Florida State Joins Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies Founded by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska
Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida State University (FSU) has signed a memorandum of understanding to join the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies (GCUS). The GCUS was launched by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska in 2024. The inclusion in the Coalition will allow FSU to work on grant-funded research with 100 universities worldwide.
As a member of the GCUS, FSU will collaborate with other highly ranked universities around the world, receive grant support and guidance on funding opportunities, have access to basic and extended resources, participate in international conferences, and take advantage of other benefits.
“We thank (the GCUS) for inviting Florida State University to be a member of the coalition,” said Steve McDowell, assistant provost for international initiatives at Florida State University. “We are already conducting many Ukrainian-related projects and this project and collaboration will only strengthen our joint efforts. This is an important path for us to address large challenges and to advance research and knowledge creation more effectively by working together.”
The MOU was signed by McDowell on July 7 and delivered to the “Ukraine in the World” conference in Lviv, where it was signed by Olga Budnyk, Adviser – Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on the Fund of the President of Ukraine for the Support of Education, Science and Sports.
“FSU is advancing its strategic plan by joining this global coalition of highly ranked universities,” said Vilma Fuentes, director of FSU’s UTF. “The GCUS will help us increase our international research partnerships, bolster FSU's reputation around the world and give us the strategic partnerships needed to pursue new grant opportunities. We will achieve all of this while continuing to collaborate with Ukrainian researchers, scientists and academics during a very difficult and ongoing war. I have no doubt that Ukrainian partners will continue to teach us much about innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience throughout this process.”
One of the goals of the GCUS is to foster partnerships between Ukrainian and foreign universities, which aligns with the specific goals of FSU’s Ukraine Task Force (UTF). Ukraine has a long and impressive history of producing top scientists and presents FSU with an excellent opportunity to strengthen its fundamental science research in fields related to quantum, nuclear energy, superconductivity and rare earth minerals.
FSU became the 100th member of the coalition, which includes institutions from Sweden, Finland, the Republic of South Africa, the Czech Republic, Austria, Canada, Estonia, Italy, the Republic of Korea and many others.
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ABOUT UTF
Florida State University’s (FSU) Ukraine Task Force (UTF) was established in 2022 as part of the institution’s broader internationalization strategy. Ukraine was deemed as a country of particular interest because it provides members of the university community with an excellent opportunity to research a unique environment not available anywhere else. FSU students and faculty can learn about and research new and evolving emergency management strategies, education under long-term crisis situations, entrepreneurship during times of war, new applications of cutting-edge drone technology, the spread of diseases during wartime, and recovery from war and trauma. Through partnerships with Ukrainian higher education institutions, FSU can also participate in grants and applied research related to urban reconstruction, mental health, military veterans’ reintegration, therapy interventions, workforce development, and the containment of disease. Ukraine has a long and impressive history of producing top scientists and also presents FSU with an excellent opportunity to strengthen its fundamental science research in fnumerous ields including related to quantum, nuclear energy, superconductivity, engineering, health and rare earth minerals.