Billington Fellowship on Russian History and Culture
The Kennan Institute seeks applications from scholars who have received their Ph.D. within the past 10 years for the newly established Billington Fellowship to conduct research on Russian history and culture. The Billington Fellowship was established in 2016 in tribute to the co-founder of the Kennan Institute, Director Emeritus of the Wilson Center, and Librarian Emeritus of Congress, James H. Billington. Dr. Billington has made enduring contributions to the field of Russian Studies, and in our nation’s ability to understand and maintain bridges of dialogue with the Russian people. He is not only the author of The Icon and the Axe (1966), Fire in the Minds of Men (1980), and Russia in Search of Itself (2004), among other seminal works; he is the visionary behind the Open World Leadership Center, which has facilitated the travel of over 24,000 individuals from Eurasia to the United States to meet with members of Congress and visit across the United States.
The Billington Fellow will be based at the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute in Washington, D.C. for a nine-month term (one academic year). Fellows will receive access to the Library of Congress, National Archives, and policy research centers in Washington, D.C., as well as the opportunity to meet with key experts and officials at the State Department, USAID, Department of Defense, and Congress. While conducting research, the Billington Fellow will be expected to actively participate in discussions with the policy and academic communities. These discussions can be in the form of speaking engagements at the Wilson Center and potentially outside of Washington D.C., as well as attending meetings, conferences, and other activities organized by the Kennan Institute and the Wilson Center. Upon completion of the fellowship, the Billington Fellow will join our growing list of alumni, for whom the Kennan Institute will continue to offer opportunities for collaboration and engagement.
Applicants for the Billington Fellowship must hold a Ph.D. awarded within the past 10 years. Preference will be given to proposed research in the fields of Russian history and culture. There is no citizenship restriction on this grant.
The Billington Fellowship offers a monthly stipend of $3,500, research facilities, a research intern, and computer access. Fellows are required to be in residence at the Kennan Institute, Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. for the duration of the grant. Awardees are expected to begin their appointments within six months of accepting the fellowship.
The deadline for this competition is May 15. To apply, please complete the attached application form according to the instructions and submit by email to: kennan@wilsoncenter.org
Please note that the application form calls for two letters of recommendation for the proposed research. Instructions for obtaining and sending reference letters are on the application form.
The Billington Fellowship is made possible through generous private support to the Billington Initiative at the Kennan Institute.
