The Short-Term Research Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Scholars

The 6-8-week fellowship enables Estonian researchers, especially early- to mid-career scholars, to make use of Stanford’s strong collections, academic knowledge, and networks related to the study of the history, society, and politics of Estonia and the Baltic region.

The fellowship is hosted by The Europe Center, Stanford University’s hub for the interdisciplinary study of Europe and its role in global affairs, and co-sponsored by Stanford Libraries, which is home to one of the strongest Baltic collections in the U.S. and a vibrant program of events and projects led by Curator for Estonian and Baltic Studies. In partnership with SUL, The Europe Center will organize at least one lecture or seminar by the fellow during the fellowship and will include them in the center’s activities, events, and networks. The fellow will also have access to Hoover Institution Library and Archives, which include one of the strongest Baltic archival collections outside the Baltic region, and enjoy the opportunity to engage in the scholarly and research activities of Stanford University.

The goal of the fellowship is to enable Estonian scholars to visit Stanford in order to:

• Carry out research by making use of the library and archival collections at Stanford;
• Deliver at least one seminar or lecture (hosted by The Europe Center and SUL) related to one’s research topic(s) to Stanford faculty, staff, and students;
•  Engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University. 

TIME PERIOD: 6-8 weeks, spring of 2024

GRANT: €15,000

ELIGIBILITY:

We welcome proposals related to the study of history, society, and politics (political/international studies, diplomacy, etc.) of Estonia and the Baltic region.

The fellowship is open to all scholars with a doctoral degree, proposals by early- to mid-career scholars (scholars who have earned their doctoral degree 5–15 years ago) are especially encouraged.

Applicants must be citizens and current residents of Estonia and must return to Estonia after the completion of the fellowship.

The grant is to be used for such purposes as the costs for travel, lodging, food, and photocopying associated with the recipient’s research trip.

The grant is to be used to travel to the U.S. in the spring of 2024. However, depending on circumstances, an extension of up to the end of 2024 may be granted.

The Short-Term Research Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Security and Foreign Policy Experts

The 8-12-week fellowship enables senior Estonian diplomats, academics, or civil servants who are experts in security, foreign policy, and international relations to make use of Stanford’s strong collections, academic knowledge, and networks related to the study of the diplomacy, foreign policy, and politics of Estonia and the Baltic region.

The fellowship is hosted by Stanford Libraries, which is home to one of the strongest Baltic collections in the U.S. and a vibrant program of events and projects led by Curator for Estonian and Baltic Studies. The fellowship is co-hosted by Hoover Institution Library and Archives, which include one of the strongest Baltic archival collections outside the Baltic region, and The Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, Stanford University’s hub for the interdisciplinary study of the region.

The host and co-hosts will organize at least one public lecture, seminar, or workshop by the fellow during the fellowship and will include them in their activities, events, and networks.

The goal of the fellowship is to enable Estonian security and foreign policy experts to visit Stanford in order to:

• Carry out research by making use of the library and archival collections of SUL and HILA.
• Deliver seminars, lectures, or workshops (hosted by SUL, HILA, and CREEES) related to one’s area of expertise or research topic(s) to Stanford faculty, staff, and students. These would include a guest lecture as part of the course “The Baltic World,” organized by Prof. Amir Weiner and hosted by the Department of History, and a workshop/seminar delivered to Stanford researchers and policy experts.
• Engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University.

TIME PERIOD: 8-12 weeks, spring of 2024

GRANT: €20,000

ELIGIBILITY:

We welcome proposals related to the study of the diplomacy, foreign policy, and politics of Estonia and the Baltic region.

The fellowship is open to all scholars, diplomats, and civil servants with a doctoral degree. Applicants must have at least 10 years of experience in their field.

Applicants must be citizens and current residents of Estonia and must return to Estonia after the completion of the fellowship.

The grant is to be used for such purposes as the costs for travel, lodging, food, and photocopying associated with the recipient’s research trip.

