The European Training Foundation is a specialized agency of the European Union, established in 1990 and located in Turin, Italy, which has been operational since 1994. The Foundation supports the reform of vocational education and training systems, as well as labor markets, in the EU’s partner countries within the context of the Union’s foreign policy. The ETF works with approximately 29 countries neighboring the EU—in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, and Central Asia, including Ukraine. The Foundation does not provide direct funding or train people itself, but rather offers expertise, analysis, the exchange of best practices, and capacity building. Among its initiatives are the Turin Process (regular monitoring of vocational education and training developments) and the Green Skills Awards. The Foundation works closely with its sister agency, CEDEFOP, which oversees vocational education and training within the EU.
The International Visegrad Fund is an international organization founded in 2000 by the governments of the Visegrad Group countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) to support regional cooperation in Central Europe. The Foundation supports civil society projects through grants, scholarships, and artist residencies in seven key areas: culture, education, innovation, democratic values, public policy, the environment and tourism, and social development. Through a separate program called Visegrad+, the foundation places special emphasis on cooperation with countries outside the V4, particularly Ukraine. The foundation’s fellowship program enables students and researchers to study and conduct research at universities in the region.
The LEGO Foundation is a Danish charitable foundation that owns 25% of the LEGO Group and allocates a portion of its profits to educational projects for children. The foundation’s mission is to promote the concept of “learning through play” and to foster creativity, engagement, and a capacity for lifelong learning in children. The foundation funds programs in early childhood and primary education, teacher training, play-based approaches in the classroom, and support for children in crisis situations, particularly those who are displaced or affected by war. The LEGO Foundation collaborates with UNICEF, governments, universities, and nongovernmental organizations around the world. The Foundation focuses primarily on children up to age 12 and on the development of holistic skills. It regularly announces themed competitions and large-scale initiatives for organizations working with young children.
The VolkswagenStiftung (Volkswagen Foundation) is Germany’s largest private charitable foundation dedicated to funding academic research and one of Europe’s largest scientific foundations. Despite its name, the foundation has no connection to the modern Volkswagen automotive group: it was established in 1961 with funds received from the privatization of the company. Headquartered in Hanover, the foundation supports research across all disciplines—from the humanities and social sciences to the natural and technical sciences. It is known for its willingness to fund bold, high-risk, and interdisciplinary projects that do not always fit within the framework of traditional government grant agencies. It also offers its own thematic initiatives and supports researchers at various stages of their careers, including those from other countries. Participation typically involves submitting a proposal for a specific initiative of the foundation with clearly defined conditions.
The Aristotle Onassis Foundation is a Greek charitable foundation established in 1975 that supports education, culture, science, healthcare, and social initiatives. The Foundation is known for its research grant and fellowship programs for foreign researchers, faculty members, and graduate students who wish to conduct research in Greece. The fellowships cover a wide range of fields, from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences. The Foundation also actively promotes cultural projects, particularly through the Onassis Cultural Center in Athens. The fellowship programs are competitive, with specific annual deadlines. The Foundation supports both short-term research visits and longer-term research fellowships.
The Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research is Belgium’s research funding agency, which supports fundamental and strategic research across all scientific disciplines. The Fund provides individual fellowships for graduate students and doctoral candidates, research grants, support for international mobility, and joint projects. In addition, it operates on a competitive selection basis based on scientific merit. The fund also actively supports international collaboration, including joint projects with foreign partners and researcher exchanges. Participation typically requires a host institution or partner in Belgium.
The European Science Foundation is a European organization founded in 1974 that historically brought together national scientific institutions and research funding councils to coordinate European science. The Foundation has promoted the development of joint research programs, scientific networks, expert evaluations, and strategic planning in science. In recent years, the ESF has undergone a significant transformation and now operates primarily through its Science Connect division, which provides services in peer review, grant administration, and the organization of scientific events. It is important to note that the organization’s role and operational format have changed compared to its earlier period. Current opportunities should be checked directly on the official website.
The Education for Democracy Foundation is a Polish nongovernmental organization founded in 1989 that supports the development of democracy, civil society, and education in Poland and its partner countries. The Foundation implements projects in the areas of civic education, local community development, human rights, and international cooperation. The organization pays particular attention to the Eastern Partnership countries, especially Ukraine, by supporting the exchange of experiences in democratic transformation. The Foundation administers grant programs (particularly within the framework of broader Polish development cooperation initiatives) and promotes partnerships between Polish and Ukrainian organizations. Participation typically involves a partnership with a Polish organization.
