Deadline: 15 December 2024
The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo has announced the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) to provide emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university.
The program is designed to increase participants’ understanding of the United States and enhance their leadership skills through academic coursework, community service, and professional development activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be at least 18 years old by August of the relevant academic year. For example, if you are applying to participate in the program for the 2025-2026 academic year, you must be at least 18 years old by August 2025.
- Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at an accredited academic institution.
- Have at least one full academic year of undergraduate study remaining after May of the relevant academic year that you participate in the Global UGRAD Program. For example, if you are applying to participate in the program for the 2025-2026 academic year, you must have at least one full year of undergraduate study remaining after May 2026.
- Be able to communicate in English. Applicants must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48iBT to be considered. Students who score between 48-60 will be considered for the virtual English Language Training prior to the exchange portion of the program. Students must achieve a minimum score of 61 to be eligible to participate in the exchange portion of the program in the United States.
- Be committed to service in your community.
- Preference will be given to those with little or no experience in the United States or outside their home countries.
- Applicants are required to return directly to their home country after completing the program.
Ineligibility Criteria
- 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 participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States.
- Individuals currently residing or working outside of participating countries.
- Individuals who have participated in an Exchange Visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government (e.g., U.S. Department of State including U.S. Embassies, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or other U.S. government agency) for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the application deadline.
- Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years.
- Employees, and their families, of non-profit organizations who administer the Global UGRAD Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents.
- Local employees of U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State or USAID are ineligible during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment.
- Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of U.S. Department of State employees and/or USAID are ineligible for a period of one year following the termination of such employment. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Kosovo.