The grant is to be used to travel to the U.S. in the spring of 2024. However, depending on circumstances, an extension of up to the end of 2024 may be granted.

The Global Digital Governance Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Scholars

The 2-6-month fellowship enables Estonian researchers, especially early- to mid-career scholars, to visit Stanford University and make use of its academic knowledge, networks, and collections related to the study of information and communications technology (ICT), digital society and economy, cyber security, smart governance, and technology and trust. The fellowship also aims at enhancing Estonian scholars’ ability to share their knowledge of and experience in issues related to cyber security, e-governance, and trust and technology with the research community at one of the top universities in the world and other relevant entities in Silicon Valley, thus contributing to a better understanding of these topics on a global level. 

The fellowship is hosted by Stanford Libraries, which is home to one of the strongest Baltic collections in the U.S. and a vibrant program of events and projects led by Curator for Estonian and Baltic Studies. Stanford Program on Geopolitics, Technology and Governance (GTG), which is situated in the Cyber Policy Center (CPC) at the Freeman-Spogli Institute, is co-sponsoring the fellowship by organizing at least one lecture or seminar by the fellow during the fellowship and including them in GTG’s activities, events, and networks. The fellow will also have the opportunity to engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University, including CPC’s other programs on ICT, social media, and digital policy, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (on AI-related topics), and Department of Electrical Engineering and Department of Computer Science (on hardware security-related topics). 

The host and co-hosts will organize at least one public lecture, seminar, or workshop by the fellow during the fellowship and will include them in their activities, events, and networks. 

The goal of the fellowship is to enable Estonian scholars to visit Stanford in order to:

• Carry out research by making use of the library collections and academic knowledge at Stanford. During the fellowship, the fellow should produce an academic article/book chapter suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal/volume or a policy-oriented white paper published by the Program on Geopolitics, Technology, and Governance (GTG) or other relevant outlet.
• Deliver seminars or lectures related to their research topic(s) to Stanford faculty, staff, and students. These would include public talks and seminars organized by GTG; lectures and seminars to Stanford students who have been selected to intern with organizations and institutions in the Baltic region, including Tallinn University of Technology/Tehnopol; and guest lectures as part of relevant courses by Stanford faculty.
• Engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University. 

TIME PERIOD: 2–6 months, spring or fall of 2024 

GRANT: Up to $50,000

ELIGIBILITY:

• We welcome proposals related to the study of the information and communications technology (ICT), digital society and economy, cyber security, smart governance, and technology and trusto in Estonia and the Baltic region.
• The fellowship is open to all scholars and civil servants/experts with a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must be citizens and current residents of Estonia and must return to Estonia after the completion of the fellowship.
• The grant is to be used for such purposes as the costs for travel, lodging, food, and photocopying associated with the recipient’s research trip.
• The grant is to be used to travel to the U.S. in 2024.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ALL THREE FELLOWSHIPS:

In order to apply, fill in and submit this application form.

The application must include a proposal packet (single Word/PDF file), which must consist of the following parts:

• Fellowship proposal (2-3 pages) outlining the nature and goals of the research project/activities, including Stanford collections, researchers, and institutes/programs of interest. The proposal should also include a title and short abstract for one lecture, seminar, or workshop the applicant wishes to deliver at Stanford (1-2 paragraphs);
• Budget and timeline;
• Applicant’s curriculum vitae.

The grants will be awarded competitively, based on applications submitted. The applications will be evaluated based on their possible contribution to their respective academic field as well as to the academic network of Stanford University, the scholarly potential of the applicant, and the application’s feasibility.

Rejected applications cannot be appealed, but scholars may resubmit applications in subsequent years. 

Award notification will be made in June 2023. 

Questions? Please send an email to Erle Rikmann: erle.rikmann@mfa.ee or Kadri Paju: kadri.paju@vabamu.ee

Read more about the fellowships and last year’s fellows’ experiences here.

To apply please click here.