Call for Applications: 1-11 July 2026, Summer School "Ukraine in Europe: Studying Ahead"

Call for Applications

Ukraine in Europe: Studying Ahead.

An International Summer School
for Students of Social Sciences and Humanities

1-11 July 2026, Justus Liebig University Giessen/Germany

Ukraine is at the centre of many debates, yet its position in Europe remains complex. Join the Summer School “Ukraine in Europe: Studying Ahead” at the Justus Liebig University Giessen/Germany to explore this complexity together!

The Giessen Center for Eastern European Studies at Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany) invites applications for its 11-day Summer School, organised within the German-Ukrainian University Network “Ukraine in Europe” and funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with budgetary resources allocated by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The DAAD programme brings together universities and students from Germany and Ukraine with the aim of strengthening long-term academic cooperation, supporting the reconstruction of Ukraine’s higher education sector, and contributing to Ukraine’s integration into the European Higher Education Area.

About our Summer School

The Summer School will take place in Giessen, Germany, from 1 to 11 July 2026 and is designed for BA students and recent graduates from Germany and Ukraine who are interested in exploring Ukraine’s role in contemporary Europe through interdisciplinary and interactive learning.

In the context of ongoing political, social, and cultural change, Ukraine has emerged as a key actor in Europe. The Summer School invites participants to reflect through dynamic learning activities on:

·        How is Ukraine (re)defining its place in Europe amid current geopolitical challenges?

·        How do contemporary discourses around Ukraine shape Europe’s future?

·        How do migration and transnational social relationships shape the future of Ukraine in Europe?

·        What role do language policies, language ideologies and language conflicts play in multilingual Europe?

·        What does Ukraine’s experience reveal about Europe’s capacity for solidarity, resilience, and integration?

Our Summer School will provide a unique opportunity for students from the humanities (e.g. history, linguistics, cultural and literary studies) to engage with the social sciences (such as sociology, political science, and international relations), and vice versa. Participants from Germany will get a unique possibility to discuss and network with Ukrainian students. Ukrainian participants will gain first-hand insight into campus life and the academic environment of a German university.

What Awaits You

• Interactive discussions that explore Ukraine’s past, present, and future in a broader European context,
• A rich social and cultural programme in Giessen and the surrounding region,
• Building connections with an international community of students and scholars beyond your home institution,
• Stepping outside a traditional academic routine and exploring new ways of thinking,
• Participation is free of charge. Break snacks and lunch will be provided.
• Financial support for Ukrainian participants includes:
  • Accommodation in a hotel (triple rooms),
  • Breakfast and lunch,
  • One-time €350 travel allowance. 

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate of participation. Students of JLU Gießen and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) can get recognised credit points or partial components in related modules in agreement with the participating lecturers.

Requirements

• Strong interest in Ukraine-related topics as well as interest in German-Ukrainian networking,
• BA student status (or a completed BA degree) at a German or Ukrainian university in social sciences, humanities, or related fields,
• Sufficient English proficiency for active participation in discussions.

Application Documents:

• Short CV (1–2 pages),
• Short motivation letter (max. 1 page) explaining your interest in the topics of the Summer School,
• Proof of student status or diploma.

Application Deadline:  30 April 2026.

Selection Process:

The Summer School is limited to 20 participants from Ukraine and Germany. Participants will be selected based on academic background, motivation, language skills and relevance of interests to the Summer School theme. Students or alumni of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA), National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” and Justus Liebig University Giessen will be given priority by the selection committee.

How to Submit:

Please send your application documents in one PDF file to: duhn@uni-giessen.de