Global Undergraduate Exchange Program – Azerbaijan

A program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Global UGRAD provides 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.

During the exchange semester, Global UGRAD students live and learn on-campus alongside their American peers, complete 20 hours of community service, and enroll in full-time undergraduate coursework, including one U.S. Studies course. Students also participate in an end-of-program workshop in Washington, DC, to develop their leadership skills further, network with their global cohort, and prepare for re-entry.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be at least 18 years old by August 2025
• Applicants must be a citizen of Azerbaijan and currently reside in Azerbaijan
• Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at an accredited academic institution in Azerbaijan
• 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.
• Demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
• Applicants must have a solid command of written and spoken English (English Language training for some finalists is possible)
• Applicants are required to return directly to their home country after completing the program.
• Preference will be given to those with little or no experience in the United States or outside their home countries.

Ineligibility Criteria

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