News & Stories Archives - Page 3 of 12 - Kazickas Family Foundation

Call for Applications: Paid Internships at Lithuanian Diplomatic Missions in New York

For the first time, the Kazickas Family Foundation invites applications for scholarships to support internships at the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York and the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the United Nations.

The program aims to support talented people who wish to deepen their knowledge in international politics, global problem-solving, and diplomacy, while gaining valuable practical experience at Lithuanian representations abroad and assisting diplomatic missions ahead of Lithuania’s EU Council Presidency in 2027.

Main Requirements for Candidates

Internships are open to citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and citizens of EU and NATO member states who speak Lithuanian;
Candidates must have completed at least 2 university-level courses or graduated from higher education no more than 2 years before the start of the internship;
For internships at the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the UN, preference will be given to PhD candidates working on dissertations in global politics, sustainable development, climate change, and human rights;
Excellent knowledge of Lithuanian (C1) and English (C1) languages;
Strong computer skills (MS Office suite).

Internship Duration and Scholarship

Duration: 4 months (September–December 2026);
Scholarship amount: 10,000 USD. Two scholarships will be awarded.

Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026.

For more information on application procedures and required documents in Lithuanian, please click here.

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KFF STEM Scholarship Program: Call for Applications

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

KFF STEM Scholarship Program: Call for Applications

The Kazickas Family Foundation is announcing the call for applications for the STEM Scholarship Program.

Successful applicants will receive a grant up to 10,000 euros to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs during their studies. The total scholarship fund in this program amounts to 50,000 euros.

The program’s goals are to:

support talented Lithuanian citizens who have been already accepted into accredited undergraduate or graduate programs in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) abroad;
empower them to contribute to the advancement of their homeland upon completion of their studies.

Required Documents

Application Form: download here.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment: Documentation confirming that the applicant has been accepted or is enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in STEM subjects abroad.
Academic transcripts: Official transcripts from all previous educational institutions attended, demonstrating the applicant’s academic achievements and qualifications.
Curriculum Vitae.
2 recommendation letters (1 academic, 1 personal).
If applicable, any documents confirming other sources of financial support secured.
If applicable, any documents detailing honors, awards or other extraordinary accomplishments.

Submission Instructions

Please submit your completed application form in English, along with the required supporting documents (listed above), to ltoffice@kff.lt. The deadline for submissions is May 30th, 2026.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact ltoffice@kff.lt. Thank you for your interest in our scholarship program. We look forward to reviewing your application.

2025 STEM Scholarship Recipients’ Feedback

“My first laboratory experience, and meeting students who were already studying, quickly lured me into choosing molecular biology. This scholarship is the reason I was able to pursue the career path I wanted – and for a young and ambitious woman, that means everything. Four years of work during my bachelor’s gave me everything I needed, both good grades and plenty of laboratory experience, so I became one of the seven international students in a class of fifty.”

Miglė Šarpilo, KFF STEM Scholarship Recipient 2025, Master’s in Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

“I have been passionate about chemistry since I was 15 years old, when my teacher gave me the idea to participate in the national olympiad. From then on, I understood how fascinating this science is and how it can be used to understand the world around us. I believe that the reason I was able to stand out from the other candidates and be selected to this prestigious institution was the 4 years I spent participating in olympiads, going to laboratories and deepening my knowledge.”

Pijus Tamošiūnas, KFF STEM Scholarship Recipient 2025, Master’s in Chemistry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

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Call for Applications: The Drs. Vaclovas and Stefanija Čepukėnas Scholarship

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

Call for Applications: The Drs. Vaclovas and Stefanija Čepukėnas Scholarship

The Drs. Vaclovas and Stefanija Čepukėnas Scholarship for Vytautas Magnus University students is now open for applications.

The aim of the scholarship is to promote the French language and Francophone culture by enabling the most active students to deepen their learning and study it further, as well as to promote and spread it in society.

