About the KAEF Program
ORIGINS
Shortly after establishment of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo in 1999, USAID created the Kosovo Business Finance Fund (KBFF) to foster economic development and growth in Kosovo. This fund was used to establish the American Bank of Kosovo, a commercial bank that in the following years built up a loan portfolio and a successful level of deposits. The sale of these assets enabled the creation of the Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF). In open competition, American Councils for International Education was awarded administration of this endowment in April 2004.
PROGRAMS
Currently, the KAEF Fund supports the KAEF Graduate Fellowship Program, the kaef-online.org website, and research by American scholars that pertains to the economic development of Kosovo.
By far the largest of KAEF’s programs is the KAEF Graduate Fellowship Program. The program offers graduate fellowships at American universities to talented Kosovars who demonstrate a strong commitment to the economic development of their country.
KAEF fellowships are open to all eligible applicants, and are awarded through a merit-based competition. Fellows study in master’s level programs for one or two years, obtain a degree, and participate in professional internships. The KAEF fellowship program covers all costs.
Eligible applicants must be citizens of Kosovo, proficient in English, and committed to returning to Kosovo after completion of the program. To learn more about the program and how to apply, click here.
American Councils for International Education
The KAEF Fund is administered by American Councils for International Education, a not-for-profit organization that believes by investing in outstanding individuals and their educational journeys, we can create long-term, equitable, and sustainable development for societies around the world.
American Councils has nearly thirty years of experience in administering graduate-level educational exchanges between U.S. universities and the countries of Eurasia. The organization’s expertise ensures the success of the program in the following ways:
- Impartial Selection. American Councils has unmatched experience in advertising and administering a fair, impartial selection of candidates for graduate-level exchange programs. Our selection efforts ensure that the KAEF Graduate Fellowship Program is a fair and transparent competition.
- Cost-Efficient Program Administration. Through our relationships with over 400 U.S. universities, American Councils generates tuition cost share from university partners exceeding 50 percent of total tuition costs. This affords us the ability to extend KAEF’s financial resources even further.
- Targeted Placements. Because of our extensive experience in working with U.S. institutions of higher education and students from abroad, we have an excellent understanding of universities’ strengths and weaknesses, and we place students in programs that match their goals.
The Future of KAEF
The Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) is supported largely through the charitable support of individuals. It needs your help in order to continue to grow.
KAEF supports the economic development of Kosovo by:
- Providing business leaders with the management skills to make Kosovar businesses competitive in the global market
- Establishing highly trained international business experts
to attract foreign investment - Training Fellows to advance the rule of law and other measures to improve the business climate
- Forging a bond between the business communities of Kosovo and the United States
An investment in KAEF will lead to long-term economic growth and better jobs. Make an investment in Kosovo by making an investment in KAEF. For information about how you can support the fund that supports Kosovo, click here.
RESEARCH SCHOLARS
While a wide-range of topics receive support each year, all funded research must contribute to a body of knowledge enabling the U.S. to better understand the business sector in Kosovo and formulate more effective policies within it. All applicants petitioning for KAEF Research Grant support will be asked to clearly address in writing the policy-relevance of their work, be it in business, economics, finance, or some other field related to economic development.