The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) in Eurasia and Central Asia is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. The Global UGRAD program provides opportunities for full-time 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-year undergraduate students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan to spend one academic year of non-degree study in a US university or community college. 4th-year students must have at least one term remaining at their home institutions upon completion of the program. Participants are selected through an open, merit-based competition.

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and administered by IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board).

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) in Eurasia and Central Asia is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. The Global UGRAD program provides opportunities for full-time 1^st-, 2^nd-, 3^rd-, and 4^th-year undergraduate students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan to spend one academic year of non-degree study in a US university or community college.  4^th-year students must have at least one term remaining at their home institutions upon completion of the program.   Participants are selected through an open, merit-based competition.

 All students must return to their home academic institution for a minimum of one full term (semester or year) following the end of the Global UGRAD program.

All participants will:

• Attend classes full-time for one academic year;
• Perform a minimum of 20 hours of community service in their host city during the first semester; and
• Complete a part-time internship during their second semester.

Students in their 1^st-year at the time of application will live with host families or in dormitories and will be enrolled in two-year community colleges. All other students will live in dormitories at four-year colleges and universities.

The fellowship is fully funded and provides:

• J-1 Visa Support;
• Round-trip travel from fellow's home city to host institution in the United States;
• Accident and sickness coverage;
• Tuition and mandatory university fees;
• Room and board (housing and meals);
• Small incidentals allowance;
• Limited allowance for books; and
• A wide variety of alumni networking and training opportunities.

See application for eligibility requirements and selection criteria.

Application Deadline for 2013-2014 year of study has passed. Please check our web-site again in Autumn 2013 for the 2014-2015 Global UGRAD application.

Online Application:
Applicants are encouraged to complete the application online. Please read the instructions carefully prior to beginning the application.

• Online Application Instructions
• Start your Online Application Now!

Paper Application:
Applicants who cannot complete the application online may download and complete a paper application (two parts). Three (3) complete copies of all application materials must be received by an IREX office in your country of citizenship in one package by 5 p.m. local time on Monday, January 14, 2013.

Please be sure that you have the most recent version of Adobe Reader.  You may download it for free online.

You can also follow this link to begin the application process and find out more about current program eligibility requirements: UGRAD Application Information. 

Personal Data Privacy Form: In accordance with local law, applicants from Russia and Ukraine are required to submit a personal data privacy form.  All applicants from Russia and Ukraine, regardless of whether they choose to submit an online or paper application, are required to drop off or mail an original, signed version of the personal data privacy form to their country office. You may click here for our address: IREX office in Ukraine. You can download the form here: Ukraine Privacy Form .

Global UGRAD in Eurasia & Central Asia Recruitment Video

Get advice on your Global UGRAD Application from current participants. Learn tips and get first-hand advice on how to write quality Personal Statements for your application to be sure that you stand out.

Prepare for Your Global UGRAD Application

Advice on Academic Integrity
Candidates preparing an application for the Global UGRAD program should carefully read these important tips on Academic Integrity.

Advice on Test Preparation
Candidates who are selected as semi-finalists will sit for the TOEFL standardized exam. This test can play an important role in determining admissions to a university. Studying for this exam early and often can help improve your performance. Please review important Advice for Test Takers.

For more information about preparing for the TOEFL and other exams, please contact the Education USA center at http://www.americancouncilskyiv.org.ua/EducationalAdvisingCenter . The EAC Library is funded by the U.S. Department of State and features preparation manuals and computer programs for the standardized ETS tests. You can also visit http://www.ets.org/ , which is the website for the company that provides the exams. NOTE:  You DO NOT need to take the exams in order to apply for the fellowship programs. You will only need to take the exams after you pass the semifinalist stage of the programs.

Contact us via e-mail: ugrad@irex.ua