Galina Starovoitova Fellowship on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution

Please note: This fellowship is restricted to citizens of the Russian Federation residing either in or outside of Russia at the time of application.

The Kennan Institute is pleased to announce the latest competition cycle for the Galina Starovoitova Fellowship on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution.

The prestigious Starovoitova Fellowship was established following US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's 25 January 1999 speech in Moscow in which she announced funding for a memorial fellowship at the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in honor of Galina Starovoitova. 

Galina Starovoitova was a leading human rights advocate and a deputy in the Russian lower house of parliament (Duma). She won her Duma seat from St. Petersburg in Russia's December 1995 legislative elections. Starovoitova served in the Congress of Peoples' Deputies during 1989-91 and was a presidential advisor on ethnic relations until 1992. She was a co-founder of the Democratic Russia movement. In 1989, Galina Starovoitova was a visiting scholar at the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She was also a fellow in the Jennings Randolph fellowship program at the United States Institute for Peace during 1993-94, where she completed research on self-determination movements in the former Soviet Union, and a visiting professor at Brown University.

In keeping with both the legacies of Woodrow Wilson and Galina Starovoitova, the Starovoitova Fellowship is available to scholars, policy makers, journalists, civic activists, and other engaged persons who successfully bridge the worlds of ideas and public affairs to advance human rights and conflict resolution. Possible research areas include:

a)      rule of law issues
b)      human rights
c)      ethnic, religious, racial and cultural policies
d)      conflict resolution
e)      development of democratic institutions
f)       promotion of civil society
g)      development of civic education and related cultural issues
h)      nation-building
i)       nationalism and xenophobia
j)       tolerance
k)      the free press

Applicants with substantial experience from a wide variety of backgrounds (including academia, government, the corporate world, the professions, NGOs, the media) are eligible for appointment. All applicants are required to have a working knowledge of English. For academic participants, eligibility is limited to the postdoctoral level, and normally it is expected that academic candidates will have demonstrated their scholarly development by publication beyond the Kandidat dissertation. For other applicants, an equivalent level of professional achievement is expected.

Under the terms of the grant, the Galina Starovoitova Fellowship offers a monthly stipend of $4805, research facilities, word processing support, and research assistance. One 6-month and one 3-month grant are available. Grant recipients are required to be in residence at the Kennan Institute in Washington, D.C. for the duration of their grant. The Starovoitova Fellows are expected to hold public lectures on the themes of conflict resolution and human rights while conducting research on a specific topic. In addition, the Starovoitova Fellow will actively participate in discussions with the public policy and academic communities, including giving speeches and lectures at other institutions and taking part in meetings and conferences.

The Kennan Institute will hold one round of competitive selection for two (a six month and a three month) Starovoitova Fellowships in the 2023-24 program year. Applications will be reviewed by an expert committee. Successful applicants will proceed to a second round of selection, consisting of an interview. Final results will be announced during the fall. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS

Please see the Kennan Institute Galina Starovoitova Fellowship Application linked on this page. Please keep in mind that the Starovoitova Fellowship, which is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, is restricted to citizens of the Russian Federation residing either in or outside of Russia at the time of application.

Deadline
All application materials must be received by July 22.
Please email an electronic version of your application as an attachment:
Email:  kennan@wilsoncenter.org

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.

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