143 students admitted and awarded $37,000,000+ in full scholarships
UGS is a results-focused organization. Since 2015, we have facilitated the placement of 143 Ukrainian students from modest backgrounds into top boarding schools and colleges on full scholarships (i.e., covering tuition as well as room & board). Over the same 5-year period, we grew our applicant pool from 100+ to 750+, covering every region of Ukraine, including Crimea. 40% of applications come from students in small Ukrainian towns and villages. We scaled the number of scholars we support yearly from 10+ to 50+, determined to drive the critical mass of well-educated Ukrainians. Our Academic, Boarding school, and College advising teams played a critical role growing our community of Mentors and building strategic partnerships with top boarding schools and colleges. In addition to school placements, we have partnered with 40 Ukraine-based employers to facilitate 8-week summer internships for our scholars. To take the UGS impact beyond our organization, we also support and encourage our alumni in building their own entrepreneurial ventures, impacting new communities worldwide.
Example partner schools and colleges
Matriculations to boarding schools and colleges
Boarding Schools
Colleges
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Summer internship placements
Are you a Ukraine-based employer and woud like to offer an internship to our students? Please email jlemesh@ugs.foundation.
Ventures started by UGS community
PrivacySpy
PrivacySpy is an open project, featured by New York Times in 2020, that uses a consistent rubric to grade privacy policies on a ten-point scale. PrivacySpy is co-founded by Igor Barakaiev, UGS '16, Andover '20, Stanford '24.
Movadex
Award-winning software development and design agency that offers digital services to startups around the globe since 2018. Movadex merges art and business, offering a groundbreaking software outsource model at the highest quality standards. Movadex is co-founded by Salome Mikadze, UGS '15, Emma Willard '18, Georgetown '22.
AstroSandbox
AstroSandbox helps Ukrainian school students study Astronomy in-depth and create connections between young astronomers from different regions of the country. AstroSandbox organizes webinars and lectures throughout Ukraine popularizing Astronomy. Recently it has received a prestigious Studway Awards 2020 in the 'Scientific Project' nomination. AstroSandbox is founded by Taisiia Karasova, UGS '19.
YNGO PLUS
Youth NGO “PLUS” is a non-profit organization that provides free educational opportunities to Ukrainian youth. YNGO PLUS hosts webinars and online courses on different topics — from “writing perfect CV” to “robotics in Ukraine.” The team recently won a grant from InScience and UNICEF to create a board game that develops critical thinking and crisis-management skills. Co-founded by Nathan Syvash UGS ’20, Dartmouth ’25 and Liliia Alieksanova UGS ’20, Babson ’25.
DecidEd
DecidEd is a Ukraine-based non-profit with a mission of giving high school students equal access to information about higher education regardless of which school they go to or which city they live in. Students can check real reviews on the quality of education and employment opportunities in universities and on specific majors written by current students. DecidEd is co-founded by Nataliia Nevichana, UGS '16, Franklin & Marshall '21.
ENGin
ENGin is a peer to peer English language program that connects fluent English speakers to Ukrainian students for free weekly online speaking practice sessions. ENGin was founded by Katerina Manoff, the former head of college counseling at UGS, with the support of many members of the UGS community.
Mavka
Mavka is an educational non-profit that helps Ukrainian high school students, especially from underprivileged backgrounds, prepare for college-entrance exams. The platform provides personalized planner, collections of peer-reviewed study materials and practice tests. The big mission is to fight educational inequality and to promote the culture of self-directed learning in Ukraine. Co-founded by Artem Laptiev, UGS '17, Fryeburg '20, MIT '25, Tonia Zakorchemna, UGS '16, Fryeburg'19, Dartmouth '24, and Daniil Ozernyi, UGS '17, Northfield Mount Hermon '20, Northwestern '25.
Reports
Interactive list of scholars (in progress)
Junior Academy of Sciences researcher in Math and Physics, multi-time winner of regional Olympiads and Tournaments in Math and Physics, project management director in a non-profit organization ”WiTech Ukraine” Founder of “Proмолодь”, Klitschko Foundation Alumna, pianist, social volunteer.
Programmer, Physicist, Silver medalist at Malaysia Technology Expo with an educational project «Graph», designer at Mavka project, educational volunteer
International Junior Science Olympiad bronze medalist, co-leader at MathFit (educational web project), Math teacher, winner of 7 regional olympiads and 3 national tournaments in Math, Physics, and Astronomy, 2nd kyu in Aikido
Founder of the eco-project “EcoDnipro” and the online school “InnovEd,” web-developer, volunteer in animal shelters, STEM tutor, and summer camp organizer for children.
