Frequently Asked Questions

• Am I eligible to apply?

  Each grant has specific citizenship and experience/education requirements. Please read each grant page carefully and ask Kennan staff if you are still unsure. For grants where related experience may be used in lieu of education, your proposal must explain what that experience is and why it equips you to complete the proposed project.

• Is my topic eligible/appropriate?

  All proposals pertaining to the region (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltics, the Caucasus, and Central Asia) will be considered. Each grant page explains the goals of that specific opportunity. Remember that your project should be relevant, in some way, to an American audience.

• I am not a US citizen – can I still apply?

  Yes; several of our scholarships are available to foreign nationals. You must be eligible to receive a J1 visa (the Wilson Center cannot host you under any other category of visa) and not currently under any visa bar. Upon acceptance of a grant award, Kennan Staff will work with you on the J1 visa application process.

• My topic is cultural/historical – how do I explain its policy relevance?

  The Kennan Institute has a mission and tradition of researching the cultures of the region to render a deeper understanding of the roots of today’s policy concerns. Review past scholars’ projects, events, and publications at www.wilsoncenter.org to see how historical and cultural projects have provided insights to contemporary issues.

• I’ve applied before – can I apply again?

  If you’ve applied before, there is no reason not to apply again. If you did not succeed previously, you do not have to revise your application, but updating your proposal by reframing your topic or including new work you have completed can help make it more competitive.

• Can I apply to multiple scholarships at the same time?

  You may apply to multiple scholarships at the same time, but remember that the strongest applications are usually tailored to the specific opportunity.

• Can you review my application and give me feedback?

  No. Kennan Staff cannot give specific feedback about a proposal.

• Can you give me feedback on why my application was not selected?

  No. The Kennan Institute does not share the reviews provided by the Advisory Council.

• When can I be in residence?

  The specific grant page will lay out the details of when you may be in residence. Scheduling can be complicated on both sides; you may have to deal with professional, family, or immigration considerations and the Institute has to consider space and grant reporting deadlines. If you have questions about the timing of your residency, please contact Kennan staff.

• What resources are provided?

  The resources vary from grant to grant, but all scholars are provided with at least a library carrel with a PC workstation and access to networked printers. You will also have access to the top-notch Wilson Center Library and its staff.

• Do I have to work at the Wilson Center?

  Yes. All of Kennan’s grants are residential and it is expected that you will keep a regular schedule at the Institute. That said, it is understood that if a heavy component of your research is, for example, at the National Archives or Library of Congress, you will often need to work off-site. We encourage our scholars to take part in the cultural life of the Wilson Center, where chance encounters and public events can often add to the scope of your work.

• Will I have to present or submit the results of my research?

  This depends on the grant. We ask all scholars to submit a short final report on their work at the Wilson Center, which serves as a record of your grant.

• What is the workplace like?

  It is like a university without the students. Staff wear business casual unless a special event requires otherwise. The working hours are roughly 9am to 5pm, though this is flexible. Depending on your grant and space availability, you will be assigned either a library carrel or an office – both of which will have a workstation that is connected to network printers. You are welcome and encouraged to attend any and all public events.

• How will I receive my stipend?

  The interval at which you receive your stipend will depend on the grant. It will be paid out by check or by direct deposit if you request and complete an ACH form. For foreign scholars, you may need to open a local bank account in order to deposit or cash your stipend check. This can be handled in your first days at the Kennan Institute. It can also be arranged for your stipend to be disbursed to your home institution if arrangements are made ahead of your grant.

• Is scholarship income taxable?

  Yes. Kennan staff cannot give tax advice, but will work with you to try to answer your questions. You are ultimately responsible for making sure you have fulfilled any tax obligations in the US and in your home country, if you are a foreign scholar.

• Can you help me find housing?

  The Kennan Institute can provide a list of landlords with whom scholars have rented before and can make general recommendations. The staff will not arrange housing for you.

• Can you help me arrange childcare?

  The Wilson Center does not have childcare facilities. Kennan staff can provide you with a list of some of the available options nearby, but you will be responsible for making arrangements. We recommend that you reach out to childcare centers well in advance of your grant since they fill up quickly.