Graduate Funding

The Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies offers funding opportunities to support students’ research, study, travel, and other academic and professional activities related to Latin America. Explore the opportunities below to find funding available specifically to graduate students affiliated with REEES.

For a complete list of funding opportunities available through the University Center for International Studies (UCIS), including opportunities offered by other UCIS units, visit the Graduate Funding Opportunities page.

Deborah Jeanne Gillotti Graduate Fellowship Award

Award description

In 2006, University alumna and Trustee Deborah Gillotti generously created a fund to support educational and research expenses for Pitt graduate students with potential to become leaders. Fellowship funding is available to students who:

  • Have a unique experiential learning opportunity that will propel their education and future career--and need funds to be able to realize the opportunity.

Preference will be given to students who:

  • Have proven leadership skills developed prior to entering a graduate program at the University or are recognized to have long-term leadership potential that will be enhanced by their graduate training.
  • Are pursuing research related to emerging market nations.

Eligibility

  • Students enrolled in (and in good standing) in any graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh.

Or

  • Students who have been admitted to a graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh. Please note that funding is contingent upon the student accepting their offer of admission.

International students are eligible to receive Gillotti Fellowships.

Use of funding

Funding can be used to cover the costs of eligible research and travel expenses (one time or recurring), provide a living stipend or travel assistance to allow a student to accept a prestigious or otherwise important opportunity (e.g., a federal or international fellowship, internship, etc.) or participate in training opportunities enhancing leadership skills, or to fund student-led initiatives at Pitt to develop or enhance leadership on campus.

Multiple awards of between $5,000 to $10,000 will be made each year. Awards may be for one-time opportunities or can be renewable through the final year of study (when applicable).

Travel Warnings and Restrictions:
Student applicants should carefully consider requesting funds to travel to countries with a level 3 State Department travel advisory; UCIS may use that as one criterion when considering applications. No requests for support for travel to countries with a level 4 State Department advisory will be considered.

Application process

For enrolled students, application, CV/resume, and a brief precis of their research, career goals, and how they intend to use the funding (including a proposed budget), along with a letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation should specifically address the applicant’s leadership experience or potential.

For admitted students, an application, CV/resume, a brief precis, and a letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation should address the applicant’s leadership experience or potential. Students will also be asked to specify how the funds will be used (e.g., $5,000/year summer research and professional development funds) in a proposed budget.

Apply on Submittable

Deadline

March 1st, 2027

Contact

Allyson Delnore
adelnore@pitt.edu
University Center for International Studies
4400 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

International Studies Fund (ISF)

International Studies Fund (ISF)

The International Studies Fund (ISF) is intended to help students at the University of Pittsburgh conduct research on international issues or in international settings and/or with international collaborators. “International” is defined as relating to another country or culture, comparative analysis covering more than one country or culture, studies of international relations or of transnational activities, or studies which examine topics related to global issues or collaborative projects with partners around the world.

Please note: the application requires a faculty recommendation. The online application system will only prompt your selected faculty to submit the required recommendation upon your submission of the application. You should, therefore, aim to submit your application with ample time for faculty to submit the recommendation by the deadline.

Important: ISF grants may not be used for tuition, language study, internships and other non-research related expenses. Conference, workshop or symposium travel is not eligible for funding under the ISF program.

See below for application form and procedure.

Eligibility

Full-time graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Pittsburgh from all Schools and Campuses are eligible to submit a proposal, including international degree-seeking students. Visiting, non-degree, and post-doctoral students are not eligible to apply.

Awardees must be enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh when applying and when using the award.

Only one International Studies Fund award per student and fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) is allowed.

Please note: An ISF grant may be used to support participation in a group project; however, funds must directly support the student’s individual participation in the project (including direct costs such as travel, supplies, etc.).

