U.S.-Ukraine Educational Partnerships for Workforce Development

The U.S.-Ukraine Educational Partnerships for Workforce Development grant is a funding initiative administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Issued under the authority of the Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds for FY 2025, this opportunity seeks to bolster Ukraine’s labor force by fostering educational partnerships between U.S. and Ukrainian institutions. The announcement invites Statements of Interest (SOIs) from eligible Ukrainian non-profit, non-governmental organizations to initiate cooperative projects aimed at aligning Ukraine’s technical and vocational training systems with labor market demands—particularly in sectors benefiting U.S. business interests. This program’s primary goal is to enhance workforce development through the adoption of U.S. best practices in technical education and professional training. The initiative targets key groups such as war veterans, mid-career professionals, and those seeking retraining, positioning them for employment in sectors critical to economic growth. Projects may include the development of short-term certificates, micro-qualification programs, online courses, veteran reintegration support services, and collaborative curriculum design with U.S. partners. Proposed efforts must aim to foster a skilled, adaptable, and competitive Ukrainian workforce in support of long-term economic development. Selected applicants may receive awards ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 per project, with a total of up to five awards expected, contingent upon availability of funds. Projects must be completed within a performance period of 12 to 24 months, with anticipated start dates beginning October 1, 2025. While matching funds are encouraged, they are not required. Funding must adhere to specified spending constraints, including prohibitions on allocations to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and any support for mass migration caravans or related legal assistance. Only Ukrainian non-profit, non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration prior to award. Each organization is allowed to submit only one proposal; multiple submissions will result in disqualification. The SOI serves as the initial phase in a two-step selection process. It must be no more than three pages and must outline the project’s goals, objectives, performance indicators, and estimated budget. Organizations with promising SOIs will be invited to submit full proposals, which will undergo further review and must include federal forms SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B (where applicable), and a detailed budget narrative. Applications will be evaluated based on three criteria: quality and feasibility of the project idea (50 points), organizational capacity and grant management history (35 points), and ability to achieve the proposed objectives (15 points). A merit review committee will evaluate SOIs within one week after the submission deadline. Successful applicants will be notified around July 18, 2025. The final deadline for submission of SOIs is July 25, 2025, at 23:59 Kyiv time. All materials must be emailed to KyivPDGrants@state.gov. Potential applicants are encouraged to begin the UEI and SAM.gov registration process early, as it can take four to eight weeks to complete.

Submit only one application per organization. Begin UEI and SAM.gov registration early.