The Institute for Documentation and Exchange is pleased to announce the pilot launch of the INDEX Veteran Fellowship, a new initiative tailored to engage Ukrainian veterans with backgrounds in cultural or academic fields in the documentation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. During the three-month period (September–November 2025), the inaugural fellow will implement an individual research or artistic project that captures and reflects on their service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Russian war against Ukraine. The aim of the programme is to amplify veterans’ voices and transform their experiences into knowledge of existential importance for societies both within and beyond Ukraine.
About the Veteran Fellowship
As of December 2024, Ukraine had registered 1.2 million veterans. Rather than professional servicemembers, the Ukrainian Armed Forces overwhelmingly rely on yesterday’s civilians, including culture makers and academics, who enlisted after Russia’s invasion. Their return to pre-war occupations is fraught with social and professional challenges.
In the autumn of 2025, INDEX will support one veteran with prior experience in academic or cultural fields who is interested in documenting their personal experience through visual art, literature, film, photography, academic writing, or other forms of expression.
The period of INDEX’s pilot Veteran Fellowship scheme is from 1 September to 30 November 2025 in Lviv.
The programme aims to:
— Support reintegration of veterans within cultural and creative industries;
— Provide mentorship and access to professional networks;
— Facilitate the production and public presentation of a cultural project during the fellowship;
— Create a space for reflection, learning, and exchange.
The Veteran Fellow will be offered the following opportunities:
— A stipend of $1,200 USD (in UAH equivalent)
— Accommodation in a centrally located flat in Lviv
— Access to office space at INDEX (Fellows’ room)
— Media outreach opportunities, including interviews and podcast features with INDEX’s media partners
— Participation in a vibrant programme of cultural and academic events in Lviv and other Ukrainian cities
— Study visits to cultural institutions and meetings with key stakeholders
— Mentorship from leading Ukrainian cultural practitioners
This opportunity is open to veterans of Ukraine’s Armed Forces who:
— Can demonstrate work experience in the cultural or academic sector;
— Have a clear interest in returning to or further developing their creative or academic practice;
— Propose a feasible and relevant cultural project to be developed during the fellowship.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to submit:
— CV;
— Brief personal statement (max 500 words) describing their professional background, motivations for applying, and initial ideas for a cultural project;
— Relevant samples of previous work (up to three links or pdfs).
The Fellowship selection committee will be announced soon.
Application form: https://forms.gle/ke2f17bsnCXe9ZQj6
Deadline: 11 July 2025
Announcement of the selection results: by 21 July 2025
Should you have any additional questions, please contact us at info@index-ukraine.org.
The Veteran Fellowship at INDEX is supported by SCAN SYSTEMS LTD, as well as the Ukrainian Credit Union in Canada.
