Global UGRAD
Global UGRAD Program provides outstanding undergraduate students with one-semester scholarships for non-degree, full-time study in the United States. Students should be enrolled in the first two years of four-year Bachelor programs or the first three years of five-year Bachelor or Specialist programs at universities in Belarus or other countries.
Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.
Learn more about Global UGRAD from program alumni:
Program Design
All participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate coursework chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum. Participants will be required to take one, 3-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will be required to participate in twenty hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop. Host institutions will offer instruction on topics including academic research and writing, critical thinking, time management, note-taking, and studying for and taking tests. Participants will live on-campus with U.S. peers or homestays with American families.
Participants cannot choose their host institution and will be placed at the most appropriate college or university based on their academic interests. Students who are not enrolled in pre-academic English may indicate a preference for a fall or spring semester, but final placement will be made by the organizers.
All academic fields of study are eligible.
*Per J-1 visa regulations, interested applicants in medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, pharmacology or other clinical fields of study, should be aware that direct patient care, including animal care, is not permitted, and therefore academic coursework and/or program activities at participating U.S. institutions may be limited.
The program is fully sponsored by the U.S. government, and includes:
international travel from home city to U.S. host university;
tuition at U.S. universities and living expenses;
pre-departure orientation;
virtual arrival orientation;
in-person end-of-program workshop.
Eligibility criteria:
be a citizen of Belarus;
be at least 18 years of age at the start of the UGRAD Program in the United States;
be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good standing at any university, public or private and having completed a minimum of their first semester of study;
have at least a full year to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program;
has a solid command of written and spoken English;
able to begin studies in the United States in August 2025 or in January 2026;
eligible to receive and maintain U.S. student exchange visa (J-1) required for the program;
cleared by a physician to participate in the program;
have little or no prior experience in the U.S. or elsewhere outside of their home countries;
must be able to achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48iBT;
be committed to returning to his or her home country after the completion of the program.
The following individuals are not eligible for the Global UGRAD Program:
U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
masters-level students;
local employees of U.S. Embassies and Consulates; employees are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
immediate family members (i.e. spouses and children) of U.S. Department of State employees; family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
current World Learning employees and their immediate family members.
English language testing
All nominated students must take the TOEFL test. Vouchers will be provided for nominated students to take the official TOEFL exam.
Application process
Applications will be accepted through the link https://worldlearning-program.my.site.com/ugradstudent/s until December 15, 2024, 23:59 Minsk time.
In response to the question “Are you a full-time undergraduate student in your country of citizenship? ‘Undergraduate’ students are those studying for a Bachelor’s degree”, choose "Yes" even if you are studying for a bachelor's degree not in Belarus, but in a university in another country.
First-year students who have not completed their first semester by the application deadline must provide grades from their final year of studies at a high school/lyceum/college (whichever applies).
If you have questions about the UGRAD program, please contact us at belarus@americancouncils.org.
The selection of candidates for the Global UGRAD program is carried out by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Belarus with support from American Councils for International Education. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.
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The program offers equal opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, native language, handicap or disability.
The Global UGRAD program is open to all Belarusian citizens who meet the eligibility criteria irrespective of their current place of residence.