Title VIII Fellowships for Overseas Language Study

The U.S. Department of State, Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII), provides fellowship support to graduate students in policy-relevant fields who wish to participate in the American Councils Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP), the Balkan Language Initiative (BLI), or the Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP).

Title VIII fellowships are awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit. In the past, awards have covered as much as 75 percent of total program costs; however, awards may be considerably smaller depending upon the number and quality of applicants for a given program.

To be eligible for Title VIII funding, applicants must:

• Meet the requirements of their selected program;

• Have completed their undergraduate studies by the time their program starts;

• Be enrolled or demonstrate intent to enroll in graduate study in a field relevant to the formulation of U.S. policy in the region;

• Be U.S. citizens;

• Demonstrate academic excellence.

To be considered for Title VIII funding, simply indicate your wish to be considered for financial aid when completing the application for your selected program and complete all of the questions and forms that follow.

Fully-Funded Title VIII Research Programs

American Councils administers two Title VIII programs for U.S. scholars and graduate students conducting policy-relevant research in Russia, Eastern Europe, or Eurasia:

Research Scholar Program

The Research Scholar Program provides full financial support for 3 to 9 consecutive months of overseas research. Fellowship awards include international travel, housing and living stipends, insurance, visa assistance, and logistical support while abroad. Full program details, including information on how to apply, can be found on the Research Scholar Program page.

Combined Research and Language Training Program

The Combined Research and Language Training Program provides up to 10 hours per week of advanced language instruction in addition to the benefits provided by the Research Scholar Program. Full program details, including information on how to apply, can be found on the Combined Research and Language Training Program page.

All competitions for funding are merit-based and open to U.S. graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Fellowship Snapshot

Eligibility

Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty; or applicants who have completed their undergaduate studies and have demonstrated intent to enroll in a graduate-level study program.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Application Deadlines

• Title VIII Research Programs: October 1

• Language Programs Summer Term: February 15

• Language Programs Fall and Academic Year Terms: March 15

• Language Programs Spring Term: October 15

About the Funder

Support for these fellowships is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII).