McCain Global Leaders Ukraine — Fellowship

McCain Global Leaders Ukraine is a three-month pilot fellowship run by the McCain Institute at Arizona State University for professionals based in Ukraine. It focuses on leadership and technical skills for democratic, just, and inclusive post-war reconstruction.

Participants join online modules and thematic discussions from July through September, then meet international experts during a week-long workshop in Sarajevo. The cohort develops cross-sector recommendations and action plans for use in participants’ work and communities.

Benefits & funding

Regular online leadership modules and thematic discussions during the three-month program.
A workshop in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, scheduled for August 15–22, 2026.
Access to international reconstruction experts and the McCain Institute’s Washington, D.C. policy network.
No participant fee is listed; the official pages do not publish a stipend or itemized coverage for travel, lodging, visas, or incidental costs.

Eligibility

Applicants must be based in Ukraine.
At least six years of relevant professional experience is required.
Working proficiency in English is required.
Applicants must have Ukrainian government permission to leave Ukraine for the August workshop.
Applicants must be willing to undergo a background check and must pass it to participate.
The program seeks applicants from policy, veterans’ affairs, civil society, business and technology, environment and ecology, media, and culture; candidates outside the Kyiv region are strongly encouraged to apply.
The official page states no separate nationality, age, degree, or gender restriction.

Can you apply?

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Residence required
Ukraine
Experience required
≥ 6 yrs

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Application process

1
Prepare a CV of no more than two pages.
2
Prepare a cover letter of no more than one page explaining your motivation and relevant professional or personal experience in post-war reconstruction.
3
Prepare a one-page essay identifying reconstruction challenges in your sector, their links to other named sectors, and how the fellowship would help you benefit your sector and community.
4
Submit through the official route when a future application window is announced; the closed 2026 page does not currently display a submission link.
5
Be prepared to complete the required background check if selected.

Program timeline

Application deadline listed for the inaugural cycle.
April 30, 2026, 17:00 EST
Successful applicants were expected to be notified.
End of May or beginning of June 2026
Nine inaugural fellows were announced.
June 26, 2026
Three-month fellowship began with online programming.
July 2026
In-person workshop in Sarajevo.
August 15–22, 2026
Fellowship scheduled to conclude.
September 2026