IREX
International Research & Exchanges Board

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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If Your Question Isn't Answered Here?
Contact IREX directly at stg@irex.org

Eligibility

What types of activities are funded by the Short-Term Travel Grants (STG) program?
The STG program funds independent and collaborative research projects in Europe and Eurasia. All projects should seek to advance the public, cultural, and historical knowledge of the eligible countries.

STG does not fund travel to conferences, workshops, seminars, symposia, or other academic gatherings and events. STG also does not fund travel for academic study programs in Europe and Eurasia.

Where may I go on the STG program?
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

What if my project topic concerns one of the eligible countries but requires me to request funding for travel outside that region?
In order to be eligible for consideration the project must focus on and be located in the countries listed in the previous question. Proposals that seek money to travel to countries other than those listed above, regardless of the topic that is to be researched or discussed, are not eligible.

I am not a US citizen, but am a permanent US resident. Am I eligible?
Yes, non-US citizens are eligible for the STG program provided they are permanent residents. They must have been legal US residents for at least three years; proof of residency will be required before grant monies will be disbursed.

Are projects in the hard sciences, medicine, and computer science eligible for consideration?
No, the STG program can only fund projects in the social sciences.

Am I eligible for an STG if I am conducting work that will establish or continue a partnership between my institution and an institution in one of the eligible regions?
No, proposals whose primary goal is to establish a cooperative agreement between two institutions are not eligible for consideration.

May I apply for an STG grant in order to support my travel expenses as part of a pre-arranged study travel group?
No, proposals of this sort are not eligible.

I plan to apply by the February 1 deadline, but I need to travel at the end of February. Is this possible?
No. It takes approximately eight weeks from the deadline for applications to be processed and read by the selection committee. Funds become available to grantees for travel beginning May 1.

Deadlines and Application Materials

The STG application deadline is February 1, 2008. Applications may be completed online or mailed to IREX. Application materials are also available for download online.

Is my application still eligible if it is postmarked by the deadline date?
No. All mailed applications must be received by IREX/Washington, DC no later than the February 1, 2008 deadline. Late applications will not be considered.

May I fax or e-mail my application?
IREX will accept e-mailed applications as long as the application is in one PDF file.  Other formats will not be accepted.  Faxed applications cannot be accepted.  

If I have an STG application from the 2007 competition or earlier, may I use that application to apply for this year's competitions?
No, you must use the updated application for 2008-2009.

May several US scholars apply to conduct a collaborative project?
All STG applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Each applicant must submit his/her own application and unique proposal, and awards will be given to individuals. However, several individuals may submit applications pertaining to the same project.

Should I include extra materials, such as publications, articles, video tapes, CD-ROMs, pictures, etc. to augment my application?
No extraneous material will be accepted.

Selection Process

How are STGs awarded?
Decisions are made by a selection committee composed of scholars who represent a broad cross-section of US academic institutions and disciplines.

Who serves on the selection committee?
Selection committee members are familiar with IREX programs and, in many cases, have participated in an IREX program during their careers. Disciplinary, geographic, age, and gender balance are taken into consideration in determining the final composition of the selection committee. IREX staff only provides administrative support.

When are selections made?
Grantees are selected and notified by the end of April.

Provisions of the Grant

What is the length of an STG grant?
Grants may last from a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of 60 days.

Can IREX help me to secure a visa?
Yes, IREX will cover expenses related to a visa if the grantee uses DMS Visa International.

Funding Sources

Funding for this competition is provided by the US Department of State, Title VIII Program. Information contained here is subject to change based upon available support and priorities as determined either by IREX or by its funders.