Ukraine: Professional Internships Exchange Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship | PAS UKRAINE 2020 11

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS UKRAINE 2020 11

The Ukraine: Professional Internships Exchange Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship opportunity is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Ukraine) grant competition that funds one organization to run a professional exchange program that brings Ukrainian innovators, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople to the United States for short-term internships and structured networking. The core purpose is to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in Ukraine by giving participants direct exposure to U.S. organizations, practical business practices, and policy environments that support competitiveness, investment, and enterprise growth, while also encouraging connections that can continue after the participants return home. The program places special emphasis on reaching participants outside Kyiv, signaling an intent to broaden impact beyond the capital and support regional economic development.

The recipient organization is expected to design and implement at least two separate program cycles (two iterations) during the project period. Each cycle should bring a cohort of at least six Ukrainian participants, generally ages 20 to 40, for a 4 to 5 week internship placement in a U.S. host organization. The exchange is not meant to be only an internship; it is structured as a full professional development experience that includes preparation, relationship-building, and follow-up. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how they will identify relevant U.S. public and private sector partners, match participants to meaningful placements, and ensure participants learn how U.S. systems encourage entrepreneurship, improve the business and investment climate, and potentially support U.S. export and investment linkages.

The required program components are clearly laid out and include a competitive selection process (with both a written application and an in-person interview), orientations before the internships in both Ukraine and the United States, and multiple opportunities for participants to network while in the U.S. Specifically, proposals should include a pre-internship networking event in the United States, the 4 to 5 week internship itself, a post-internship debrief in the United States, and a post-internship networking event in the United States. Beyond the U.S.-based activities, proposals must also describe alumni engagement once participants return to Ukraine, such as professional development sessions, mentoring, and networking events designed to sustain momentum, encourage peer collaboration, and translate lessons learned into local action.

The target audience is Ukrainian businesspersons, innovators, and entrepreneurs aged 20 to 40, with explicit preference from the Embassy Public Diplomacy Grants Committee for projects that recruit inclusively and reach groups that are often underrepresented. Strong proposals will show concrete plans to recruit women; members of marginalized communities and underrepresented groups (including persons with disabilities and LGBTQI community members); residents of non-major Ukrainian cities; and representatives from STEAM fields. In practice, that means applicants should explain their outreach channels, partnerships, accessible application processes, fair selection criteria, and how they will ensure diverse participants can fully participate in travel, programming, and alumni activities.

From a funding and eligibility standpoint, this is a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.900, categorized under Business and Commerce and Community Development. The opportunity number is PAS UKRAINE 2020 11. The award ceiling is $275,000, and the Embassy anticipated making one award. Eligible applicants are nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status in the United States, other than institutions of higher education. The original posting indicates a creation date of February 21, 2020, with an original closing date of April 20, 2020.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ukraine in the business and commerce, community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ukraine: Professional Internships Exchange Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 21, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $275,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAS UKRAINE 2020 11

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