Overview
Global UGRAD is a US State Department-funded exchange program that brings current undergraduate students from eligible countries to a US university for one academic year — it's explicitly a non-degree exchange year, not a path to a full US bachelor's degree, and participants return to complete their degree at their home institution afterward.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current undergraduate students (not yet graduated) at a university in an eligible country, generally in their first through third year of study, with strong academic standing and demonstrated leadership or community involvement. Eligible countries and exact class-year requirements are set by the program and can change by cycle.
How to Apply
Applications go through your home country's Global UGRAD implementing partner or the local US Embassy's exchange programs office — not directly to a US university, since UGRAD centrally places accepted participants at a US host institution.
What It Covers
The program is fully funded for its one-year duration: tuition, housing, a living stipend, health insurance, and round-trip airfare are covered, along with structured community engagement activities as part of the exchange experience.
Tips
- Check your country's eligibility and current application window through your local US Embassy's exchange programs page — Global UGRAD isn't open to every country every cycle.
- Be clear-eyed that this is a one-year exchange, not a bachelor's degree — plan your home degree timeline around the exchange year rather than expecting it to replace your full studies.
- Strong community leadership experience matters as much as academics in Global UGRAD selection — highlight it specifically in your application.
Always confirm current deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility directly on the official program's website (globalugrad.org) before applying — these details change from year to year.