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (The Friedrich Ebert Foundation)
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation is Germany’s oldest political foundation, established in 1925 and rooted in social democratic values. The foundation works in the areas of civic education, policy analysis, international dialogue, and democracy promotion, with offices in many countries around the world, including Ukraine. The organization conducts research, holds conferences and training sessions, and publishes analytical materials on social policy, economics, labor, and international relations. The foundation also provides scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students in Germany. Its office in Ukraine facilitates the establishment of cooperation. The foundation tends to support analytical, educational, and dialogue-based activities rather than awarding large research grants.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung)
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is a German foundation that promotes international scientific cooperation through prestigious fellowships and research grants for scholars from around the world. The Foundation enables researchers to undertake long-term research stays in Germany and supports a global network of over 30,000 “Humboldt scholars” in more than 140 countries. The selection process is highly competitive and is based on scientific excellence, not on nationality or research topic. The Foundation has special programs to support researchers in high-risk situations, including the Philip Schwartz Initiative and the MSCA4Ukraine program for displaced Ukrainian researchers. Fellowships cover all fields of science. The Foundation also maintains long-term relationships with its fellows after their grants have ended.
The Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation (Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF))
The Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation is an independent German charitable foundation established in 1983 that supports basic research in the field of biomedicine. The foundation funds talented young scientists at the beginning of their careers through prestigious PhD fellowships and short-term research grants. The selection process is highly competitive and focuses exclusively on cutting-edge basic biomedical science. In addition to funding, the foundation offers fellows mentoring support, training, and access to the scientific community. The Foundation operates independently of Boehringer Ingelheim’s commercial activities. The fellowships are primarily intended for graduate students and early-career researchers.
The Fritz Thyssen Foundation (Fritz Thyssen Stiftung)
The Fritz Thyssen Foundation is one of Germany’s first major private research foundations, established in 1959 to support academic research. The foundation funds projects primarily in the humanities and social sciences, biomedicine, and certain related fields. Its funding instruments include research grants, fellowships, and support for academic conferences and publications. The foundation focuses primarily on researchers affiliated with German academic institutions, but it also supports international collaboration. Priority is given to clearly defined research projects with a clear outcome. The foundation also funds the organization of scientific events.
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a German political foundation rooted in Christian Democratic values that operates in the fields of civic education, policy analysis, and international cooperation. The foundation has offices in many countries around the world, including Ukraine, and supports democratic development, the rule of law, and European integration. The organization conducts research, holds conferences and training sessions, publishes analytical reports, and awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in Germany. Its office in Ukraine facilitates networking. The foundation focuses more on supporting analytical, educational, and dialogue-based activities than on providing large research grants.
The Heinrich Böll Foundation is a German political foundation aligned with the values of green and environmental policy, working in the areas of democracy, human rights, the environment, and sustainable development. The foundation has offices around the world, including in Ukraine, and supports civil society, environmental initiatives, gender equality, and democratic reforms. The organization conducts research, holds conferences and training sessions, publishes analytical reports, and awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in Germany. Its office in Ukraine facilitates cooperation. The foundation primarily supports analytical, educational, and civic activities.
Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM)
The Foundation for Fundamental Research in the Physical Sciences is a Dutch organization that has historically funded fundamental research in physics and related physical sciences. The Foundation supported research programs, fellowships, and scientific infrastructure in the field of physics. As part of the reorganization of the Dutch research system, FOM was integrated into the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and these activities are now carried out through the NWO division responsible for the natural and exact sciences. Current funding opportunities should be sought through official NWO channels. The foundation focuses on basic, rather than applied, science.
The Lady Davis Scholarship Fund is an Israeli scholarship fund that supports international academic mobility to leading universities in Israel, primarily the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Technion. The fund awards fellowships to researchers with a Ph.D. and visiting professors from around the world to conduct research and teach in Israel. The fellowships cover a wide range of academic disciplines and are based on academic excellence. The selection process is competitive, with specific annual deadlines. The Foundation supports both early-career and experienced scholars.
The Polish-American Freedom Foundation is an organization founded in 2000 that supports the development of democracy, civil society, and education in Poland and other countries in the region, drawing on Poland’s experience with transformation. The Foundation implements a range of programs in the areas of education, community development, leadership, and the exchange of experiences related to democratic transformation. The initiative best known to Ukrainians is the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program, which enables young leaders and professionals from Ukraine and other countries in the region to study at Polish universities. The Foundation also implements support programs in response to the war in Ukraine. The Foundation’s programs are often administered by Polish partner institutions. The Foundation places significant emphasis on leadership development.
The Civil Research and Development Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization headquartered in the United States that promotes security, resilience, and sustainable development through science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The organization was established at the initiative of the U.S. government to support civilian science, initially in the countries of the former Soviet Union, and later expanded its activities to other regions. CRDF Global provides grants and scholarships, organizes business plan competitions and training sessions, modernizes laboratories, and supports participation in conferences. The organization has a long and active history of work in Ukraine, particularly in the areas of bio- and chemical safety, cybersecurity, food security, and entrepreneurship support. Opportunities are often developed in collaboration with donors and partners. The organization focuses on practical results and capacity building.
The Andrew Mellon Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the United States dedicated to supporting the humanities and the arts. The Foundation provides funding to universities, research institutions, libraries, museums, and cultural organizations, as well as to programs aimed at advancing humanities research, higher education, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The Foundation operates primarily through institutional grants rather than individual fellowships and gives priority to organizations in the United States, although it also supports international projects. Direct applications from foreign institutions are generally limited. The Foundation plays a significant role in supporting the humanities worldwide.
The Ford Foundation is one of the largest American charitable foundations, established in 1936, focused on addressing inequality around the world. The Foundation funds projects in the areas of human rights, social and economic justice, democratic governance, education, culture, and the development of civil society. The Foundation operates through a network of regional offices and primarily provides support to organizations and institutions rather than to individuals. Direct individual funding is generally not available. The Foundation has a significant impact in the areas of social justice and human rights.
The Alfred Sloan Foundation is an American charitable foundation established in 1934 that supports research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics. The foundation funds research projects, scientific initiatives, programs to support researchers, and projects aimed at popularizing science. Among its well-known programs are the prestigious Sloan Research Fellowships for young scientists (primarily in the U.S. and Canada). The foundation operates primarily through institutional grants and focuses on North American institutions. Direct applications from foreign institutions are typically limited. The foundation has a significant impact on the natural and exact sciences.
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is an American charitable foundation established in 1926 that supports community development, civil society, the environment, and education. The Foundation has a long history of supporting civil society in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Ukraine, by funding nongovernmental organizations and development initiatives. The Foundation operates primarily through grants to organizations rather than individual scholarships. Direct individual funding is generally not provided. The Foundation places significant emphasis on community building and sustainable development.
The Trisher Foundation is an American charitable foundation that supports medical research aimed at improving children’s health worldwide. The foundation funds research projects with an evidence-based medical foundation, particularly those that can have a practical impact on children’s health in countries with varying income levels. Its funding tools include major research grants and programs for early-career researchers. Selection is based on scientific merit and potential impact. The foundation focuses on applied medical research.
The Grass Foundation is an American charitable foundation that supports research and education in the field of neuroscience. The foundation funds fellowships, internships, and programs for young neuroscientists, including the well-known summer research program at the Marine Biological Laboratory. The Foundation focuses on fostering early-stage scientific careers and supporting fundamental neuroscience research. Selection is competitive and based on scientific potential. The Foundation primarily supports young scientists.
The Spencer Foundation is an American charitable foundation established in 1962 that specializes in supporting research in the field of education. The foundation funds research projects aimed at improving education and understanding educational processes, and supports researchers at various stages of their careers. Its funding instruments include research grants of various sizes and fellowships for dissertation research. The Foundation focuses primarily on researchers affiliated with U.S. institutions, although it also supports select international projects. Direct applications from foreign institutions are typically limited. The Foundation plays a significant role in the advancement of educational research.
The Life Sciences Foundation is an American foundation that supports postdoctoral research in the life sciences. The foundation awards prestigious fellowships to talented researchers in the fields of biology, biomedicine, and related sciences, regardless of the specific topic within the life sciences. Funding is provided with support from various sponsors, and the selection process is highly competitive and based on scientific merit. The fellowships are designed for the early stages of an independent research career. The Foundation supports fundamental biological research.
The Canon Science Foundation is a charitable foundation that promotes scientific and cultural exchange between Europe and Japan. The foundation awards prestigious research fellowships that enable European researchers to conduct research in Japan and Japanese researchers to conduct research in Europe. The fellowships are open to researchers in various fields and are awarded based on academic excellence. The Foundation promotes mutual understanding between the two regions through science and education. The selection process is competitive, with specific annual deadlines. Fellowships may vary in duration.
The Matsumae International Foundation is a Japanese charitable foundation that supports international scientific cooperation through fellowships for foreign researchers. The foundation awards fellowships to researchers holding a Ph.D., enabling scholars from around the world to conduct research at Japanese universities and research institutions. The fellowships are open to researchers in various fields, with priority given to the natural sciences, engineering, and medical sciences, and are awarded based on academic merit. The selection process is competitive, with an annual deadline. The foundation also promotes the development of long-term ties between fellows and the Japanese scientific community.
The International Renaissance Foundation is one of Ukraine’s largest charitable foundations, established in 1990 as part of George Soros’s international network of Open Society Foundations. The Foundation supports the development of an open society, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, education, and civil society in Ukraine. It funds projects by nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, and educational and cultural initiatives through grant competitions. The Foundation plays a significant role in supporting reforms, European integration, and community development, as well as in responding to wartime challenges. Funding is typically provided to organizations through open competitions. The Foundation has an extensive network of partners in Ukraine and abroad.
