducted from Ukraine (e.g. publications or preprints prior to the Russian invasion while affiliated with a Ukrainian college, university, or research institution), (ii) a desire to remain in Ukraine, as attested by the applicant, and (iii) a plan of research describing how the fellowship would enable them to carry out additional research activities. Scholars who have fled to another country but desire to return to Ukraine are welcome to apply.

The U4U Non-Residential Fellowship Program is managed by scholars who volunteer through Economists for Ukraine and Science for Ukraine. In addition to maintaining the application portal, we conduct screening interviews with potential applicants, both to verify their stated level of English proficiency and to encourage them to become active in the U4U community even before they are matched.

Any interested college, university, or other research institution can act as a sponsor. Our available sponsor list constantly evolves as positions are filled, and new sponsors join the program. You can read about how sponsors join the program and how matches are made here.

If you have questions that are not answered here, please reach out to [email protected].

The application to the U4U Fellowship Program can be found here. In addition to providing basic information about themselves (e.g., name, email, affiliation, and education history), applicants are required to upload a 1-2 page plan of research, preferably in English, describing how the fellowship would enable them to carry out additional research activities. Fellows are also encouraged, but not required, to list their recent publications and courses taught and upload a recent curriculum vitae. There is no deadline to apply; we review applications periodically, in batches. Thus, applying earlier will yield the highest chances of being matched. Once you have applied, there is no need to re-apply. Your application will remain in our pool indefinitely unless you contact us ([email protected]) to withdraw it.

Once a prospective match is identified, applicants will be contacted for a virtual interview to verify their stated English proficiency and their identity. Applicants must be prepared to present identification (photocopy of passport) and proof of affiliation with a Ukrainian university or research organization (as of February 24, 2022). Finally, to receive payment, we expect that most sponsors will require a dollar-denominated bank account in the applicant’s own name.

Because the fellowship funds are unconditional and given to the fellow up front, there is no set fellowship length. If your sponsor provides additional opportunities, it is up to them and you to decide how long to maintain the relationship. Similarly, you can stay involved in the U4U community for as little or as long as you would like.

Applicants may not choose their own sponsor, but they can reject a proposed match for any reason. However, keep in mind that rejecting a proposed match may result in the applicant never being matched to a sponsor.

To ensure that fellows are not unduly burdened, sponsors are only allowed to impose minimal requirements on fellows—such as a short report on research conducted or a short presentation—and must notify fellows of any requirements prior to fellowship acceptance. Sponsors may offer additional opportunities but participating in these is always at the fellow’s discretion.