Stephen F. Cohen–Robert C. Tucker Dissertation Research Fellowship 2018, USA

The Stephen F. Cohen–Robert C. Tucker Dissertation Research Fellowship (CTDRF) Program for Russian Historical Studies supports the next generation of US scholars to conduct their doctoral dissertation research in Russia. The CTDRF Program is sponsored by the KAT Charitable Foundation. 

Established in 2015, the Cohen-Tucker Dissertation Research Fellowship Program provides annual fellowships, with a maximum stipend of $22,000, for doctoral students at US universities, who are citizens or permanent residents of the US, to conduct dissertation research in Russia. The Program is open to students in any discipline whose dissertation topics are within 19th - early 21st century Russian historical studies.

FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH SCOPE

• The research topic must be in 19th - early 21st century Russian historical studies; in cases of equally qualified applications, some preference may be given to research on the Soviet era
• The research topic can be in cultural, economic, intellectual, political, or social historical studies
• The geographic focus of the research must be predominantly within the current boundaries of the Russian Federation NOTE: This does not exclude research related to other former Soviet Republics or territories of the 19th c. Russian Empire, but the research topic must still be predominantly a historical study of Russia 
• The research must be conducted primarily in the Russian Federation, but the fellowship may be used to conduct research for a briefer period in secondary site(s) in one other former Soviet republic or territory once forming part of the Russian empire (NOTE: The fellowship does not support research in North America) 
• The duration of research travel must be at least nine (9) months. Research can be conducted in two trips if the visa situation requires it, but all proposed research travel must be concluded within 15 months from the start of the research travel.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicant must:

• be a doctoral student at a US university
• have a dissertation research topic that falls within the fellowship research scope (see above), but may be in any discipline
• have language proficiency to conduct research in Russia
• have successfully achieved PhD candidacy (ABD status) by the start of the proposed research travel
• be a citizen or permanent resident of the US
• be a student member of ASEEES at the time of the application submission
• be able to receive and maintain a visa to the Russian Federation (and any other site of research that requires a visa). NOTE: Applicant MUST be able to obtain a visa through an affiliation with a Russian research institution (ASEEES may be able to provide some assistance in establishing institutional affiliation)
• plan to start the research travel within the same calendar year following the receipt of the fellowship (Ex: Upon notification of the fellowship in the spring of 2018, the recipient must start his/her research travel no later than December 31, 2018)
• not have a grant from another organization to conduct the same or similar research project at the same time. NOTE: Applicants may apply for competing grants, however if offered another grant as well as the CTDRF, the applicant must choose between them
• not hold or have held the ASEEES Dissertation Grant for the same research project

FELLOWSHIP AMOUNT

The fellowship amount will be a maximum of $22,000, which can be spent on expenses incurred while conducting research in Russia, including living expenses, research expenses, international airfare, visa expenses, and evacuation and health insurance. 
NOTE: The fellowship does not support tuition payments to the applicant’s US home institution. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

The fellowship will be awarded on the basis of:

• the applicant's scholarly qualifications
• the scholarly significance of the project and its capacity to advance Russian historical studies
• the feasibility of the research proposal

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All components of the application must be submitted online.

• Completed online application
• Research proposal (Max. 2000 words - a detailed instruction on the online application form)
• Curriculum vitae
• Graduate transcript(s)
• Two (2) letters of professional reference (one must be from the main dissertation adviser)
• Language proficiency reference

For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.