Evaluation Criteria

The ISF selection committee uses the following criteria in evaluating proposals:

  • Is this an original and important project?
  • Does the proposal include sufficient information about the project?
  • Is the information clearly presented and understandable to non-specialists?
  • Are the activities proposed appropriate to the overall project?
  • Will the project lead to or conclude a larger overall agenda?
  • Is the proposed budget reasonable for the activities proposed?
  • If there is research involving interventions or interactions with individuals or the collection of identifiable private information concerning living individuals, has the applicant enclosed proof of IRB clearance?

Amount of Grant

The maximum grant amount is $1,000. Because of the limited availability of funds, smaller requests may be more likely to be funded. Grants awarded must be used by June 30 of the next calendar year.

Allowable Expenses

  • Ground and air transportation to and from research site.
  • Lodging and meal expenses while conducting research.
  • Copy and other duplication costs.
  • Books and subscriptions, if justifiably necessary for the research project.
  • Foreign language tutoring or translation if justifiably necessary for research.
  • Visa and immunization expenses.

Non-allowable Expenses

  • Travel expenses for individuals other than the applicant.
  • Equipment.
  • Membership fees.
  • Tuition or course fees.
  • Travel and living expenses for non-research related activities

Travel Warnings and Restrictions

Student applicants should carefully consider requesting funds to travel to countries with a level 3 State Department travel advisory; UCIS may use that as one criterion when considering applications.  No requests for support for travel to countries with a level 4 State Department advisory will be considered.

Grantee Obligations

  • All research involving interventions or interactions with individuals or the collection of identifiable private information concerning living individuals requires prospective Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Grantees are responsible for obtaining IRB approval when required, and must provide documentation of IRB approval before a grant can be awarded. For further information, check the IRB web site at www.irb.pitt.edu. Priority will be given to the applicants who include proof of IRB clearance with applications.  Applicants who are in some stage of the review process with IRB are also encouraged to provide proof of this process.  If IRB approval cannot be obtained prior to the ISF deadline due to circumstances outside the applicant’s control, a written explanation with expected approval date must be attached to the application.
  • Grantees are required to submit a final report explaining the use of the funds and the outcomes of the supported activity no later than one month after the activity is completed. Failure to submit a final report will disqualify the ISF recipient from future ISF competitions.
  • Grantees may be invited to present their work, or otherwise share their expertise, by any of the centers or programs housed within UCIS.

Application Procedure

Applications are to be completed online.  The first time that you access one of the following application forms, you will be directed to a welcome screen at our partner, Submittable.com and invited to create a new user account.  After completing this simple process, you will be shown the application form.

Please note:

  • This application requires that you upload multiple pieces of supporting documentation, notably the ISF Budget Spreadsheet, evidence of Institutional Review Board clearance, and an 1100-word (maximum) proposal narrative.  Preparing those documents in advance will likely simplify the application process for you.  You will be able to save your application mid-stream and then return to it before final submission.
  • We are now requiring a letter of recommendation from a faculty member (at Pitt or from another accredited institution) as part of your application materials. Faculty are expected to attest to their willingness to mentor the applicant and elaborate on the originality of the research project.

ISF Application Form

Applications will be reviewed by committee. Awardees will be notified approximately four weeks after the deadline.

Deadline

March 1st, 2027

Contact

Allyson Delnore
adelnore@pitt.edu
University Center for International Studies
4400 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Nationality Room Scholarship (Graduate)

Deadline

Graduate applications open on October 1, 2025. Applications are due by February 15, 2025. Submit the following:

  • Online Application on PittFund$Me. The application will include personal and academic information, proposed budget, and a Statement of Purpose and a Personal Statement. On PittFund$Me, please search for the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs Scholarships in the search bar. Then, choose your 1st and 2nd choice scholarships from the drop-down menu.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation requested and submitted via PittFunds$Me. One must be from a University faculty member and the other may be another faculty member or other professional source.
  • Academic Transcript.
  • If an applicant is planning to conduct independent research, a statement on the focus and preparation for the research and explanation of the research methods and use of the data must be submitted.  
  • Approval of the Dean of the school or department for independent research or internship
  • Applicants must register your fieldwork/research independent experience with Pitt Global Experiences Office

Purpose

Established in 1948, the NRIEP Scholarships have a long-standing tradition of fostering academic excellence and global engagement among students at the University of Pittsburgh. Our core philosophy is rooted in the belief that a global experience enriches the academic journey, broadens perspectives, and cultivates a community of scholars committed to making a positive impact in the world.

