[33]The Short-Term Travel Grants Program (STG) supports postdoctoral scholars and professionals to conduct independent or collaborative research in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. With its flexible format and quick turnaround time, this program meets an important need for the scholarly and policy communities, and makes a direct impact on the formation of U.S. foreign policy through the support of policy-relevant, "open-source" research on current regional issues of importance to the United States.
STG is designed to allow scholars to conduct short, targeted projects without significantly affecting their teaching and work schedules. STG is sponsored by the Title VIII program through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), U.S. Department of State.
Application Information [34]
The Title VIII program maintains U.S. expertise in the regions of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and brings open-source, policy-relevant research to the service of the U.S. Government and the academic community. Research conducted through the STG program has contributed to a more informed policy debate and has shaped higher education through teaching, publications, and scholar collaborations.
U.S. policy-makers have access to current research on issues affecting U.S. policy in Eastern Europe and Eurasia: STG alumni have presented the results of their works at academic conferences, policy briefings, as well as testifying before Congress.
U.S. scholars strengthen their expertise in the region and advance Eastern European and Eurasian studies in the U.S. academic community: In 2010-2011, U.S. scholars conducted 78 research visits to Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and 83% of participants added to their network of international academic contacts.
On-the-ground critical research: In 2012-2013, STG scholars will be traveling to 10 different countries to conduct research on topics including state-building in the Caucasus, health issues in Ukraine, human rights in Eastern Europe, and political activism in Russia.
Sharing knowledge: STG scholars make a direct impact in the region by contributing their topical expertise through lecturing at universities, consulting for NGOs, and briefing government officials. Final research results are published on the IREX website and disseminated to the U.S. academic and policymaking communities.
Scholars interested in STG can apply to conduct research in up to two countries for up to eight weeks. As part of the STG fellowship, participants are provided with visa assistance, international round-trip transportation, a monthly allowance for housing and living expenses, and emergency evacuation insurance. STG fellows also have access to resources available in any of IREX’s field offices.
Eligible Countries of Research: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
stg@irex.org [35]