Environmental activist, mentor of UGS Jr, agronomy researcher, member of New York Academy of Sciences, winner of "Genius Olympiad 2021", Klitschko Foundation alumnus
Winner of the All-Ukrainian Biology Olympiad, 1st place in regional Junior Academy of Sciences Research Competitions in Biology, Ecology, and Chemistry, winner of city-level Olympiads in Chemistry and Geography, artist, pianist, ukulele player
Author of a town mural “The possibility of Generations,” environmental and civic activist, organizer of teenager’s game competitions, interested in psychology, graphic design, learning to play the guitar.
Robotics software developer, devised a robot that can drive his flat freely avoiding obstacles using artificial intelligence, IT STEP Academy student.
Agents of Change alumna and mentor, School of Success ambassador, winner of city and district olympiads in Physics, Math, and Chemistry, School of Nuclear Power alumna, dancer, volunteer
Winner of International Junior Science Olympiad, multi-time winner of Junior Academy of Science Research Competitions in theoretical physics, gender equality in STEM activist, founder of a handmade eco-bag business, programmer, artist.
FLEX Alumnus, American NSDA member and debater, an alumnus and the former head of the regional Educational Department in the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, former Ukrainian Volunteering Service city representative, writer.
Co-founder of Kyiv School Debate Club, 5th kyu in karate, volunteer at School Recycling World, winner of 8 regional Olympiads
Agents of Change '19 Alumna, International Baccalaureate Diploma student '22, winner of city olimpiads in German, social activist, volunteer, singer
Co-founder of eco-project «Save Our Planet», programmer, winner of 30+ international and regional dance competitions, Junior Academy of Sciences researcher in Foreign Literature, social activist, volunteer.
Interviewer and volunteer in ENGin; content-maker in MAVKA and Science Mentoring; winner of international hakathon Corruption Disruption; JAS researcher in Foreign Languages and Literatures; multi-time winner of regional and all-Ukrainian olympiads in Ukrainian, English and Polish; linguist; pianist and self-taught guitarist; biker
Winner of district level olympiads in 5 subjects, musician & composer, application and artificial intelligence developer, participant in orienteering competitions.
Founder and volunteer of a social project "With all my heart" dedicated to promoting inclusion, educational coach and volunteer, winner of the city-level Junior Academy of Sciences Research contest in pedagogy, dancer, Klitschko Foundation Alumna '19
2nd place at the Ukrainian Taekwondo Championship, winner of the city-level Junior Academy of Sciences Research Competition, Ukrainian Leadership Academy alumna, artist, volunteer.
Co-founder of AI Fresh Station, mobile apps developer at Dev-better company(FitTrack project), winner of iCan, INTARG Poland, Warsaw Invention Show, and DevChallenge, co-founder of Bodjo.net, volunteer at Code Club.
Winner of 19 National saber fencing tournaments, horse rider, Junior Academy of Sciences researcher in English, volunteer at an animal shelter, winner of district olympiads in English and Foreign literature.
FLEX alumna’20, co-founder of youth ecological and vegan project LetsGoGreen, multi-time winner of regional Olympiads in Geography, History and Law, Zero Waste School mentor at Klitschko Foundation, volunteer at nonprofit organizations, social activist
Ballroom and Latin dancer, Klitschko Foundation&Aspen Teens alumna, “WiTech Ukraine” nonprofit leader, European Youth Parliament International delegate, Goethe Institute scholarship winner, YBIT International volunteer
Graphic designer, TOP-10 participants in international IT conference, winner of 20+ regional and district Olympiads, leader at environmental NGO ESMU, eco-shopkeeper, musician, artist
Author of research in Biology, New York Academy of Sciences member, winner of 10+ city & regional Olympiads, winner of multiple regional & national vocal competitions, pianist, composer, founder of youth organization "Heritage of Ukraine," school president
Selected to participate in the International Junior Science Olympiad; multi-time winner of All-Ukrainian “Financial Genius” competition, winner of city-level Olympiads in Physics, Astronomy, IT, and Geography; programmer and astrophotographer, volunteer.
3rd place in the National Chemistry Olympiad, 2nd place in the regional Junior Academy of Sciences Research Competition in Chemistry, winner of the regional Olympiads in Chemistry, Physics and Economics, theater actor, tennis player.
Winner of National festivals and regional guitar competitions, self-taught programmer, SMM, and design at NGO "ESMU" (eco-education), build a branded website, volunteered in Klitschko Foundation, winner of regional Math, Physics, and IT Olympiads and Tournaments.
