Background and Rationale

As Ukraine advances toward EU accession, alignment with Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights of the EU – Ukraine Negotiations Framework remains central to securing sustainable reforms grounded in human rights and the rule of law. In this context, strengthening national research capacity is both timely and strategic. The RWI Ukraine Research Academy on Human Rights and EU Law will support PhD students (including  second doctoral degree seekers) enrolled at Ukrainian universities and faculty members who are working on development of separate course module or methodological support to a course included into current curricular (development of cases, practical assignments, role plays scenarios, moot courts materials etc.),  in conducting independent, high-quality research relevant to human rights and the EU accession process. By providing dedicated time, academic resources, and institutional mentoring, the programme aims to enhance methodological rigor, strengthen national knowledge production, foster academic networks, and generate publishable, policy-relevant scholarship that contributes to legal, institutional, and societal reforms.

The Research Academy offers structured academic support to ensure research excellence and publication readiness through individual mentoring by senior researchers, peer-review feedback, writing workshops, and guidance on publication strategies as well development of the practical course materials. The Academy Fellows will receive support for submitting their work to peer-reviewed journals or edited volumes, with opportunities to publish through RWI channels, contingent to the quality of the publication, as well as assistance in developing policy briefs and dissemination strategies. Please, note that RWI does not guarantee or provide publications in the academic journals, magazines etc. included into the databases Scopus and Web of Science. The programme also supports participants in translating their research into policy-relevant recommendations that contribute to reform discussions under Chapter 23 of the EU – Ukraine Negotiations Framework.

The Research Academy will be implemented in three components:

1) Launch Workshop (tentatively June 2026)

An initial in-person workshop in Kyiv will introduce fellows to:

• Orientation and fellowship expectations
• Chapter 23 and human rights priorities
• Academic publishing strategies and requirements
• Research design refinement

2) Academic Programme in online and/or hybrid format (June–December 2026)

Delivered via Canvas online platform or in hybrid format, including lectures and interactive seminars on:

• Human rights research methodologies
• Integration of gender and intersectional perspectives
• Human rights pedagogy and education design
• Mainstreaming human rights across non-legal disciplines

On substantive topics, each fellow will receive individual research mentoring and academic supervision, including structured feedback on research design, theoretical framing, and methodology.

3) Research & Residency Period (August–December 2026)

Academy Fellows may choose one of two modalities:

• Up to two-month residency at RWI in Lund, Sweden
• Remote research work from Ukraine with structured online mentorship from RWI Research and Education Department and affiliated scholars.

All Academy Fellows will receive:

• Access to Lund University library and electronic resources
• Academic supervision and peer exchange
• Online participation in RWI seminars and academic events
• Institutional affiliation and integration into the RWI research environment

Academy Fellows undertaking a residency in Lund will receive a stipend covering living costs, as well as travel and accommodation expenses.

Final Workshop (December 2026)

The programme will conclude with a final workshop dedicated to the presentation of research outcomes, peer-review discussions, and structured dialogue with academic and policy stakeholders. By the end of the programme, Academy Fellows are expected to have prepared a draft journal article, dissertation chapter, or policy-relevant research paper, practical course materials, present their findings and results at the workshop, and submit a dissemination plan outlining concrete pathways for publication and/or policy engagement as well as for incorporation of the developed practical materials into existing course.

• 1 April 2026 – Call opens
• End April 2026 – Application deadline
• End May 2026 – Selection completed
• June 2026 – Programme launch workshop
• August–December 2026 – Research and residency phase
• December 2026 – Final workshop and presentation of results

Applicants must: 

• Be enrolled as PhD students or be a full-time faculty member in Ukrainian university 
• Conduct research relevant to human rights and/or Chapter 23, preferences will be given to the Fundamental rights section subject matter areas or teach relevant to human rights and/or Chapter 23 course(s) which are integrated part of the official curricular of the university 
• Demonstrate academic excellence and research potential 
• Have strong proficiency in English (if their Master’s degree was not conducted in English) 
• Commit to participating in all phases of the programme, remotely or through the two-month residency in Lund 

For application, please provide the following documents:

1. Updated CV indicating among other things:
   ○ Name of the university of current employment or affiliation
   ○ Academic degree and/or title (if any)
   ○Position held in the university
   ○ A list of publications (if any) and courses taught (if applicable)

2. A 1–2 page research proposal, outlining:
   ○ Topic
   ○ Objectives
   ○ Methodology
   ○ Relevance to human rights and Ukraine’s EU accession process – i.e. Chapter 23.
   ○ Deliverable and expected impact

3. Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)

4. Motivation letter with confirmation of availability for participation in all programme phases.

Applications will be assessed jointly by the RWI Research and Education Department and the RWI Ukraine Office. Number of fellowships is limited, and the selection will be made on a competitive basis.

The selection process will be conducted by RWI based on the assessment of written applications, in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined above. Applications will be evaluated in terms of their relevance, completeness and quality of the research proposal. If necessary, the process may include follow-up clarification and interviews. No specific quotas or allocated places will be assigned to individual universities, and submission of an application does not guarantee selection.

Required application documents, which are listed above, should be sent to the email address [email protected] until 18.00 Kyiv time of 30th of April 2026.

In case you have any questions or need clarifications, please contact Igor Osyka, Deputy Country Director Ukraine of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law via email: [email protected].