Grant for the Development of the Veteran Public Diplomacy Academy

The Ukraine Veterans Reintegration and Recovery (UVRR) Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). Under this grant competition, IREX provides support for the development and implementation of the Veteran Public Diplomacy Academy (VPDA) as a sustainable certified educational program. The initiative is built on the understanding that Ukrainian veterans possess not only military experience, but also professional expertise in security, economic development, Ukraine's recovery, and international cooperation.

The primary goal of the project is to prepare veterans for meaningful participation in international discussions, public diplomacy events, and professional collaboration with foreign partners. The grant competition foresees the development and delivery of an educational program consisting of at least four training modules for two cohorts of veterans (approximately 25 participants per cohort). The training will combine public diplomacy, international communication, relevant public policy issues, and practical exercises in public speaking and networking.

The competition aims to institutionalize the Academy through cooperation with a qualified Ukrainian educational institution. The Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is considered a key institutional partner. The selected grantee will be expected to establish mechanisms for the long-term sustainability of the program, support the alumni community, and maintain their access to international professional networks after donor funding ends.

• Entity Status: Open exclusively to registered Ukrainian non-profit civil society organizations (CSOs), including:
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs);
  • Charitable Organizations (COs);
  • Charitable Foundations (CFs).
• Geographic Operational Area: Must operate within Ukraine and comply with Ukrainian legislation.
• U.S. / Foreign Restrictions: Entities or individuals from the United States or other foreign nations are ineligible.
• Non-Partisanship: Applicants must not represent or be affiliated with political parties, elected officials, or appointed officials.
• Educational Partnership: Mandatory identification of a qualified Ukrainian educational institution for program delivery and certification with proof of readiness (support letter, MOU).
  • Special Condition: If proposing partnership with the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the MFA of Ukraine, prior written proof at application stage is not required (IREX will facilitate connection).
• Debarment Compliance: No active debarment, suspension, or restrictions on receiving U.S. Government funding.

• Total funding volume: IREX plans to award 1 grant for an amount up to 160,000 USD.
• Co-financing requirements: Applicant co-financing or cost share is not required.
• Allowable costs: All reasonable, allocable, and allowable direct and indirect costs necessary for project implementation adhering to U.S. Government cost principles (State Department Standard Terms, 2 CFR 200 Subparts A–E, 2 CFR 600).
• Unallowable costs (prohibited funding areas):
  • Sub-granting, direct financial support, or payments/transfers to UNRWA.
  • Procurement of goods or services from entities listed ondebarment and suspension lists.
  • Direct or  indirect assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Territorial Defense units, or other defense components.
  • Main office operational expenses unrelated to project implementation.
  • International travel and activities outside of Ukraine.
  • Pharmaceuticals/medicines, food products, disposable items, and humanitarian aid.
  • Purchase of large long-term equipment (including motor vehicles and transportation).
  • Construction, renovation, purchase or lease of land plots or entire buildings.
  • Payment of prior debts, fines, and financial penalties.
  • Costs incurred before agreement execution or after project end date.
  • Individual scholarships, loans, gifts, or prizes.
  • Charitable contributions, funding political parties, elected officials, or religious groups.
  • Lobbying, gambling, and purchase of alcoholic beverages.
  • Pure scientific research, special experiments, venture capital, commercial revenue-generating activities, or participation fees.

• Educational Program Development: Designing and certifying an educational program (at least 4 training modules) suitable for institutionalization within the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine or another educational institution.
• Participant Selection: Executing an open, transparent selection process for two cohorts (approx. 25 veterans each) considering regional diversity, professional background, and English proficiency.
• Training Delivery: Conducting in-person training in Ukraine in safe venues equipped with accessible bomb shelters, covering public diplomacy, international communication, public policy, and practical exercises.
• Expert Engagement: Involving diplomats, government officials, and international experts as speakers, trainers, and mentors.
• Alumni Support: Organizing at least 2 events for program graduates for networking, professional exchange, and international involvement.
• Sustainability Mechanisms (Exit Benchmark): Creating mechanisms for post-grant program continuation and alumni network activity without relying on ongoing U.S. Government funding.

• November 06, 2026: Official launch of the Request for Applications (RFA).
• November 26, 2026 (by 23:59): Deadline for written applicant questions regarding competition terms.
• November 27, 2026: Publication of summarized answers and clarifications within competition documentation on the IREX website.
• December 06, 2026 at 23:59 (Kyiv time): Final deadline for submitting full application packages.
• December 2026: Application review by evaluation committee, finalist selection, issuance of Award Letter, completion of Due Diligence questionnaires, and pre-award negotiations.
• January 2027: Tentative project start date (subject to funding approval).
• January – September 2027 (9 months): Project implementation period, delivery of training modules for 2 veteran cohorts, institutionalization of the certified program, and alumni events.

