In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, MIT has launched a comprehensive MIT-Ukraine Program to serve as a hub for MIT’s innovative technological and humanitarian responses. Through it, MIT mobilizes students, faculty and staff to participate in global efforts to preserve and rebuild Ukraine.  

One of the key ways in which MIT activates its talent in support of Ukraine is through MISTI internships. These internships are aimed at completing hands-on projects for the Ukrainian government, NGOs and business enterprises, or for organizations that are located outside of Ukraine but are focused on Ukraine’s development, refugee support and reconstruction. While MIT students are currently not allowed to travel to Ukraine for safety reasons, MIT-Ukraine internships take place either remotely or in other European countries. Over the last two summers, 2023-2024, MIT-Ukraine interns traveled to Finland, Lithuania, Serbia, Poland, Switzerland and Spain; interns also completed several meaningful remote internships. There will be multiple new opportunities available in summer 2025, both virtually and abroad.

Please see more detailed information below, or email MIT-Ukraine Program Manager, svitkras [at] mit.edu (Svitlana Krasynska), if you have any questions or want to share ideas. 

Internship Opportunities

Overview

MIT-Ukraine matches MIT students with internships and research opportunities at governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, business firms, and universities in Ukraine, as well as at organizations working on Ukraine-focused projects outside of Ukraine. Internships last around 4 weeks over IAP and 8-12 weeks during the summer.  MIT-Ukraine covers the cost of travel and living expenses for internships that require international travel, and provides an hourly stipend for remote internships.

Past Internships

MIT-Ukraine organizes internships during the summer break and over IAP for students across a range of disciplines to support critical needs in Ukraine.  Here is a sampling of internships completed through MIT-Ukraine over the past two years since the program's inception:

  • Aid logistics: Three students, including seasoned US veterans and reservists, worked with the Kyiv Engineering Corps (Warsaw, Poland), on optimizing aid distribution logistics to the Ukrainian front-line zones. The project aimed to make delivery of critical supplies more efficient and timely, thus saving more lives and alleviating suffering.
  • Refugee support: One student worked on a research project (Belgrade, Serbia), that aimed to identify issues faced by Ukrainian refugees in Europe; Europe is currently sheltering millions of Ukrainian refugees. Two students developed and taught interactive STEM curriculum for children at refugee centers in Europe (Helsinki, Finland; Vilnius, Lithuania).
  • Economic development: One student worked remotely at the Kyiv School of Economics on a project aiming to identify success strategies employed by prominent Ukrainian businesses in the context of war and create an online support program for Ukrainian businesses. Another student worked with MIT faculty and other Ukrainian and international experts on developing funding strategies for Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery.
  • Housing for internally displaced: Five DUSP and Architecture students worked over IAP and summers (Zurich, Switzerland; Rotterdam and the Hague, the Netherlands; and remotely) with different community-based organizations in Ukraine that design and build housing for families who have lost their homes due to Russian shelling. One of these organizations works to repurpose abandoned or damaged building for new housing, and another - on building a brand new housing community to house 25,000 residents.
  • Scientific diaspora: Six students have worked remotely over the span of one semester on creating an online platform for displaced Ukrainian scientists; the platform aims at creating a research community and a network of support for the Ukrainian scholars around the world. One student worked over the summer to complete and help launch the site.
  • Leadership development: Six different students worked on implementing the Ukraine Leadership and Technology Academy (ULTA), through which they taught and mentored 20 rigorously-selected Ukrainian high school students.  Interns traveled to Barcelona, Spain, in 2023 and Warsaw, Poland, in 2024, as well as mentored students remotely over AY 2023-2024 to complete the educational program.
  • Strategic industries: One student worked with Ukraine's Ministry of Strategic Industries (Warsaw, Poland) towards improvement of operational efficiency of state-owned enterprises in strategic industries, and developed collaboration projects between Ukraine's government and private companies.

