George F. Kennan Fellowship on Russia, Ukraine, and the Region

The George F. Kennan Fellowships were established in 2015 with the goal of supporting experts from diverse, policy-oriented sectors such as media, business, local government, law, civil society, and academia to examine important political, social, economic, cultural, and historical issues in Russia, Ukraine, and the region. Among the aims of the new fellowships are to build bridges between traditional academia and the policy world, as well as to maintain and increase collaboration among researchers from Russia, Ukraine, the U.S., and beyond. The fellowships are funded by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Note: We are pleased to confirm that the Kennan Institute will be holding its regularly scheduled George F. Kennan Fellowship competition. The next deadline is September 30, 2023. Given the current uncertainty due to the coronavirus and pandemic-related travel restrictions, we anticipate greater flexibility in the administration of fellowships. This may include the possibility of delayed start dates for awarded fellows, contingent upon Wilson Center policies and grant requirements. For more information or specific inquiries, please email kennan@wilsoncenter.org.

3 months duration

The Kennan Institute seeks applicants for the George F. Kennan Fellowship from diverse, policy-oriented sectors such as media, business, local government, law, civil society, and academia to examine important political, social, economic, cultural, and historical issues in Russia, Ukraine, and the region. Among the aims of the new fellowships are to build bridges between traditional academia and the policy world, as well as to maintain and increase collaboration among researchers from Russia, Ukraine, the US, and around the globe. Fellows will be based at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. for 3-month residencies. There are no citizenship requirements for this grant.

The George F. Kennan Fellowship offers a monthly stipend of $4,000, research facilities, computer access, and some travel support. Health insurance and accommodation expenses are not directly covered by this grant. Awardees are expected to begin their three-month appointments within six months of accepting the fellowship. Fellows are required to be in residence at the Kennan Institute, Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. for the duration of the grant.

Research Team Option:

Please note applicants have an option to apply for the fellowship as individuals or as part of a team. If applying as a team of two (or three) applicants, the applicants must be citizens of at least two different countries. The goal of such joint fellowships is to promote collaborative research projects among experts from diverse backgrounds. George F. Kennan Fellowship Teams will:

• Produce joint paper(s) for policy-relevant publications.
• Present work at D.C., and/or international events.
• Conduct meetings and engage with policymakers in D.C.

Two rounds of competitive selection for the George F. Kennan Fellowship are held each year with the following deadlines: March 31 and September 30 (contingent on funding). Please download the application here. Successful applicants will clearly explain the policy relevance of their research. Instructions for submitting applications are on the application form. Applications will be reviewed by an expert committee, and applicants will usually be notified of the results within 6-8 weeks. The exact start date for successful applicants will be determined in consultation with Kennan Institute staff.

The Kennan Institute is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for fellowships based solely on their merits.

The George F. Kennan Fellowship is funded by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York.

CLICK HERE for general advice on applying for Kennan Institute grants and a list of Frequently Asked Questions.