1. Downloading Application Materials: Access the application package (RFA, application form, budget template) under the "For CSOs" section on the UVRR platform on the IREX website.
2. Completing Documents: Complete the project application form and budget strictly using official IREX templates.
3. Preparing Attachments: Prepare CVs of key staff and letters of support or MOUs from partners (up to 20 pages total).
4. Submitting via Email: Send completed application materials to tender-ua@irex.org with the mandatory email subject line: FY27-UVRR-Veteran-Public-Diplomacy-Academy.
5. Attachment Requirement: Attach all files directly to the email. Applications submitted as links to external cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, WeTransfer, etc.) will not be considered.
6. Application Deadline: Submit the email no later than December 06, 2026 at 23:59 Kyiv time.

Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale across 5 primary criteria:

1. Technical Approach — up to 20 points:
   • Quality and relevance of the proposed educational approach to prepare veterans for international engagement and public diplomacy — 10 points.
   • Realism of the approach to institutionalization and long-term program sustainability post-funding — 10 points.
2. Scope of Work and Partnerships — up to 20 points:
   • Clarity and realism of the project implementation plan (selection, training, mentoring, alumni engagement) — 10 points.
   • Quality and relevance of institutional and educational partnerships, including collaboration with the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine — 10 points.
3. Previous Experience and Expertise — up to 25 points:
   • Relevant experience in developing and executing educational programs for national-level leaders — 10 points.
   • Experience training leaders in public diplomacy and international engagement — 10 points.
   • Demonstrated experience working with veterans and understanding engagement approaches — 5 points.
4. Organizational Capacity — up to 15 points:
   • Team qualifications and relevant expertise — 5 points.
   • Ability to establish and manage partnerships with educational institutions, government bodies, diplomats, and experts — 5 points.
   • Organizational, financial, and administrative management capacity — 5 points.
5. Feasibility and Cost Effectiveness — up to 20 points:
   • Budget alignment with planned activities and cost reasonableness — 10 points.
   • Budget cost efficiency and cost-to-results ratio — 10 points.

Application Package

• Project Application Form using the IREX template (Word format).
• Project Budget using the IREX template (Excel format).
• Resumes (CVs) or brief biographical summaries of key project staff and experts.
• Supporting documents: support letters, MOUs, or cooperation agreements with partner educational institutions (up to 20 pages total).

Documents required upon selection (prior to award execution)

• Certificate of State Registration of the NGO/CF.
• Certificate of Non-profit Status (decision on inclusion in the Register of Non-Profit Organizations).
• Protocol/Minutes or Order appointing the Director or authorized signatory.
• Bank account details certificate.
• Copies of internal organizational policies (accounting policy, procurement policy, etc.).
• Charter of the NGO/CF (scanned version).
• Completed Due Diligence Questionnaire using the IREX template.

• Execution of the project in strict compliance with U.S. Government regulations (2 CFR 200 Subparts A–E, 2 CFR 600, State Department Standard Terms, FAR 31.2).
• Mandatory completion of the Due Diligence Questionnaire by the selected finalist to confirm adequate internal financial accounting, procurement procedures, and division of responsibilities prior to agreement execution.
• Submission of periodic program reports covering progress, challenges encountered, corrective actions taken, and planned activities for the next period.
• Submission of a final program report detailing achieved outcomes, target indicator performance, and lessons learned.
• Submission of periodic and final detailed financial reports on all expended funds according to the agreement schedule.
• Disbursement of the final funding installment exclusively upon IREX/UVRR approval of final program and financial reports.

• Application of the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms, 2 CFR 200 (Subparts A–E), 2 CFR 600, and FAR 31.2.
• Preparation and submission of the project application is carried out exclusively at the applicant's own expense and risk (IREX does not reimburse application preparation costs).
• Issuance of the Request for Applications (RFA) does not create an obligation on the part of IREX to award a grant.
• IREX reserves the right to modify the number of grants, award amounts, and implementation timelines, or to reject all submitted applications.
• Costs incurred by the applicant prior to the signature or after the end of the grant agreement period are unallowable and non-reimbursable.
• Prohibition on using grant funds for sub-granting, direct financial support, or any transfers to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
• Prohibition on using funds for direct or indirect assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Territorial Defense units, or other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
• Mandatory compliance of the applicant and suppliers of goods or services with U.S. Government eligibility regulations regarding absence of restrictions on receiving U.S. funding (verification via http://www.sam.gov/.