Russia
10 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
CLEA Availability
- Yes
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program to Russia has been temporarily suspended.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides up to ten awards for U.S. citizens to conduct individually designed research in Russia. Participants may be affiliated with institutions of higher education, research or cultural institutions.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants typically begin September 2024.
Orientation
All grantees are required to participate in a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. No exemptions will be granted, including for participation in CLS programs.
All grantees are required to participate in an in-country orientation which is normally scheduled in Moscow in September or October, but may need to be scheduled at a later date (TBD).
Candidate Profile
Candidates at all degree levels will be considered; however, preference is given to those individuals who are already enrolled in graduate programs with research projects on topics primarily focused on Russian regions. Candidates who have recently obtained a bachelor’s degree or who will have obtained a bachelor's degree before the program start date and plan to pursue graduate work in the future will also be considered. Applications are welcome in the humanities, social sciences, pure and applied sciences, and the creative and performing arts. Candidates who will base themselves in the Russian regions (i.e. outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg) are preferred as there are very few grants available for placement in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
The Fulbright Program in Russia has existed for nearly half a century and has established a strong and positive reputation among institutions of higher education, government agencies, and the Russian public in the Program’s pursuit of mutual understanding between United States and Russian citizens and institutions. Today, there are more than 2,300 Russian Program Alumni and over 1,200 U.S. Alumni many of whom remain active supporters of the program and maintain ties with their host institutions and the many friends that they have made while on the program.
General information about Russia can also be found via the links below:
- Federal Agency on Tourism - RF Travel and Tourism
- Ministry of Education website about higher education in Russia for international students -
- U.S. Embassy in Russia - Resources for U.S. Citizens
Eligibility
3 Months
Candidates who were born in the USSR or Russian Federation and then immigrated to the U.S. may still hold Russian citizenship if they have not renounced it. Candidates who are not sure whether they have dual citizenship need to inquire with the Russian Embassy or Consulate in the U.S.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Proficiency in Russian commensurate with the proposed research and sufficient to carry out its objectives is expected by the beginning of the grant. Semi-finalist candidates will be given a 15-minute Zoom interview in Russian in February 2024.
Critical Language Enhancement Award
The Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) is available for study/research grantees for the study of Russian for a minimum of three and a maximum of six months in duration, concurrent with the Fulbright grant.
CLEA language studies can be completed through private tutoring, formal classes or a combination of the two. A minimum of two years of prior Russian study is required.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
Although candidates are encouraged to explore placement possibilities and affiliations and to submit letters of support, a confirmed placement or affiliation is not required before applying to the program. Priority will be given to those applicants proposing study/research in a Russian region, i.e., outside Moscow and St. Petersburg. Grantees must affiliate with a single academic institution for the duration of their Fulbright tenure (the entire grant period must be spent in one location); the Fulbright Program Team determines academic affiliations for all successful candidates, whether with or without prior arrangements.
The Fulbright Program considers it essential to place grantees in a diversity of locations throughout Russia. A very limited number of grantees will be placed in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Affiliations are not possible in the Northern Caucasus region, and applications for projects in that region will not be considered. Before finalizing affiliation plans, applicants can consult with the Fulbright Program Team. Please note that many Russian universities will require that grantees, especially those conducting research, consult with a local academic adviser; affiliation fees are becoming more prevalent.
For potential university affiliations in Russia, you may review the following resources:
Study in Russia - universities participating in the 5-100 Excellence Project;
Znanie.info - Russian universities guide.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Many Russian universities will charge grantees tuition or a mandatory fee in order to host them as a researcher or for the purpose of affiliation. If affiliation requires course enrollment, the courses should be directly related to the grantee's research project. Grantees must consult with the Fulbright Program Office in Russia before they sign a contract and pay affiliation/tuition fees in order to be reimbursed. Grantees who are not imposed a fee by their host university and would like to take courses must do so at their own expense.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Ministry of Education website about higher education in Russia for international students -
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Program participants usually rent apartments in the city where they are based. Some host institutions may be able to provide assistance with finding an apartment for rent and/or may be able to offer university housing (a dorm room on campus).
The Fulbright Program Team does not assist with housing arrangements.