InteRussia Fellowship for PhD Students, Russia (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the InteRussia Fellowship for IR Specialists, a fully funded international research program designed for early-career scholars and aspiring experts in international relations, political science, and regional studies. This unique opportunity lets participants fully immerse themselves in Russian academia, gain direct access to policy-making institutions, experience the Russian agenda firsthand, and build a global network of young scholars committed to advancing academic dialogue on emerging perspectives in a multipolar world.

The program is fully funded with no application fee charged by the organizers. It is open exclusively to non-Russian citizens who reside outside Russia. The deadline to apply is 1 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Moscow time (UTC +3). Selected candidates receive travel to and from Moscow, single dormitory accommodation, and a one-time scholarship of RUB 45,000, while covering only personal costs such as visa fees, medical insurance, and meals. You can check out more Internships, BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Host Country: Russia
• Application Deadline: 1 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. Moscow time (UTC +3)
• Open For: Non-Russian citizens residing outside Russia only
• Program Duration: 26 October 2026 to 6 December 2026
• Language of Instruction: English
• Application Fee: None

What This Scholarship Offers:

Participants gain a complete immersive experience that directly strengthens their academic and professional profile. You will receive:

• Full immersion in Russian academia and first-hand access to the latest Russian perspectives on global affairs
• Visits to policy-making institutions and participation in expert sessions hosted by universities, think tanks, and non-governmental organisations
• Close professional mentorship and collaboration with leading Russian IR scholars from MGIMO University
• The chance to exchange experiences with young scholars from diverse countries, building a lasting horizontal global network
• Publication-ready research skills developed through work on an original individual project

As a result, successful fellows receive:

• travel from a place of residence to Moscow and back;
• single accommodation in the MGIMO dormitory;
• one-time scholarship of RUB 45,000 for the whole duration of the fellowship.

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Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be non-Russian citizens residing outside of Russia
• Be between 25 and 39 years old
• Have English proficiency at C1 level or higher
• Hold a PhD degree, possess at least 3 years of professional experience at academic institutions or think tanks, or be currently enrolled in a PhD program
• Submit a well-developed research proposal on the program topic
• Have no current or past employment, enrollment, or professional connections with MGIMO University

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How to Apply:

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Sign up on the English version of the Gorchakov Fund’s website. If you do not receive a verification email, check your spam folder.
2. Go to the “My Projects” section, click “Create application,” select the “InteRussia IR MGIMO 2026 (Autumn)” competition, and confirm your choice.
3. Fill in all mandatory fields.
4. Submit the application by clicking the “Submit Application” button in the “Apply” section and wait until the status changes from “Preparing” to “Submitted.”

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