Talents for Ukraine by KSE Foundation supports Ukrainian professionals who create social and national value through science, culture, and education. Among the new winners are a writer shaping perceptions of contemporary Ukraine; a researcher combining fundamental studies with the development of STEM education for youth; and an art manager restoring voice and visibility to Ukrainian art on the international stage.
Artem Chapeye is a writer and the author of 11 books. His The Ukraine (2018) became the first Ukrainian work of fiction published in The New Yorker, was included in the list of the «30 Best Books of 30 Years of Independence» (Yabl), and was recognized as one of the best books of 2018–2019 by the Ukrainian Book Institute. Five of his books were finalists for the BBC «Book of the Year» award. Artem writes about contemporary Ukraine, its history, and the people who shape reality, and he also contributes columns and gives interviews to international media, including CNN, BBC, Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, and Al Jazeera.
«I try not to lose my sense of humor, not to dwell on my own problems, to observe the worldand to feel the people around me,» comments Artem.
Kostiantyn Shportko — Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, senior researcher with over 20 years of experience working in material science. He conducts fundamental and applied research on functional materials for sensorics, optoelectronics, and photonics, participates in international scientific projects, and publishes results in leading scientific journals. In addition to research work, he is engaged in STEM volunteering in Irpin, teaching natural sciences in English to teenagers through experiments and demonstrations, aiming to spark their curiosity for science and foster critical thinking.
«I am motivated by people who have managed to fulfill their potential despite extremely challenging life circumstances,» emphasizes Kostiantyn.
Tetiana Filevska is the Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute, an art manager, curator, and researcher of 20th-century Ukrainian art. She brought Kazimir Malevich back into the Ukrainian context on a scholarly level and uncovered previously unknown archives from his Kyiv period. Tetiana has also prepared books for publication that became international bestsellers and organized conferences and films about his work. Under her leadership, the Ukrainian Institute has implemented hundreds of cultural projects across dozens of countries, demonstrating the significance of Ukrainian culture on the international stage.
«It is important to understand why and for whom you are taking any action, even if it is preparing a boring bureaucratic document or filling out a reporting spreadsheet,» Tetiana notes.
The third stage of the Talents For Ukraine grant program continues in 2026. You can submit your application via the link https://150.foundation.kse.ua/en
More about the Talents For Ukraine winners