We strive to award undergraduate and graduate Pitt students, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder access to transformative international opportunities. This endeavor is made possible through the dedicated engagement of the Nationality Rooms' Committees, who work collaboratively with NRIEP to identify and support outstanding candidates. By creating a diverse and dynamic community of scholars, we aim to support and inspire individuals who will contribute to global understanding and cooperation.

At the heart of our mission is the commitment to empower students to pursue academic and personal growth through international experiences, ultimately preparing them to become leaders and innovators in an interconnected world.

It is the vision and generosity of the Nationality Rooms committees and supporters of NRIEP's mission that have raised more than $4.5 million to provide these important intercultural exchange opportunities.

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • A current full-time or part-time student on a University of Pittsburgh campus before and following the global learning experiences
  • Have good academic standing
  • The proposed independent research or internship must relate to academic and professional goals.   
  • Students may apply for two scholarships but will only be awarded one NRIEP scholarship.
  • Previous awardees are not eligible for an additional scholarship.  Previous applicants who were not awarded a scholarship may apply again.

Funding

Varies

More Information

To learn more, visit the NRIEP website. Please direct all scholarship questions to nriep@pitt.edu. 

REEES Graduate Student Small Grants for Conference Travel

Deadline

Rolling

Who is Eligible?

Graduate students and qualified undergraduates.

Requirements/Intended Use of Funds

Support for attendance at academic conferences and workshops related to the REEES world area.

Max Funding

Up to $500 for domestic scholarly research or up to $1000 for international research or conference participation

More Information

To learn more and apply visit the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.

Susan M. Hicks Memorial Fund Scholarship

Deadline

Applications are due by 5:00 PM EST through PittFund$Me (click to apply) on January 15, 2027.

Purpose

These scholarships are made possible by the Susan M. Hicks Memorial Fund, which honors the legacy of former REEES Academic Advisor Susan Hicks by providing financial support to Pitt students who wish to study in East/Central Europe or the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Eligibility

Undergraduate & graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.25 who are applying for a Pitt-approved study abroad program relevant to the REEES world region is eligible. Applicants must be enrolled in a REEES certificate program.

Funding

Varies. Students may combine this scholarship with study-abroad funding from sources internal or external to the University. Awards will be applied as reimbursements to cover international travel and other program costs after the conclusion of the student's study abroad program.

More Information

Contact reesadv@pitt.edu 

There are also a number of national and international funding opportunities available for students. While not exhaustive, some of the opportunities available for external funding are listed below.

Academic Year Scholarships

The American Association of University Women Educational Foundation awards fellowships for graduate and postgraduate studies to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  Selection criteria include an outstanding academic record, professional potential, and the potential of the field of study to improve lives of women and girls in the country of origin. Awards: postdoctoral fellowships – $30,000; doctoral fellowships – $20,000; master’s fellowships – $18,000.

The American Council for Polish Culture provides a $5,000 award to a qualified student to support graduate studies. Applicants must be American citizens of Polish descent who have completed one year of studies at the graduate level.

The Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship provides funding for full-time graduate studies in the United States or Poland.  Scholarships range from $1,000 to $7,000. Applicants must be of Polish descent, and a U. S. citizen or permanent res­ident of Polish descent; an undergraduate senior or graduate student; and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

National Security Education Program (NSEP), David L. Boren Fellowship awards fellowships to graduate students to study a contemporary language and culture in an area of the world other than western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Awards are made for a minimum of one and a maximum of six academic semesters (24 months). Support for language or area study coursework at your home university is $2,000 per semester. Overseas study is based on program expenses for a maximum of $10,000 per semester for up to two semesters.  All recipients of Boren awards must seek employment with an agency or office of the federal government involved in national security affairs.

