The InteRussia Fellowship Program 2026 in Russia is a fully funded, English-language research fellowship in Moscow hosted at MGIMO University, designed for non‑Russian specialists in international relations, political science, and regional studies. The Spring 2026 round runs March 16 to April 26, 2026, and the official application deadline is February 8, 2026 (23:59 Moscow time, UTC+3).
Basic information (including application deadline)
InteRussia is a fellowship programme for foreign specialists in Russia, offering participants the chance to engage with Russian academia, think tanks, and expert communities while working on an original research project. The Spring 2026 fellowship in International Relations is hosted at MGIMO University in Moscow and is conducted in English.
Key details
- Host Institution
- MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia
- Organised with: Gorchakov Fund, MGIMO Endowment, Presidential Grants Foundation & World Youth Festival Directorate
- Host country: Russia.
- Location: Moscow (MGIMO University).
- Working language: English.
- Duration: October 20 – November 30, 2025 (6 weeks)
- Language: English
- Program dates: March 16 – April 26, 2026.
- Fellowship theme (Spring 2026): “Security, Science, and Technology: Managing Change in a Turbulent World.”
- Application deadline: February 8, 2026 (23:59 Moscow time, UTC+3).
University/institution details
The Spring 2026 InteRussia fellowship activities are hosted at MGIMO University (Moscow State Institute of International Relations), which is prominently involved in the program’s academic supervision and expert sessions. The official call highlights a unique feature: selected fellows can work in close cooperation with and under the guidance of lead Russian IR scholars from MGIMO University.
The broader InteRussia programme positions itself as a platform for foreign specialists to participate in projects by leading think tanks, universities, and community-based organizations in Russia.
Programme Purpose
- Immersion in Russian academic and policy-making environment
- Research under guidance of leading Russian IR scholars
- Participation in:
- Expert sessions
- University lectures
- Think tank and NGO discussions
- Policy-making institution visits
- Build a global network of early-career scholars in International Relations
Study areas (available program names)
InteRussia offers different fellowship areas across themes and sectors depending on the round, but the official Spring 2026 call detailed here is specifically for: international relations, political science, and regional studies. The call describes the program as a scientific and research fellowship for non‑Russian specialists in these fields and frames it as an immersion into Russian academia and expert networks.
To make the “program names” section SEO-friendly, you can present it like this:
- InteRussia Fellowship in International Relations (MGIMO) – Spring 2026 (research-focused; English-language; Moscow).
- Theme track: “Security, Science, and Technology: Managing Change in a Turbulent World.”
Practical output requirement: the fellowship must result in an original individual research project of 20,000–35,000 characters (including spaces) based on the submitted research proposal (in English).
InteRussia Fellowship Program benefits (what the program covers)
- What the Organisers Cover
- Round-trip travel to/from Moscow
- Single accommodation
- Visa support
- Scholarship: RUB 45,000 (for entire 6-week programme)
Benefits not included
The official call states that participants must pay for:
- Medical insurance.
- Meals during the fellowship.
Eligibility criteria for the InteRussia Fellowship Program
InteRussia sets specific eligibility criteria, and the Spring 2026 MGIMO call lists them clearly. These requirements are important to meet before investing time in the research proposal and recommendation letters.
Eligibility requirements (Spring 2026, MGIMO IR fellowship):
- Non-Russian citizens
- Age 25–39
- Living outside Russia
- PhD holders, PhD students, or at least 3 years’ academic/think-tank experience
- English proficiency CEFR C1 or higher
- No previous employment or study at MGIMO University
- Able to submit a research proposal
- Research Requirement
- Individual research project
- Length: 15,000–25,000 characters (including spaces)
- Based on the submitted proposal
- Written in English
Selection Criteria
- Quality and relevance of research proposal
- Academic publications
- 2–3 letters of recommendation
- Previous research activities (conferences, grants, fellowships, media work, etc.)
- Online interview performance
Required documents for the application
InteRussia selection is competitive, and the official call highlights evaluation criteria that strongly imply the exact documents you should prepare. Your goal is to prove research maturity, topic relevance, and ability to produce a strong final research paper within six weeks.
Based on the competition criteria and requirements listed, prepare:
- Research proposal (aligned with the Spring 2026 theme and feasible in six weeks).
- Academic publications list (or links/DOIs if available), because publications are a stated evaluation criterion.
- 2–3 letters of recommendation, as explicitly listed in evaluation criteria.
- Evidence of other research/expert activities (conferences, grants, fellowships, expert publications, opinion pieces, media comments).
- Proof of English proficiency at CEFR C1+ level (if requested in the portal).