The scholarship was established at Vytautas Magnus University on the initiative of Neila Baumilienė, an alumna of the university and Executive Director of the New York Office of the Kazickas Family Foundation, with its support. It honors the memory of Dr. Vaclovas and Dr. Stefanija Čepukėnas, whose daughters, Rasa and Milda, also contribute financially.

If you are passionate about the French language and culture, active in civic, social, community or artistic activities, we encourage you to seize this opportunity!

The Scholarship amount is €4,000, applications are accepted until March 31, 2026.

Learn more about the eligibility criteria and apply now here.

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Lithuanian diaspora Lithuanian heritage schools

Strengthening the Diaspora Remains a Priority: $2.1 Million for Lithuanian Heritage Schools Over 15 Years

Diaspora Engagement, News & Stories

Strengthening the Diaspora Remains a Priority: $2.1 Million for Lithuanian Heritage Schools Over 15 Years

Supporting heritage education in the diaspora is one of the Kazickas Family Foundation’s key priorities.

KFF has consistently provided funding to heritage schools in the United States, helping families abroad maintain language, culture, and ties to their homeland. Over the past 15 years, the Alexandra Kazickas Grant Program has allocated more than $2.1 million to heritage schools in the U.S. In 2025–2026 alone, 24 schools received $90,000 to ensure the continuity of their programs. Funding covers expenses such as facility rentals, teachers’ salaries.

Support is highly valued in community schools across the diaspora as a key factor for preserving and strengthening cultural identity. The administration of the Boston Lithuanian School also highlights the importance of KFF’s contribution:

“Your support is not only a financial contribution but also a strong investment in academic excellence, knowledge development, and the strengthening of Lithuanian identity within the diaspora. Thank you for helping us achieve our shared goal – educating a conscious, well-educated younger generation that values its roots. We are deeply grateful for your continued trust and support. Every contribution you make is highly valued and greatly appreciated by all of us.”

KFF also collaborates with the Lithuanian Educational Council of USA and the Coalition for Community-Based Heritage Language Schools, while actively representing communities in the U.S. on the Lithuanian Diaspora Affairs Coordination Commission, which brings together 10 organizations and about 20 Lithuanian institutions to discuss issues related to national security, culture, language, and innovation through dialogue, actionable recommendations, and policy development.

Through consistent support of heritage schools and dialogue with institutions in Lithuania, KFF contributes to the long-term goal of ensuring that language, culture, and identity remain vibrant within diaspora communities and are passed on to future generations.

Strengthening the Diaspora Remains a Priority: $2.1 Million for Lithuanian Heritage Schools Over 15 Years Read More »

Dr. J. P. Kazickas Student Programming Competition – 30 Years of Collaboration with Kaunas University of Technology

News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

Dr. J. P. Kazickas Student Programming Competition – 30 Years of Collaboration with Kaunas University of Technology

On February 28, the Dr. Joseph Peter Kazickas Student Programming Competition for students in grades 6–12 took place at the Faculty of Informatics at Kaunas University of Technology.

Representatives of the Kazickas Family Foundation attended the event to support the participants, while the Foundation’s Executive Director in Lithuania, Domantė Howes, welcomed the students and presented awards to the competition winners and their teachers. Each year, the initiative is supported by the business community. This year, prizes for the winners were funded by Festo, Hostinger, Helmes, Coherent Solutions, KAYAK Lithuania, Accenture Lithuania, and Singletonas. For the first time, monetary prizes for the first-place winners of the regional rounds were also established by the philanthropic Devbridge Foundation.

Since 1997, the Faculty of Informatics at Kaunas University of Technology has organized the Dr. Joseph Peter Kazickas Student Programming Competition for students in grades 6 – 12. Each year, the event takes place in two stages: the first is organized remotely in regional school computer classrooms, while the second stage – a programming forum and in-person gathering – is held at KTU, where students solve tasks in the university’s computer labs.

