Program Eligibility

SPARK is open to students in any field of study and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability. SPARK supports participation of students with disabilities and will work with host institutions to provide an accessible living and learning environment.  

To be eligible for SPARK, students must be: 

  • A citizen of the Russian Federation currently residing in Russia

  • Undergraduate students enrolled in a Russian university who have at least one academic year to complete after the summer semester 

  • Born between the ages of August 1, 2005 to April 15, 2009. The age range for students with disabilities is August 1, 2004 to April 15, 2009.

  • Eligible to receive an internationally recognized passport of the Russian Federation 

  • Able to clearly communicate in English 

  • Eligible to receive a U.S. student exchange visa 

  • Committed to returning to Russia immediately after completion of the summer semester following travel arrangements made by the SPARK program  

  • Able to travel to the United States in late May or June 2027 

The following individuals are NOT eligible to participate in SPARK:  

  • U.S. citizens and permanent residents    

  • Students who are completing their undergraduate program in June 2027 or earlier

  • High school students  

  • Students living for more than three months in the U.S. in the past five years 

  • Previous participants of the SPARK program

SPARK Application Process Webinar

2027 Webinar Coming Soon…

Application Process

To apply, students should:  

  • Submit the fully completed online application in English by the deadline, November 20, 2026, 23:59 MSK.

  • Shortlisted candidates will participate in virtual interviews in January 2027 

  • Semifinalists will take an English proficiency test in February 2027 

  • Finalists are selected by March 2027  

Applications should include: 

  • Resume in English, no more than one page.

  • Copy of most recent academic transcript in Russian. Students in their second, third, or fourth year of studies will submit their university transcript from the time of enrollment until the summer 2026 semester. For example, students in the second year of studies will submit their transcript from their first year of study with academic grades from winter 2026 and summer exam 2026 sessions. Students from the third year of study will submit their transcript from the first and second year of studies.

    Students in their first year of study - who do not have a university transcript at the time of application - will submit a copy of their high school diploma/certificate, including the cover page and the grades.

    The program strongly encourages applicants to request a transcript from their home university in advance to submit a complete application on time.

  • Translated copy of most recent academic transcript in English. Applicants can upload an English transcript provided by their home university or a copy of the transcript translated in English by a translation agency. The translation copy does not need to be notarized.

  • Video Essay: A recorded video essay between 1 to 2 minutes (not exceeding 2 minutes total) answering the given prompt: “Your semester in the USA will offer opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom. Describe two areas of knowledge, personal growth, or skills you hope to develop during this program. Why are these important to you, and what specific experiences or activities in the USA will help you achieve this growth?”

    The video should not exceed two minutes in length and must clearly show the applicant speaking for the duration of the video (ie. no voiceovers are permitted). The use of artificial intelligence to generate any video content is strictly prohibited.

  • Essay: A 500-word essay answering the given prompt: “Reflect on a time when you encountered a person, idea, or perspective that challenged the way you understood something. What did you learn from this experience, and how will it shape the way you approach unfamiliar perspectives during your semester in the USA?” The use of artificial intelligence to generate your response to the essay prompt is strictly prohibited.

  • Copy of the information page of an internationally recognized passport. SPARK finalists must have a valid international passport by January 31, 2027, to travel to the U.S. next summer. The international passport must be valid at least until February 28, 2028. 

    Applicants who do not have an international passport may upload their domestic passport. In this case, please plan to apply for a passport at the same time you submit your application for SPARK. SPARK recommends applying for a biometric passport.

    SPARK may withdraw consideration of finalists who do not have a valid international passport by January 31, 2027.

Applications utilizing AI generated content to answer essay prompts will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Please note that all information included in your application is secure and will not be shared with any third-parties.

If you have challenges submitting the application, please consider checking one of these:

  • All required fields are completed, including the required documents and the two essays.

  • Use a different browser, and update to the latest version of the browser, if needed.

  • Match the files types to the accepted format of the fields.

  • If you are trying to upload the documents from a mobile device, please try uploading the documents from a laptop or desktop.

For any additional questions, please visit the FAQ page, or reach out to us at info@sparkinamerica.org.

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Testimonials

"SPARK gave me real experience in international communication. I made new friends from all over the world, visited many famous sights in the US, and learned a lot about American culture." — Fyodor

"SPARK is more than just an exchange program. It was an unforgettable experience that ignited a spark within me and gave me the motivation to pursue my future goals."
— Tatiana