About KIU

The KIU Competence Network is a four-year DAAD-funded project to strengthen Ukraine-related research, teaching, networking and transfer activities.  The Competence Network is initiated and managed by the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), and includes the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), the Humboldt University of Berlin, the Free University of Berlin, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin, as well as partner institutions from Ukraine and other European countries.

The aim of the KIU project is to establish a vibrant platform and centre for Ukraine related research, teaching and knowledge exchange, located at European University Viadrina, in order to make sense of the realities and consequences of Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine, promote new understandings of Ukraine and ultimately boost German-Ukrainian relations. Central to this is the close scientific collaboration between the core partner institutions in the Berlin- Brandenburg region, as well as cross border international engagement within a wider network of Ukrainian related actors and activities, ranging from the international scientific community, political organisations, civil society, business, media and culture.

KIU realises its aims through three fields.

KIU’s activities unfold from changing semester topics which form the thematic umbrella of research, teaching, and transfer activities in each semester.   Each semester at KIU is framed by an overarching interdisciplinary semester theme, that guides teaching and research.

Research 

KIU offers two fellowship programmes with different semester-based thematic focuses, aimed at fostering international scientific exchange and excellent research. In addition, a structured PhD programme launched in June 2025 provides twelve international doctoral researchers with the opportunity to pursue innovative, Ukraine-focused research. In 2025, KIU launched a book series on Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies with the NOMOS Publishing House.

Teaching  

The second KIU field focuses on teaching. It includes the Ukraine Lecture Series, which is organised around the respective semester theme. Moreover, KIU offers a Ukrainian Studies Certificate Programme for MA students. Closely linked to this programme is a Ukraine Studies course catalogue that brings together relevant courses across all three KIU member universities. Organised into three modules, the programme is open to students from all disciplines. It enables them to deepen their knowledge of Ukraine, further develop Ukrainian language skills, and apply their expertise through a Ukraine-related internship. We also strive to strengthen Ukraine-related teaching activities through our guest lectureship programme, which invites scholars from Ukrainian universities to join our Ukraine teaching programme at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt Oder for a semester. 

Knowledge transfer

We regard it as a key responsibility to promote public discourse, interest and knowledge about Ukraine. By doing this we aim to strengthen empathy and understanding for the country, which will be crucial for ensuring its successful reconstruction and European integration, and thus contribute to a united, peaceful Europe.

KIU publishes Policy Briefs and the interview series KIUrious to contextualise current developments from a research perspective. The format Zur Sache (To The Point) brings together two distinct perspectives on a selected issue. KIU researchers also contribute on a regular basis to the ZOiS Spotlight series. We also regularly organise events such as the KIU Lecture Series and the KIU Briefing on Ukraine, in cooperation with our partners in Berlin and the European University Viadrina. In addition, each September, KIU organises its annual Summer School, inviting students from around the world to Frankfurt (Oder) for two weeks to attend Ukraine-related courses and language training.

Together with our network and in particular, with our Ukrainian partners, we seek to build a vibrant space for discussing, investigating and learning about Ukraine, its entanglements and European and Global interrelations. Through this, KIU positions itself as a key interdisciplinary hub for Ukrainian Studies in Germany, with the European University Viadrina providing a central institutional anchor within the network.