Short-Term Agricultural Ukrainian Fellowship Program

The Short-Term Agricultural Ukrainian Fellowship Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS), aims to provide targeted, short-term technical training programs in the United States for Ukrainian stakeholders. This program seeks to strengthen agricultural practices, policy development, and biotechnology applications in Ukraine through collaboration with U.S. institutions, industry experts, and regulators. The fellowship is designed to offer hands-on experience and practical knowledge transfer through structured instruction, extension activities, and field visits, fostering long-term professional relationships between Ukrainian participants and U.S. stakeholders. The primary objectives of the program include improving on-farm livestock management practices, enhancing policy development and analysis capabilities, and increasing understanding of biotechnology applications, policies, and regulations. Specific training topics will be jointly determined by USDA/FAS and the host institution and may cover areas such as dairy and swine farm management, livestock biohazard controls, agricultural policy, biotechnology, and market information systems. Eligible applicants are limited to state cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States, as defined under 7 USC 3103. Applicants must have active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and comply with federal financial assistance regulations. Subawards are permitted for institutions with specific technical expertise, subject to USDA/FAS approval. The program will be funded through a cost-reimbursable agreement, with a total available funding of $250,000 and one anticipated award. Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of direct costs. Funds may not be used for international airfare for participants or for lobbying activities. Host institutions are responsible for covering fellows’ domestic travel, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses during their time in the United States. Applications must include standard federal forms (SF-424 and SF-424A), a detailed budget narrative, and a project narrative not exceeding eight pages. The project narrative must outline the fellowship structure, coordination plans with USDA/FAS, pre- and post-travel virtual engagement strategies, logistical planning, and monitoring and evaluation activities. Proposals must demonstrate institutional capacity, expertise in Ukrainian agriculture, and the ability to deliver instruction in Ukrainian or provide translation services. Applications are due by February 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time and must be submitted through the ezFedGrants system. USDA/FAS will conduct a two-stage review process, including an eligibility threshold review and a panel evaluation based on program design, budget, formatting, and past performance criteria. For additional information, applicants can contact Benjamin Kairn at benjamin.kairn@usda.gov or via phone at 202-720-0430 during regular business hours.