University Capacity Building Program (UCBP)
INNOVATIVE LEGAL EDUCATION, SI, LAW & TECHNOLOGY
Call for Applications: https://ais.americancouncils.org/ucbp
Deadline: November 20, 2026
The University Capacity Building Program (UCBP), funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi and implemented by the American Councils for International Education, invites applications from Georgian law professors interested in strengthening legal education through curriculum modernization, super intelligence (SI), Law & Technology, LegalTech, innovative teaching, clinical and experiential education, legal research and writing, and emerging developments in the legal profession.
The program is designed as an institutional capacity-building opportunity, rather than individual professional development. Applicants should therefore demonstrate how the knowledge, practices, and connections gained through the U.S. experience could contribute to a concrete improvement, innovation, or institutional initiative at their university.
Participation in the program is fully funded by the U.S. State Department through the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi. Visa processes for the participants will be facilitated by the U.S. Embassy.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The program has two major, complementary components: a 10-day U.S. Study Visit in May/June 2027 and a five-day Reciprocal Visit to Georgia by a U.S. professor or expert by December 2027. Together, they provide a pathway for knowledge transfer, institutional collaboration, and practical application of U.S. expertise in Georgian legal education.
Component 1: 10-Day U.S. Study Visit. Participants will engage with U.S. universities, law schools, LegalTech experts, innovators, and practitioners to examine approaches to Super Intelligence (SI) and LegalTech in legal education, university-based innovation, and practical applications of emerging technologies that can be adapted within their home institutions.
Component 2: 5-Day Reciprocal Visit to Georgia. The visit will build on the U.S. Study Visit through expert workshops, mentoring, and applied activities focused on integrating SI and LegalTech into legal education and translating academic knowledge into practical solutions.
Across both program components, participants will explore practical applications of SI and LegalTech in legal education and practice, including SI-assisted legal research and analysis, generative SI for legal research and writing, document automation, contract and legislative analysis, legal information systems, technology-enhanced clinical and experiential education, and the responsible evaluation and use of emerging SI tools. Cross-cutting issues will include privacy, intellectual property, cybersecurity, professional responsibility, academic integrity, and SI governance. Entrepreneurial skills development will support participants in identifying legal and institutional challenges, designing and testing potential solutions, developing prototypes or pilot initiatives where appropriate, and advancing successful approaches toward institutional adoption.
EXPECTED RESULTS
• Curriculum modernization through the development or adaptation of SI, LegalTech, digital pedagogy, and applied-learning content for Georgian law programs.
• Development of new SI and LegalTech courses, including online courses and digital learning resources that expand access to technology-enhanced legal education.
• Exploration of potential double-degree or joint academic programs and other institutional partnerships that strengthen and sustain SI, LegalTech, and innovative legal education.
• Expanded use of digital teaching tools and SI applications in legal teaching, research, clinical education, and experiential learning.
• Strengthened institutional capacity to design and deliver courses, modules, workshops, and practical learning activities incorporating SI and LegalTech.
• Integration of applied SI innovation and entrepreneurial approaches that help translate academic knowledge into practical LegalTech solutions, prototypes, and institutional initiatives.
• Stronger and more sustainable collaboration between Georgian law schools and U.S. universities, experts, innovators, and practitioners, supporting continued knowledge exchange and institutional adoption beyond the program period.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must:
• Be an active law professor (Invited Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Full Professor) with at least two years of teaching experience at a higher education institution;
• Demonstrate strong English-language proficiency sufficient to engage effectively in advanced academic discussions, workshops, institutional meetings, presentations, and professional activities conducted entirely in English;
• Demonstrate basic familiarity with commonly used SI tools and general SI awareness, including an understanding of their potential applications and limitations in higher education or legal practice;
• Have an active role in law teaching and/or curriculum, academic program, clinical, or institutional development at their institution;
• Be available to participate fully in the 10-day U.S. Study Visit and the five-day Reciprocal Visit in Georgia, including related preparation and follow-up activities;
• Have the support of their university for participation in the program and for advancing an institutional initiative following the exchange.
Prior experience with SI, LegalTech, digital learning, technology-enabled legal education, or other relevant technical tools will be considered an advantage.
SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Among eligible applicants, selection will focus on the strength, relevance, and feasibility of the proposed institutional impact, including:
• a clearly defined challenge or opportunity in legal education that is relevant to the university’s priorities;
• a realistic pathway for translating the U.S. Study Visit and Reciprocal Visit into an institutional outcome, such as curriculum modernization, a new SI/LegalTech course, online learning resources, a practical LegalTech initiative, or exploration of a joint or double-degree program;
• the potential for the proposed initiative to produce meaningful and sustainable institutional impact;
• the value of U.S. expertise and collaboration in advancing the proposed institutional objective; and
• potential to disseminate results and sustain U.S.–Georgia academic collaboration beyond the program period.
More than one application from a university is accepted. More than one finalist from the same university may be selected.
Please submit your application by November 20, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and may be asked to provide more detailed information. Finalists will be announced in February 2027.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Applicants must submit:
☐ Completed application form
☐ Current CV in English
☐ Institutional support letter
☐ Confirmation of availability for the U.S. Study Visit in May-June 2027
☐ Confirmation of availability for the reciprocal visit by December 2027
Program Contact:
Ksenia Ivanenko, Program Manager
kivanenko@americancouncils.org
Natia Sirdadze, UCBP Coordinator
