Global UGRAD | MEET-USA.COM Portal
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Global UGRAD

01.10.2018
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The Global UGRAD program provides one-semester scholarships for non-degree, full-time study in the United States to outstanding undergraduate students. Students should be enrolled in the first two years of four-year Bachelor programs or the first three years of five-year Bachelor or Specialist programs at Russian universities. Participants will be selected for academic excellence, leadership potential, and proficiency in written and spoken English.

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is a fully-funded scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at an assigned U.S. college or university. Participants are emerging leaders committed to their home communities. During the Program, Global UGRAD participants challenge themselves to explore U.S. society, culture, and academic learning. They also participate in community service and enhance their professional skills.

The application for participation in the 2018-19 academic cycle will be open November 1- December 31, 5:00pm EST (23:59 Moscow time). For application information and instructions, please visit this page.

Program design

Global UGRAD participants will study at accredited U.S. colleges and universities, and engage in community service, professional development workshops, and cultural enrichment activities. They will be enrolled full time in undergraduate course work at the host institution to allow ample opportunity for substantive interaction with U.S. faculty and student peers, and for exposure to U.S. academic and classroom culture. Host institutions will offer instruction on topics including academic research and writing, critical thinking, time management, note-taking, and studying for and taking tests. Students will be required to enroll in at least one course in an American Studies field, such as U.S. history, literature, art, or government. Participants will live on-campus.

Participants cannot choose their host institution and will be placed at the most appropriate college or university based on their academic interests.

All academic fields of study are eligible.

*Per J-1 visa regulations, interested applicants in medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, pharmacology or other clinical fields of study, should be aware that direct patient care, including animal care, is not permitted, and therefore academic coursework and/or program activities at participating U.S. institutions may be limited.

The program is fully sponsored by the U.S. government, and includes:

  • international travel from home city to U.S. host university,
  • tuition at U.S. universities and living expenses,
  • pre-departure orientation in Russia,
  • virtual arrival orientation,
  • in-person end-of-program workshop.

*International passport fees are not covered and are the responsibility of the applying student.

This is a non-degree program, so students should check with their Russian university whether any credits accumulated during the UGRAD program will be transferred.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates should be highly motivated and demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. They must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in Russia and have at least one semester to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program. The UGRAD program cannot be the final academic term of a student’s undergraduate study.

Global UGRAD is open to all academic fields of study and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability. Students with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

The Global UGRAD Program is merit-based and is open to anyone who fits the following eligibility criteria:

  • Applicants must be a citizen of the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
  • Applicants must be studying in the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program
  • Scholarships will be granted to students who currently are enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs only, having completed a minimum of their first semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.
  • Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
  • Applicants must demonstrate a command of written and spoken English. The TOEFL exam will be required of those selected as finalists or alternates.
  • Preference will be given to those who have had little or NO experience in the U.S. or outside of their home countries.
  • Applicants must be committed to return directly to their home country after the completion of the program.
  • Applicants are over 18 years of age.

Individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible for the Global UGRAD Program:

  • U. S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
  • Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of Russia;
  • Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); employees are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
  • Immediate family members (i.e. spouses and children) of U.S. Department of State and USAID employees; family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
  • Current World Learning employees and their immediate family members.
  • Graduate students;
  • Alumni of FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange Program), Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Institute, and Between the Lines Creative Writing program;

English language testing

All students nominated by U.S. Embassy Moscow as principals and alternate candidates for 2018-2019 Global UGRAD program must take the TOEFL test in March or April 2018. Vouchers will be provided for nominated students to take the official TOEFL exam.

Application process:

The Global UGRAD Program application is available online.

Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox work best when completing the UGRAD application. We do NOT recommend using Internet Explorer.

Please read all instructions carefully before completing the application, and review all fields before making any submission online. The application can be saved and submitted at a later time. All forms in this application are to be completed in English.

Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be considered.

Deadline for submitting Global UGRAD 2018-2019 applications is 5:00 EST Time (23:59 Moscow time), December 31, 2017.

A complete application package includes:

  • Online application,
  • Academic transcripts (with English translations), first-year students can submit their school certificate with grades.
  • Two letters of reference (with English translations). One recommendation should come from your university teacher, and the other should be written by a professor/teacher, OR from an employer, coach, or any supervisor or authority familiar with your extra-curricular activities.
  • Copy of international passport biographic information page (if you do not have an international passport, please include a copy of the main pages of your internal passport).

Successful candidates will be notified of their awards in May-June 2018.



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