List of Research and Educational Programs and Funds

Erasmus+ is a European Union program aimed at strengthening international cooperation in education, research, youth, and sports. The primary objective of the program is to encourage higher education institutions to collaborate in developing and implementing joint educational and research projects.

The program provides financial support for short-term academic mobility of students and staff, as well as for institutional projects focused on modernization of curricula and development of university infrastructure.

To enhance the quality of higher education and align it with labor market requirements, Erasmus+ promotes cooperation between universities and employers, strengthens links with the business sector, and improves graduate employability.

Erasmus+ includes various funding actions such as:

• academic mobility programs for students and staff;
• Erasmus Mundus joint master’s programs;
• capacity-building and institutional development projects;
• youth and sports initiatives;
• Jean Monnet projects dedicated to European Union studies.

Participation is open not only to EU Member States but also to partner countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic.

More detailed information is available on the official website of the
National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan
https://erasmusplus.kg

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the world’s largest organization supporting international academic mobility. It provides funding opportunities for international students and researchers to study or conduct research in Germany, while also supporting German students in pursuing academic activities abroad.

DAAD offers a wide range of scholarship programs, with the majority of grants aimed at master’s students, doctoral candidates, and researchers. Founded in 1925, the organization has funded more than 2.1 million individuals worldwide.

DAAD is a self-governing organization representing over 250 German higher education institutions and more than 100 student organizations. Its funding is provided by the German Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as the European Union.

In addition to scholarships, DAAD actively supports bilateral exchange programs and promotes international university partnerships.

Interest among students, master’s students, doctoral candidates, and academic staff in studying and conducting research in Germany remains consistently high. German universities are also interested in strengthening cooperation, and several inter-university partnerships are currently implemented in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Since 2004, the DAAD Information Center has been operating in Kyrgyzstan, providing free консультации regarding study opportunities, internships, and research activities in Germany.

Official website of the DAAD Information Center in Kyrgyzstan:
https://www.daad-kyrgyzstan.org/

U.S. Government Exchange Programs

Educational and cultural exchange programs supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State provide academic and professional mobility opportunities for students, faculty members, professionals, researchers, and emerging leaders both in the United States and in the Kyrgyz Republic.

All programs are fully funded by the U.S. Department of State through individual grants.

Key Programs:

Fulbright Scholar Program
Designed for scholars holding academic degrees. It enables U.S. scholars to lecture in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyz specialists to conduct research in the United States.

Fulbright Student Program
Provides graduates and young professionals with opportunities to pursue graduate studies or research projects in the United States.

Fulbright FLTA (Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program)
Open to English language teachers and senior students specializing in English studies. Participants assist in teaching their native language at U.S. universities.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Offers experienced professionals the opportunity to spend one academic year in the United States for professional development (non-degree program) and practical training in their field.

FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange Program)
A high school exchange program designed to develop leadership skills and intercultural understanding.

Global UGRAD Program
Provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to study in U.S. institutions for one semester or a full academic year.

OneBeat℠ Program
An international exchange initiative for young musicians aged 19–35 aimed at promoting cultural collaboration and professional networking.

More detailed information is available on the official website of the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic:
https://kg.usembassy.gov/education-culture/exchange-programs

JICA – Japan International Cooperation Agency

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), established in 1974, is one of the key implementing agencies of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). It supports socio-economic development and human resource capacity building with the aim of promoting sustainable and self-reliant development in developing countries.

Until October 2008, JICA primarily focused on technical cooperation. This included dispatching highly qualified Japanese experts to developing countries and providing the necessary equipment to ensure effective technology transfer.

JICA also sends expert missions to conduct studies, design development strategies, and prepare national development plans. For least developed countries, JICA supports basic research and implements grant projects such as the construction of schools, hospitals, and other social infrastructure facilities.

Through the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) program, JICA dispatches volunteers and senior volunteers to developing countries. In cases of natural disasters, JICA provides emergency humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support.

Engineers, highly qualified professionals, and public officials from developing countries are invited to Japan to participate in JICA training programs across various fields.

In October 2008, JICA was reorganized into a new agency integrating technical cooperation, grant aid, and yen loan assistance. Following this reform, JICA became one of the largest donor organizations globally and the second largest after the World Bank.

JICA’s activities cover sectors such as:

• agriculture;
• social infrastructure development;
• poverty reduction;
• healthcare;
• human resource development;
• institutional strengthening and sustainable governance.

More detailed information is available at:
http://www.donors.kg/ru/agentstva/92-jica