UK Academic Mentoring Programme

About the Programme

The UK-Ukraine Academic Mentoring Programme is an initiative under the broader framework of Science for Ukraine. Our mission is to support Ukrainian academics whose careers have been disrupted by the ongoing war by connecting them with UK-based mentors for structured, goal-oriented one-on-one online mentorships, offering:

• Guidance on career planning and academic writing.
• Support with grant applications and navigating UK research funding.
• Advice on networking, publication processes and profile building.
• Practical tips for transitioning into or advancing within UK academia.

Mentorships typically last three months, with flexible arrangements for meeting frequency and format to accommodate the schedules of both mentors and mentees.

Why this is Important

The war has created profound challenges for Ukrainian academics, many of whom face disruptions to their research and careers. By sharing your expertise, you can help them navigate these challenges, rebuild their professional lives, and continue making valuable contributions to the global academic community.

Key Impact & Statistics (as of 2026)

• Over 800 participants registered.
• Over 400 mentoring pairs formed.
• Over 40 UK-Ukraine university pairs were linked to promote the academic mentoring scheme.

How You Can Contribute

We are seeking UK-based academics to volunteer as mentors. As a mentor, you would:

• Commit to a flexible mentorship schedule that fits your availability.
• Provide tailored support and guidance in your area of expertise.
• Help mentees access new opportunities and overcome professional obstacles.

UK-Ukraine University Partnerships

A non-exhaustive list of universities supporting the mentoring scheme is presented below. External link icons indicate pages you can visit for more information.

• Loughborough University & O.M. Beketov & Odesa National Universities
• University of Edinburgh & Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
• Edge Hill University & Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University
• University of York & Karazin Kharkiv National University
• University of Warwick & Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics
• University of Birmingham & Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
• Newcastle University & National University of Water and Environmental Engineering
• University of Glasgow & National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy
• University of Exeter & King Danylo University

Get Involved

• UK Academics - Become a mentor and support a Ukrainian colleague’s academic journey

• Ukrainian Researchers - Gain tailored guidance and expand your professional network

• Institutions & Partners - Help scale the programme for lasting impact