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provide funding of $20,000 and partial tuition remission for up to two years of graduate study in professional or academic programs. Eligible candidates must be a Green Card holder, a naturalized US citizen, or the child of naturalized parents; be no older than 30 years of age; demonstrate the relevance of graduate study to their long-term career goals and potential to contribute to society.

The School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS) celebrates of the return of VESTNIK, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies, the world's first online journal focused on showcasing student research on Eurasia.

Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship supports students preparing to enter the United States Foreign Service. The award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the junior and senior years of college and during the first year of graduate (Master’s) study.

Internships

The Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) Internship Grant Program provides funding for students who secure unpaid internships related to the REEES field.

Central Intelligence Agency Graduate Studies Programs offers paid student internships of various duration for undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must be US citizens and should have a strong academic record (3.0 GPA or better).

Research and Study Abroad

American Councils for International Education ACTR/ACCELS is now accepting applications for its Title VIII Grants for Research and Advanced Language Training programs in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine. See a full list of countries eligible for each research fellowship. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for these awards. Fellowships will be offered in two categories. Funding for these programs is available through American Councils 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). All competitions for funding are open and merit based. All applications will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, or disability.

  • Title VIII Research Scholar Program provides full support for three- to nine-month research trips to Russia, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Ukraine, and Moldova. Fellowships include roundtrip international travel, housing and living stipend, visa support, medical insurance, archive access, and logistical support in the field. Open to U.S. graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and faculty.
  • Title VIII Combined Research and Language Training Program provides full support for research and up to ten academic hours per week of advanced language instruction for three-to-nine months in Russia, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Ukraine, and Moldova. Fellowships include roundtrip international travel, housing and living stipend, tuition, visa support, medical insurance, archive access, and logistical support in the field. Open to U.S. graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and faculty.

The American Councils Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP) provides graduate students, advanced undergraduates, scholars, and working professionals intensive individualized instruction in the languages of Eurasia. Participants may enroll in semester, academic year, or summer programs. All courses are conducted by expert faculty from leading local universities and educational institutions. American Councils currently offers study abroad programs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. Participants can study Armenian, Azeri, Buryat, Chechen, Georgian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Persian (Dari, Farsi, Tajiki), Romanian, Tatar, Turkmen, Tuvan, Ukrainian, Uzbek or Yakut.

The American Councils Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) serves both graduate and undergraduate students. The academic program is designed to improve participants’ oral, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in Russian language and to develop their knowledge of Russian history, politics, culture, and society. The academic year, semester, and summer programs provide approximately twenty hours per week of in-class instruction in Russian grammar, phonetics, conversation, and cultural studies at Moscow International University, the Russian State Pedagogical University (Gertsen Institute) in St. Petersburg, and the KORA Center for Russian Language in Vladimir. One day per week of the academic program is set aside for local cultural excursions.

The Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies offers a number of fellowships to support dissertation research abroad. 

The Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI) offers high-quality, proficiency-driven online courses in four Central Eurasian languages. Courses are open to undergraduates, graduate students, adult learners, and high school juniors and seniors. This accelerated eight-week program is equivalent to one year of language study, developing speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills through intensive instruction and a range of engaging co-curricular activities. Funding opportunities are available. 

Central European University is a US-style, internationally recognized institution of post-graduate education in the social sciences and humanities. The summer school is an international program in English for graduate students, junior or post-doctoral researchers, faculty and professionals in the social sciences and humanities. It draws its student body of around 500 participants annually from more than 80 countries and its faculty from over 40 countries. The summer school offers 19 high-level, research-oriented, interdisciplinary academic courses as well as workshops on policy issues for professional development, taught by internationally renowned scholars and policy experts (including CEU faculty). Application from all over the world is encouraged. Financial aid is available.

Council for European Studies Pre-dissertation Fellowship Program provides students with the opportunity to develop the skills required to undertake doctoral research through preliminary library research and field-site investigations.  Eligibility is limited to doctoral students who have completed the majority of their coursework and whose universities are members of the Council.

