Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL INFORMATION
For whom is this program intended?
This program is designed to award Russian scholars in the humanities, hard, natural and social sciences as well as those in the arts the opportunity to a.) conduct research in a university or archive in the U.S. or b.) deliver lectures or give master classes at an U.S. university. Applicants must have, at a minimum, a kandidatskaya degree. Exceptions are made in the cases of those applying in the fields of Architecture/Urban Planning, Communications, Library Science, Music (Performance), Theatre (Directing) and Choreography; in such cases candidates must have an university diploma and five years of experience in the field. Applicants in Creative Writing must have an university diploma and published works (prose, poetry, plays, and scripts).
We are accepting applications in all Fulbright disciplines. A full list of major academic disciplines is posted on the web.
How many Fulbright grants will be awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year?
Approximately 30-40 grants are awarded each academic year including 5 or 6 grants from the Kennan Institute.
What is included in a Fulbright award?
Grants include affiliation with a university or archive, round-trip travel to the U.S., limited medical insurance and funding for housing. Apart from that, each grantee receives a professional and a settling-in allowances.
Can I be affiliated with more than one university?
CIES advises against dual or multiple affiliations unless absolutely necessary because time is lost in finding housing and making other arrangements at each institution. If you are proposing affiliation with more than one institution, you must explain and indicate the approximate length of time needed at each.
Are non-academic affiliations possible?
Non-academic affiliations are sometimes possible but require special review, and approval is not always granted.
Can I receive a Fulbright grant to conduct research/teach in the Russian Federation or in another country other than the U.S.?
Russian Fulbright grants are available only to those who wish to conduct research or teach in the U.S.
Can I defer my Fulbright grant to the following academic year?
No, you may not defer. You can, however, decline the grant and re-apply at a later date.
If I decline a Fulbright grant, and re-apply, will my application be given preference?
Although you are welcome to apply again, your application will not be given preferential treatment.
Are there any privileges for applicants residing outside Moscow and St. Petersburg?
No, there are not. In the past, those residing outside the major cities were given certain benefits; however, it is no longer the case.
Can I take part in the competition for a Fulbright award if my degree is in a field different from the one I am applying in?
Yes, you can. Your application will be evaluated by the experts in the field you’re applying in.
Must I return to the Russian Federation at the end of my Fulbright program?
Yes, those who have received Russian Fulbright awards must return to the Russian Federation .
Grantees travel on J-1 visas, a condition of which requires them to return to the Russian Federation and reside there for two years before applying for an immigrant visa or work visa to the U.S.
Can my family travel with me? What will the Fulbright Program provide my family members?
Family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age) may apply for free for visas to accompany a grant recipient. Family members who are in the US for 80% or more of the grant period will receive a sum of money toward medical insurance. However, they will receive neither funds for traveling to the US and back to Russia nor for meals/housing.
Are relatives such as parents, grandparents, sisters/brothers and the like viewed as immediate family? Can I invite any of them to visit with me during my Fulbright tenure?
Only spouses and children under age (see above) can be considered immediate family members. You can invite all other relatives to stay with you as your guests on a tourist visa. The Fulbright Program will not be able to help with their visas; nor any allowance will be paid to meet their needs.
How much money will I receive to live on each month?
Grantees will receive a stipend in the range of $2500-$2900 per month depending on the city in which they live. By American standards, this is a large sum of money which will allow one to live quite well.
ELIGIBILITY
If I am a Russian citizen but am currently living abroad, may I apply for a Fulbright award?
Unfortunately, only Russian citizens that live permanently in the Russian Federation (i.e. at least for the last six months prior to applying for a Fulbright award) are eligible to apply.
If I am a permanent resident of the Russian Federation but am not a Russian citizen, am I eligible to apply?
Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for a Russian Fulbright Award. However, you may be able to apply in your home country. For additional information, check the CIES website.
APPLICATION
I want to submit an application for the Visiting Scholar Program. How do I proceed with filling it in?
Please visit appropriate pages on our website. Study carefully every piece of information placed in the right-hand column beginning with the Application and Application Instructions. It is also imperative that you read the “The Fulbright Program and General Requirements” and “Preparing the Application” which precede the application forms themselves. These pages give an overview of the program and detailed instructions about how to complete the application. Pay special attention to the instructions for preparing your project statement as this is a very important part of your application.