- Any identification or residency proof that supports “non-Russian” citizenship and residence outside Russia (as required conditions).
InteRussia Fellowship Program application process (step-by-step guide)
The application process is conducted through the Gorchakov Fund website (English version), using an application portal workflow. The official call provides clear steps that you can convert into a simple checklist for readers.
- Register on the Gorchakov Fund website (English version)
- Go to My Projects → Create Application
- Select “InteRussia IR MGIMO 2025 (Autumn)”
- Complete all required fields
- Submit the application and confirm status shows Submitted
Tips for a successful application
InteRussia is competitive because it targets rising scholars and professionals globally, and the selection criteria reward strong research planning and proven output (publications, conferences, expert work). The best applications feel realistic and “research-ready,” not just aspirational.
Practical tips that improve acceptance odds:
- Make your proposal tightly aligned with the Spring 2026 theme (“Security, Science, and Technology…”) and show a clear research question plus method.
- Keep the project feasible: your final output must be produced during the fellowship, so avoid an overly broad topic.
- Treat recommendations strategically: pick referees who can evaluate your research maturity and ability to finish a publishable-quality paper quickly.
- Present your research profile clearly (publications, working papers, conferences, grants) because these are explicit selection criteria.
- Prepare for the interview by practicing a 60–90 second explanation of your project, why Moscow/MGIMO matters for it, and what you will deliver in six weeks.
Monthly living expenses in Moscow (USD)
Moscow can range from affordable to expensive depending on housing, food habits, and lifestyle, but the fellowship covers accommodation in the MGIMO dormitory—this can significantly reduce monthly costs. Because meals are not covered, budgeting for food is important.
Useful Moscow cost benchmarks:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: about 1,000 RUB (range 500–2,000).
- Monthly public transport pass: about 3,160 RUB (range 2,870–3,500).
- Mobile plan (10GB+): about 680 RUB per month (range 400–1,200).
- 1-bedroom rent in city centre averages around 111,250 RUB/month (rent costs matter mainly if you live off-campus).
Practical monthly budget in USD (typical ranges for fellows):
- With dorm accommodation provided: $350–$700/month for food, local transport, phone/data, and personal spending (depending on lifestyle).
- If living privately (not typical for this fellowship): budgeting becomes much higher due to rent, so dorm accommodation is a major financial advantage.
Why choose InteRussia Fellowship Program 2026? (at least 5 reasons)
InteRussia is an excellent option for early-career researchers and professionals who want to develop deeper expertise while engaging directly with Russian academic and policy conversations. The official call emphasizes immersion into Russian academia, policy-making institutions, and expert sessions, plus guided work with MGIMO scholars.
Top reasons to apply:
- Fully funded core costs: travel to/from Moscow, accommodation, visa support, and a RUB 45,000 scholarship for the entire fellowship duration.
- Strong academic mentorship: opportunity to work closely with lead Russian IR scholars at MGIMO University.
- Clear research outcome: you produce an original research project with defined length requirements, which can strengthen your publication pipeline.
- High-value networking: access to expert sessions hosted by universities, think tanks, and NGOs, building international scholarly connections.
- English working language: the fellowship is organized in English, making it accessible to international applicants who do not speak Russian.
- Focused timeline: six weeks is short but intensive, ideal for professionals who can’t leave work for months.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) What is the InteRussia Fellowship Program 2026?
InteRussia is a fellowship programme for foreign specialists that enables participants to engage with Russian academia and expert communities through structured activities and research projects.
2) Where is the InteRussia Spring 2026 fellowship hosted?
The Spring 2026 fellowship activities are hosted at MGIMO University in Moscow, Russia, and conducted in English.
3) What are the programme dates for InteRussia Spring 2026?
The fellowship runs March 16 to April 26, 2026.
4) What is the application deadline?
The deadline is February 8, 2026 (23:59 Moscow time, UTC+3).
5) Who can apply?
Non-Russian nationals aged 25–39, residing outside Russia, with English proficiency at CEFR C1+, and with a PhD (or relevant research experience/PhD studies in progress) can apply, subject to the MGIMO affiliation restriction.
6) What costs are covered?
Organizers cover travel to/from Moscow, single accommodation in the MGIMO dormitory, visa support, and a RUB 45,000 scholarship for the entire fellowship duration.
7) What costs are not covered?
Participants must pay for medical insurance and meals during the fellowship.
8) Do I need to submit a research proposal?
Yes, submission of a research proposal is explicitly required and is also part of the selection criteria.
Deadline
6 February 2026- 11:59 pm (Moscow time, UTC +3)