Over the past three decades, this initiative has grown into a national event contributing to the development of young people’s technological skills across Lithuania, especially in more remote regions and smaller towns. Initially held only in Kaunas, the competition is now also organized in Vilnius and the regions of Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Žemaitija. The initiative continues the vision of J. P. Kazickas to create equal opportunities for talented students from every corner of Lithuania.

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Call for applications for the Literacy Award in Memory of Petras Butenas and Alexandra Kazickas

News & Stories

Call for Applications for the Literacy Award in Memory of Petras Butenas and Alexandra Kazickas

Call for applications of the qualifying individuals for the Literacy Award in Memory of the linguist P. Butenas and his student A. Kazickas.

The award is presented for extraordinary work and accomplishments in the Lithuanian language field. It was established by the Kazickas Family Foundation and Lithuanian Language Society in memory of a linguist, anthropologist, interpreter, and teacher Petras Butenas and his student and Lithuanian language and culture patron Alexandra Kalvenas-Kazickas in 2018.

To participate, please submit all required documents to lkdraugija@gmail.com until May 1, 2026.

More information in Lithuanian: https://www.flf.vu.lt/bendros-naujienos/kazicku-seimos-fondo-petro-buteno-premija

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MO Museum and Kazickas Family Foundation

Art & Culture, News & Stories, Youth Empowerment and Education

MO Museum and the Kazickas Family Foundation

Since 2020, the Kazickas Family Foundation has been proud to partner with MO museum in Vilnius to support educational programs for socially underprivileged children and youth from remote areas of Lithuania.

With KFF’s support, children and young people aged 5–18 are gaining meaningful access to culture and education.

In 2025 alone, the initiative reached nearly 1,200 participants — including youth from rural regions, Ukrainian refugees, members of the Lithuanian Roma community, young people with special needs.

Together, we delivered 29 regional educational sessions, 24 programs at MO Museum in Vilnius, and gifted almost 240 KFF-branded museum tickets for independent visits.

This initiative reflects our shared commitment to social inclusion, education, and youth empowerment through culture. We deeply appreciate MO Museum’s dedication to its donors and partners – from their annual donor event, where impact and achievements are thoughtfully shared, to their many innovative initiatives that strengthen community connections.

Strong partnerships create meaningful impact. We are grateful for MO Museum’s warm, multi-level collaboration and their continued commitment to making culture more accessible and inclusive for all.

MO Museum and Kazickas Family Foundation Read More »

Kazickas Family Foundation Annual Report 2025

News & Stories

Kazickas Family Foundation Annual Report 2025

KFF 2025 Annual Activity Report brings together last year’s results, key milestones, and plans for the future.

In 2025, the foundation continued to strengthen its role as a philanthropic leader, fostering civic-mindedness and social engagement in Lithuania and beyond. KFF focused on community building, deeper support for grantees, increased visibility, and the expansion of international partnerships.

Throughout the year, KFF invested $906,000 in philanthropic initiatives, supporting 114 organizations and projects: 60 in the United States, 51 in Lithuania, and one each in Zimbabwe and France. Funding included $830,254 for long-standing partners and $75,746 for new grantees, alongside expanded capacity-building, skills development, and advisory support.

KFF also reinforced its leadership in philanthropy through public engagement and recognition. The Foundation received the AmCham Lithuania Oscar for visionary philanthropy and strengthening Lithuania–US ties. KFF leaders shared insights on strategic, family-led philanthropy through discussions with partners, participation in podcasts, and events hosted with Sorainen. In addition, the Executive Director of KFF in NYC Neila Baumilienė was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania for her leadership and service.

These activities reflect KFF’s continued commitment to inspiring civic engagement, strengthening communities, and advancing strategic philanthropy across borders.

