UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme (EDU CONNECT): British professors for Ukrainian higher education institutions

News

British professors at Ukrainian universities: launching the new UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme

The Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports is expanding opportunities for Ukrainian higher education by launching the international UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme (EDU CONNECT). For the first time, Ukrainian universities can invite lecturers from leading British universities ranked in the top 250 worldwide to collaborate with them.

Programme objective

Our primary objective is to integrate Ukraine into the international scientific and educational landscape and enhance the quality of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through the exchange of knowledge, modern approaches, and best practices between universities in Ukraine and the UK.

The programme brings together the efforts, experience and modern approaches of the British and Ukrainian academic communities. This project goes beyond delivering lectures and seminars — British professors will become genuine partners and mentors for Ukrainian students and colleagues. Joint research projects, consultations, open lectures and offline visits will help create a space for quality education, deeper knowledge exchange and the strengthening of international partnerships.

"Today, not only the future of Ukrainian science depends on the development of STEM, but also our defence capability and the speed of the country's recovery. This programme is an opportunity for Ukrainian scientists to gain access to the best global experience while remaining in Ukraine, as well as to strengthen integration into the international educational community, form a network of partnerships and carry out joint research with leading British scientists,"

emphasises Yuriy Petrushenko, head of the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports.

Terms and conditions of participation for universities

All licensed Ukrainian higher education institutions that are prepared to host an on-site visit by a foreign lecturer are eligible to participate in the competition. Each university can submit only one application with a detailed description of the programme, information about the professor and a clear budget estimate (the form is available for viewing and downloading at: https://bit.ly/4pe5BSd). The amount of funding per invited lecturer is up to UAH 250,000. Additional funding from the university will be an advantage during the application review.

Universities will have the opportunity to select leading experts. The invited professor must have experience working at a British university ranked in the top 250 of the QS, THE or ARWU world rankings, specialise in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics, and be ready to engage in Ukraine’s academic community.

Universities that have invited a lecturer who is currently engaged in, or has engaged in, educational or research activities in the Russian Federation or in the temporarily occupied territories after 2014 are not eligible to participate in the competition.

"By launching this programme, we want to give Ukrainian universities more freedom and tools to attract the best practices. The format of live exchanges with world science leaders will help broaden students' horizons, strengthen the leadership positions of our universities, and create new opportunities for the entire country,"

says Olga Budnik, Advisor-Commissioner to the President of Ukraine on the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports.

Applications will be accepted from December 19, 2025, to February 15, 2026. Academic activities and professors’ visits to Ukrainian universities will take place from March to June 2026.

The Fund of the President of Ukraine invites universities that are ready to embrace new opportunities for collaboration. This is a unique opportunity to integrate into the global scientific and educational setting, gain access to modern knowledge and best practices, and become part of the international community.

Details, requirements, and the application form are available on the official website https://presidentfund.gov.ua/programs/brytanski-profesory-v-ukrayinskyh-universytetah-uk-ua-visiting-professors-programme.

Registration is available at: https://forms.gle/VnMvdBmjGpVgxsVv6.