2024 Opportunities

  • Various research and feasibility study projects for Co-Haty, organization repurposing used and imperfect materials sourced from European countries to refurbish abandoned dorms for IDP housing - summer internship, remote or a European location (TBD)
  • Various research projects in urban planning, architecture, organizational development for Building from the Heart, an organization designing a brand-new 25,000-unit housing community the internally displaced persons - spring UROP/summer internship in Rotterdam or the Hague, the Netherlands
  • U.S. State Department’s Diplomacy Lab: summer MISTI internship/spring UROP or special course participating in a cross-departmental collaboration to create a reconstruction plan for a Ukrainian city significantly damaged by the war
  • Mentoring Ukrainian students throughout 2024-2025 academic year in taking online courses at MIT at Ukraine Leadership and Technology Academy (ULTA) - plus summer internship implementing an in-person summer camp for Ukrainian teens in Barcelona, Spain
  • Summer camp STEM education enrichment for refugee children at the Ukrainian Center - summer internship in Vilnius, Lithuania
  • Summer camp STEM education for refugee children at the Ukrainian Center - summer internship in Helsinki, Finland
  • Economic development projects for the Kyiv School of Economics (graduate or advanced undergraduate) - summer internship - virtual or TBD European location
  • Organizational development projects, including network expansion, database development, grant-writing, strategic planning for MIT-Ukraine Support Office - summer internship in Warsaw, Poland (advanced undergraduate and graduate)
  • AI and disinformation research, combatting propaganda - spring UROP/summer internship in Trondheim, Norway
  • Land demining technology research for the reconstruction of Ukrainian agriculture at SINTEF (major Norwegian applied research organization) - spring UROP/summer internship in Trondheim, Norway
  • Aerial drone detection research - summer internship, remote/Washington, DC
  • Communications focused maritime drone research for Kyiv Engineering Corps - summer internship, remote/Taiwan
  • "Prosthetic Care" feasibility investigation with Media Lab - remote (possibly in Warsaw, Poland, TBD)

Various technology projects for a major Ukrainian software development company, MacPaw - summer internship in Warsaw, Poland

European security and peace-building research projects for a Finnish security think tank, SaferGlobe - summer internship in Helsinki, Finland

Please contact MISTI Ukraine Program Manager Svitlana Krasynska for more information.

If you are taking a class in the fall or spring with an applied project component that you think might benefit a Ukrainian cause, please contact us to discuss!

How to Apply

Applications for Summer 2025 can be found on the MISTI Portal. First, begin by filling out your Launchpad Application and meeting with the Program Coordinator by December 1. 

How to Apply

  • GPA 4.0 or higher
  • Interest in Ukraine

Language

  • There is no language requirement

Courses

  • None required. Please see below for recommended courses

Program expenses, including airfare, visa, accommodation, and a stipend, are covered.

  1. Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – by December 1 (early deadline for summer) or February 20 (late deadline for summer)
  2. Interview with Country Program Manager – rolling (as soon as student completes MISTI Launchpad Application and contacts MIT-Ukraine Program Manager)
  3. Commit to MIT-Ukraine Program – rolling (within two weeks after student receives placement offer from MIT-Ukraine)
  4. Internship matching process – rolling (after interview with MIT-Ukraine Program Manager)
  5. Mandatory Pre-Departure Sessions – March to May

How to Apply

We work closely with students to find a tailored project that matches their skills and interests. Participating students are required to attend one or two training sessions before traveling to the country.

21G.S08 Introduction to Ukrainian Language and Culture

Offered: IAP 2025 (9 units HASS-A)​

Introduces students to the foundations of Ukrainian language and essential communication skills.  Surveys topics in Urkainian history, national identity, and diverse Ukrainian culture and art through looking at major figures in literature, music, cinematography, and visual arts.  Explores the role of Ukrainian art in the world, underlining its connections and influences.  Gives students the opportunity to learn, discover, create, and have fun ... including to have a taste of Ukrainian cuisine!

Meet Your Program Manager

Contact
Svitlana Krasynska

Get in touch with Svitlana Krasynska, Program Director for MIT-Ukraine, to get your questions answered.