Read more about our impact, key milestones, and future plans in the KFF 2025 Annual Report: https://kazickasfamilyfoundation.lt/kff-documents/

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Start your career in Lithuania with “NEXUS by Bring Together Lithuania

News & Stories

Start your career in Lithuania with "NEXUS powered by Bring Together Lithuania"

Lithuanian diaspora young professionals from around the world are invited to register for Bring Together Lithuania 2026 – the early-career and modern Lithuania discovery program “NEXUS.”

Initiated and sponsored by the Kazickas Family Foundation, and supported by the Lithuanian Foundation, the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this program for the first time invites Lithuanian diaspora professionals to begin their careers in Lithuania and experience contemporary Lithuania firsthand. “Nexus. Powered by Bring Together Lithuania” is designed for young diaspora professionals, offering the opportunity to live and work in Lithuania for one year, develop professional competencies, build meaningful connections, and become an active part of the country’s economic and civic life.

“NEXUS” is a bridge between the world and Lithuania, connecting talent, ideas, and future opportunities. The program is intended for young, highly educated diaspora professionals seeking to establish themselves in the Lithuanian labor market. Beyond helping participants find meaningful, skills-aligned employment, NEXUS provides comprehensive integration support-from administrative matters to cultural adaptation. It is a community that empowers young people to help build Lithuania while building their own lives in Lithuania.

One of the program’s greatest strengths is its focused and strategic work with a clearly defined target group-young people from the Lithuanian diaspora. The Bring Together Lithuania team is among the few organizations in Lithuania that consistently and intensively work with Lithuanian youth living abroad, helping them discover professional opportunities in Lithuania, successfully enter the job market, and become active members of society. Most importantly, participants receive holistic integration support from day one.

“NEXUS” is more than a job or the start of a career. It is a conscious, long-term effort to build a bridge between today’s Lithuania and a global future.

Would you like to become part of a community of leaders in Lithuania and begin your career journey in the country of your heritage?

Apply to the “NEXUS” program by March 31. The program begins on September 1, offering you the opportunity to start building your career in Lithuania.

Program dates: September 1, 2026 – September 1, 2027
Application deadline: March 31, 2026 www.bringtogether.lt

For more information, please contact Bring Together Lithuania team via email labas@bringtogether.lt

Start your career in Lithuania with “NEXUS by Bring Together Lithuania Read More »

Kazickas Family’s Visit to Lithuania: Strengthening Partnerships and Understanding Social Needs

News & Stories

Kazickas Family’s Visit to Lithuania: Strengthening Partnerships and Understanding Social Needs

In January, members of the Kazickas family – Jurate, John, Lucy, Peter and Aluna visited Lithuania to meet with partners, institutions, and communities connected to the Foundation’s grantee work and programs.

The purpose of these visits is to engage directly with organizations and institutions operating in Foundation’s priority areas – gain insight into their needs and challenges, as well as acknowledge achievements together with the communities involved.

Meetings were held with Donatas Nagumanovas from Caritas Alternative Youth Center Caritas Alternative Youth Center, psychologists working in the fields of eating disorder treatment and suicide prevention, and representatives of the Lithuanian Red Cross to discuss civil preparedness. Time was also dedicated to education-focused partners, including Kaunas University of Technology and socio-emotional learning program Think Equal. Meetings also took place with socially responsible business leaders to discuss the evolving role of philanthropy in Lithuanian society. The Lithuanian Ambassador to Ukraine Inga Tolockiene paid a visit to share updates on the current situation in Ukraine.

The family participated in several events to network and share insights at panel discussions on family values, philanthropy and the role of AI in children’s education, including the ASSIST program reception, the Philanthropic Foundations Breakfast, the Youth Can annual reception, and the Uncommon LT 5-year anniversary.

These visits reaffirm the importance of direct engagement in understanding social realities. They provide context for future decisions, strengthen partnerships, and help ensure that the Foundation’s support remains responsive to evolving Lithuania’s needs. KFF appreciates all organizations and individuals who shared their work and perspectives openly.

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