What address should I list on the application if I do not live where I am registered?
List both addresses and indicate which of them is your residence and which one is your registration address.
I understand that I must submit three letters of reference. Whom should I ask to write such a letter?
Ask those who are qualified to evaluate your professional work; the abilities you bring to the proposed project; your ability to adapt to another country and culture; and the merits of the project itself. At least one letter must be from a colleague in your field outside your home institution. If you are currently working, ask your supervisor or other professional.
Family members or other relatives are not eligible to write letters of reference. Likewise, applicants cannot recommend each other.
Where should I send the recommendation letters?
If you submit your application online it is your referees who enter the letters into the system. The translations of the letters into Russian are sent electronically to the Moscow Fulbright Office. If you submit your application electronically then each of the two submitted files, the one in English and the one in Russian, should include recommendation letters in the Word format in the appropriate language. The originals with authentic signatures should be sent directly to the Moscow Fulbright office via regular post, both in case of an Online and in case of a Word application. DO NOT send your recommendation letters to the U.S.A. either electronically or as hard copies.
Does affiliation with a US institution have to be confirmed at the time of application?
In case of a research application an affiliation with a US institution does not have to be confirmed at the time of application. If your affiliation is not confirmed at the time of application, you should indicate the institution(s) with which you would prefer to be affiliated. Although efforts will be made to arrange an affiliation in line with your preferences, there is no guarantee that this will be possible. If you have made arrangements with a host institution, you should attach a copy of your letter of invitation to your application.
If you are applying for a lecturing reward it is essential that you have a letter of invitation when you are submitting your application. Among other things, it will help reviewers evaluate your proposal adequately.
I can get an invitation from an U.S. institution but I do not really want to spend my grant period there. Would that make sense to include this invitation in my application?
No, it wouldn’t. Based on the invitation the Fulbright Program may place you at this university If your application is successful; and this is not something that you really want. It would be wiser to name the institution(-s) you are really interested in visiting even if you have not secured letters of invitation from them.
I have already made arrangements with a host institution and have a letter from that institution extending this invitation. Am I guaranteed to become a finalist?
A letter from a host institution does not ensure that an applicant will become a finalist.
How will I know that my application was received?
The Fulbright Office in Moscow will notify you of the receipt of your application via email within two to three weeks after the deadline.
Will I need to submit any additional documents if I become a finalist?
Yes, finalists will be required to submit a completed Medical History and Examination Form. Also, each finalist will submit an electronic copy of his/her and dependents’ international passports. Those who have originally submitted an electronic application will need to complete it Online.
Will I receive my application and supporting documents back at the end of the selection process?
No, we are unable to return your application and supporting documents either during or after the competition. Thus we strongly recommend that you keep a set of all application documents for yourself.
What is the closing date for applications?
Applications for the Visiting Scholar Program must reach the Fulbright Program on or by July 15, 2010. Applications can be submitted electronically or online; certain documents should also be sent to the Moscow Fulbright Office by regular post.
SELECTION
How does the selection process work?
Applications will be reviewed in three stages:
Round 1: All applications will be evaluated by American and Russian experts in the appropriate disciplines. American and Russian experts will receive for review a complete set of an applicant’s documents.
Round 2: Applicants whose overall scores at the First Round are high enough will be invited to an English Language interview. The American and Russian committee will evaluate each semi-finalist's communicative, adaptive and English-language skills. The interviews will take place in the fall or December, 2010. Travel and lodging for applicants who do not reside in Moscow will be reimbursed according to the following guidelines:
•If train travel from the applicant's home city to Moscow will take more than 24 hours, the Program will cover the cost of an airline ticket.
•If train travel from the applicant’s home city to Moscow will take less than 24 hours, the Program will cover the cost of a standard (4-person compartment) train ticket.
If necessary, the Program will arrange and pay for one night's stay in a hotel.
Round 3: Recommended candidates and alternates will be selected by a joint American-Russian committee in December, 2010. The committee will include representatives of the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and the Moscow Fulbright Office representatives. All applicants will be notified of their results by normal mail.
I have a specific question that is not addressed here. How can I find out the answer?
Feel free to contact the Fulbright Office in Moscow directly. Our telephone number is (495)935-83-53. Our fax number is (495)937-54-18. Our e-mail address is info@fulbright.ru