"Winner of regional Junior Academy of Science Research Competition in History&Biology, participant in scientific conferences, all-Ukrainian TED-Ed speaker, delegate in all-Ukrainian Module UN 2019, researcher in “EcoDnipro” project, volunteer, pianist "
Winner of regional Math and Chemistry Olympiads, 2nd place in regional Junior Academy of Sciences Research Competition in Linguistics, pianist
Winner of city-level Junior Academy of Sciences Research Competition in English philology and marketing, MUN participant and team leader, founder and Editor-in-Chief of “The Horizons,” online-publishing, head of the student council, scout, volunteer, self-taught photographer & musician.
Co-founder of eco app Malva, prize holder at 9 international STEM competitions, researcher at NYJAS, member of Ukrainian Debating Association and winner of the national debating tournaments, math and programming tutor
Author of research work in Economics, winner of All-Ukrainian History Tournament, winner of regional Track competitions, winner of regional olympiads in Programming, IT, Maths, Physics, and History, former member of a National Junior Chess Team
Multi-time winner of International Olympiads in Astrophysics and international visual art contests, volunteer in a non-profit organization AstroSandbox, mentor at Math club
New York Junior Academy of Sciences member, researcher of the Junior Academy of Sciences in Economics, co-founder and Android developer at NGO Dumka, data scientist, computer science teacher, long-distance runner, orienteer.
Tolerance and inclusion promoter, volunteer in the local Home for the Elderly, positive change maker, environmental and social activist, artist, tennis, and badminton player.
Co-founder and project manager of UkrTeenScience, CEO of Science Mentoring, co-CEO GSorb, the leader of Ukrainian team at International TOS Biology Bowl, multi-time participant of BrainBee, EYP member, poet
Winner of All-Ukrainian Junior Academy of Sciences Research Competition in Pedagogy, winner of the European Heritage Makers Week, author of socially significant and scientific literature, laureate of President’s scholarship for young writers and artists
Winner of All-Ukrainian Physics Tournament, multiplе winner of regional Olympiads in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science, LGBTQ+ rights activist, certified fitness trainer.
Еco activist since she was 5 years old. Co-founder of ukrainian chapter of internetional organization for women in STEM. Volunteer in four organizations.
Digital artist, public speaker, developed and presented ecological startups and strategies for Diamond Challenge 2019 and 2020
3rd place in National Junior Academy of Sciences Research Competition in Pedagogy, expert orienteer and hiker, actress, manager of the project «Give Dream To Child of Hero», member of NGO Kontur, Town Youth Centre volunteer.
Winner of regional olympiads in Chemistry, 1st place at a regional rowing competition, winner of district-level Olympiads in History and English, top-3 at regional rowing competitions in different boats.
Co-creator of the ProBatareiky ecological project, ENGin volunteer, co-leaded a local Youth Council(organized social and environmental projects), violinist & guitarist, artist, dancer
Winner of Math, Economic, Astronomy and Coding Olympiads, Junior Academy of Sciences researcher in Economics, school vice-president, founder of the several school clubs
Winner of International Astronomy Olympiad, Global e-Competition on Astronomy and Astrophysics, multiple National Olympiads in Astronomy and Physics, and 2nd place in the National Junior Academy of Sciences Research competition, musician.
TV journalist, social activist, videomaker, film director, multi-time winner of national and international media contests, member of European Youth Parliament, Girl2Leader Ukraine alumna, Moonshot Pirates ambassador, head of NGO ESMU Kharkiv.
PR and Outreach lead in the pioneer Ukrainian FRC team, received Dean’s List award in Istanbul, winner of city-level Law & History Olympiads, researcher in Sociology & Religion, Presidential Scholarship recipient, graphic & 3D designer, debater.
Software Developer, freelancer, mentor at CodeClub, founder of the Cosmopolite, creator of ReversoAPI, winner of IT and Math Olympiads, 1st place in All-Ukrainian stage of Taras Shevchenko International Creative Writing Competition, Muay Thai boxer.
Multi-time winner of All-Ukrainian Olympiads in Linguistics, two-time participant in Asia Pacific Olympiad in Linguistics, Ukrainian Olympiads in Linguistics Committee member, volunteer in educational youth projects, visual artist, flutist and guitarist, author of surreal novels.
Multi-time winner of Olympiads in Programming, Geography, and History, captain of the city FIRST Robotics Competition YOVi 8504 team, International Delegate of the European Youth Parliament, volunteer at YNGO PLUS and Simply Neuroscience.
Founder of "Talks Outside the Box," RISE 2021 finalist, TED-Ed Club speaker, social activist, Klitschko Foundation & Agents of Change alumna, PrivatBank Olympiad finalist nominated for the most creative business idea, visual artist.
Actress and director, 4 years of acting training, co-founder of school English Theater Club, volunteer in an international feministic organization and online theater, LINOLEUM Animation Festival competition finalist. Model United Nations participant.