About the Programme

The Scholars in Residence Programme is an INDEX project, supported by the ERSTE Foundation, which explores how societies uphold critical discourse and civic life during existential threats. It is designed to enhance international colleagues’ understanding of civic and social processes in Ukraine and to support the on-site production of knowledge about the country. The programme is open to both Ukrainians and international specialists. During the one-month residency, participants have a unique opportunity to observe, analyse, and gain insights into how Ukrainian institutions protect independent media and civil society during wartime.

Within the framework of the 2026 programme, media and academic professionals have the opportunity to spend a month working on their own research or media project while living in the centre of Lviv, using the INDEX workspace and network. At the end of the residency, participants may present their work in the form of a public event or an internal seminar with professional discussants.

By inviting international media practitioners and researchers to Lviv, we disseminate knowledge that strengthens Europe's resilience and helps open societies learn from the Ukrainian experience of crisis innovation.

Scholars + Veterans Collaboration Model

The Scholars in Residence programme runs alongside INDEX’s Veteran Programme, fostering collaboration between international researchers and Ukrainian veterans working on projects about their combat experience. This partnership grounds academic and media work in lived reality while connecting veterans with global scholarly networks. It’s a two-way exchange when international participants gain insights unavailable in archives, and veterans learn new methods to strengthen the impact of their stories.

Who Can Apply? (2026 Open call)

Media Professionals (3 positions): Journalists, documentary filmmakers and digital media specialists from abroad and Ukraine, that are actively engaged with issues of media independence, civil society or democratic resilience, and interested in documenting Ukrainian wartime experiences 

Academics (3 positions): Researchers and scholars (humanities and social sciences), working on topics related to authoritarianism, conflict documentation, civil society, media studies or democratic defence, and committed to producing research that contributes to the understanding of wartime resilience.

What is Included in the Residency:

• Accommodation for one month in a one-bedroom flat in the centre of Lviv; months of residency: January, February, March, October, November or December 2026

• Work space in the INDEX office in the centre of Lviv

• Access to INDEX's research and cultural networks across Ukraine

• Participation in a programme of cultural and academic events organised by INDEX and partner institutions

• Study visits to local cultural and research institutions and meetings with key stakeholders

• Opportunity to work on an independent documentation or media project.

Please note that the programme does not provide a scholarship.

Public event format: INDEX manages the logistics of public discussions, interviews, presentations, readings, or other event formats suitable for the Resident's project. Leveraging our extensive cultural and academic network, we can also provide conceptual support for the event: identifying and inviting speakers or a moderator, helping to define the target audience, and assisting in shaping the focus of the discussion.

Internal seminar: This session takes the form of an internal peer-review roundtable, modelled on an academic seminar. During the seminar, the Resident has the opportunity to present their findings, receive feedback from colleagues, or seek advice on the future direction of their project. In internal seminars, we discuss both work in its final stages of proofing or approval and initial materials requiring substantial development. To ensure the feedback is as useful as possible, we invite specialists from relevant fields— recognised local academics, researchers, or artists — to act as discussants, providing detailed feedback and leading a Q&A session.

Note regarding safety: In light of the risks associated with Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, those international participants who choose to travel to Ukraine assume personal responsibility and are encouraged to purchase travel insurance. INDEX will not be held liable for any emergency that might occur during their stay.

Feedback

I truly cannot overstate how much I appreciated the atmosphere at INDEX. From the thoughtful exhibits to the positive nature of everyone working there and the genuine team spirit, it was an important reminder that creative spaces can be collaborative and supportive instead of being competitive. I immediately felt at home at INDEX and am so grateful that I had the opportunity and the space to think about my project with such thoughtful people who took seriously the task of helping me do this project better.
Emily Channell-Justice, the INDEX Scholar in Residence during October 2025

The programme’s key benefits included the opportunity to spend a month living in the heart of Lviv while accessing some of Ukraine’s leading academic and research institutions, such as INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Exchange; the Ukrainian Catholic University, with its library and database resources; and the Centre for Urban History of East Central Europe, including its library. It also offered the chance to meet with experts and colleagues sharing related research interests.
Yevhen Zakharchenko,  the INDEX Scholar in Residence during January 2025

Thanks to the support of INDEX, I spent a month in Lviv and other cities, meeting with fifty-plus Ukrainians and various local organizations. We shared much more than just a cup of coffee. We explored our similarities and our differences, seeking to understand the true nature of resilience, resistance, and peace.
Jason Chihhsin Liu,  the INDEX Scholar in Residence during March 2026