The Indiana University Bloomington Summer Language Workshop  is one of the oldest and most innovative accelerated language training programs in the world. It offers scholarship opportunities for in-person, online, and overseas programs.

Institute of Current World Affairs / John O. Crane Memorial Fellowship provides fellowships for self-designed independent study abroad for a minimum period of two years to young women and men under 36 years of age who demonstrate initiative, integrity, outstanding character, good communications skills, seriousness of purpose, and enthusiasm for their chosen fields.

The International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) offers multiple programs for U.S. and foreign scholar.

  • Individual Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO) provide grants of two to nine months for doctoral students and senior scholars for research at institutions in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
  • Short Term Travel Grants (STG) provide grants for scholarly projects of up to two months focusing on Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

The Shevchenko Society provides scholarships for students enrolled in a Ukrainian language program over the summer. Fellowships are also available to support research focused on Ukrainian studies.

The School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS) lists scholarships, aid, and grant programs that can help fund study abroad Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Most are specifically for US citizens.

United States Institute of Peace (USIP): Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship supports one year of dissertation research and writing on international conflict, conflict resolution, and peace initiatives. Successful candidates must be ABD by the time their fellowship begins.

Dissertation Writing and Post-Doctoral Fellowships

The American Research Center in Sofia (ARCS) invites applications for its new “Residential Fellowship for Southeast European Scholars.” The Fellowship is available to PhD candidates and young postdoctoral scholars whose research specialties are in archaeology, history, art/architectural history, cultural anthropology/ethnography, museum studies, or cultural heritage management with a geographic focus on the Balkans (prehistory to present day).

The Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) Summer Dissertation Writing Grant Program provides support for full-time summer dissertation writing.

Council for European Studies offers three different kinds of pre-dissertation research fellowships, all designed to support early dissertation research on topics in European Studies, as well as a dissertation completion fellowship, designed to aid late-stage graduate students in completing their dissertation and completing their graduate studies.

The Havighurst Center Post Doctoral Fellowship supports junior scholars of exceptional promise in all areas of academic study related to Russia and other post-Soviet countries.  Fellowships are for one year, but may be renewed for a second year.  Fellows normally teach four 15 week courses in the field of their primary research interest per year and assist in developing Havighurst programs in the area of their interest.  There are no citizenship requirements.

Human Rights Watch Fellowship Program awards paid fellowships with benefits to recent graduates of law schools or graduate programs (master's degree and above) in journalism, international relations, area studies, or other relevant disciplines.  Fellows work full time for one year at Human Rights Watch, based in New York City or Washington, D.C., and monitor human rights developments in various countries, conduct on-site investigations, draft reports on human rights conditions, and engage in advocacy aimed at publicizing and curtailing human rights violations.

The Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies offers grant and fellowship opportunities for research related to Russia and the Soviet successor states, as well as paid research assistant positions.

The Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowships are designed to assist graduate students in the humanities and social sciences during the last year of Ph.D. dissertation writing.  Applicants must complete their dissertations within the period of their fellowship tenure or shortly thereafter.  Awards include university fees, research support, and stipend up to $33,000.

Workshops and Other Training Opportunities

The Summer Research Laboratory on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia (SRL), held at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is a multi-week program of workshops and independent library research. Associates are given full access to the collection and resources of the University of Illinois Library, the largest Slavic collection west of Washington, DC, and are able to seek advice from the reference librarians of the Slavic and East European Library. Participation is open to graduate students, Ph.D. recipients employed within and outside of academia, regional specialists, area librarians, and other specialists.

The Writing Across Boundaries Program (WAB) introduces early-career scholars originating from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, to the academic journal publishing process. WAB seeks to provide a supportive, inclusive environment where authors engage each other in conversation about writing, editing, and preparing a manuscript for submission to an English-language, peer-reviewed professional journal. Doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and other early-career scholars from all disciplines and academic training in the arts & humanities and social sciences are encouraged to apply.