Applications open for Sustaining Ukrainian Scholarship

The SUS project, proposed jointly by the New Europe College Bucharest and the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia, aims to support scholars from the regions affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The programme is aimed at qualified researchers (post-doctoral level) in the Humanities and Social Sciences, including Law and Economics, who intend to pursue a project of their own choosing. The selected applicants will have the opportunity to spend an extended period (ideally one or two semesters) as fellows, resident in either Bucharest or Sofia, where they will enjoy all the benefits associated with a fellowship.

By agreement, financial support can also be granted to researchers who are not in residence for the full period and who want or need to continue their work in their country of residence. Seed funding to support the fellows’ scholarly activities is also available, e.g., for the organisation of small events, for cooperative projects with partners in the host country or at home, or for the provision, development or reconstruction of research infrastructure, especially in the digital arena. Overall, NEC and CAS hope to contribute with this programme to sustainability and renewal of scientific life and work in Ukraine and beyond. Through this fellowship programme, both institutes take part in the initiative promoted by the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin and supported by the VolkswagenStiftung aiming to found a (for now Virtual) Institute for Advanced Study (VUIAS) in Kyiv.

What they offer?

• Monthly stipend of 850 Euro
• Accommodation in Sofia
• Reimbursement of travel costs
• Access to the institute’s Library and electronic resources
• Additional support for scientific activities such as workshops, collaboration with local scholars, attending networking meetings abroad or other academic events can also be solicited
• Duration:
  • A full academic year of 10 months or one term of 5 months (starting from October 2024 or March 2025). Flexibility is also possible here.

What they expect?

• Fellows are expected to work on their projects and take part in the scientific events organised by CAS Sofia
• Presence (physical or virtual) at the weekly seminars discussing the work in progress of the Fellows is compulsory. While, as a rule, Fellows are expected to be in-residence in Sofia, more flexible arrangements for scholars based in Ukraine will be considered due to war conditions
• At the end of their affiliation, the fellows must submit a research article, based on their work, that is to be published (electronically) by the institutes.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Fellowships are open to scholars at postdoctoral level who present a meaningful proposal of fundamental research in the sphere of Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Please note that English is the primary language of communication at CAS Sofia and high communication skills in English (written and spoken) are thus required.

For more information, visit CAS Sofia.