CTDRF: Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am a US citizen but in a PhD program in Canada?  Can I apply?

2. I am a student at a US university but not US citizen?  Can I apply?

3. I would like to conduct some of my research in Kazakhstan.  Can I apply?

4. My dissertation is in Russian literature. Can I apply?

5. My dissertation topic is on early 19th century Russian history.  Can I apply?

6. What kind of Russian visa am I expected to obtain to conduct research in Russia?

7. If I receive a Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship for my research proposal, can I keep both fellowships and conduct my research in Russia longer?

8. I am a native speaker of Russian. Do I still need to submit a letter from a language evaluator for the Research Fellowship application?

9. When is the deadline for referees to submit the reference letters?

10. If I had a Cohen-Tucker Research Fellowship in the past, can I apply for the Dissertation Completion Fellowship?

11. If I applied for a fellowship and did not get it, can I apply again?


 

I am a US citizen but in a PhD program in Canada?  Can I apply?

As of 2019, YES. The fellowship is open to students at US and Canadian universities who are US citizens or permanent residents .

I am a student at a US university but not US citizen?  Can I apply?

No. Because the fellowship is only open to citizens or permanent residents of the US, you are not eligible.

I would like to conduct some of my research in Kazakhstan.  Can I apply?

Yes, you may apply to conduct secondary research in a former Soviet republic, outside of Russia, if your research proposal is within the scope of 19th - early 21st centruy Russian historical studies.  But the majority of the research trip must take place in the Russian Federation.

My dissertation is in Russian literature. Can I apply?

Yes. Students in any discipline may apply as long as the dissertation research proposal is within the scope of 19th - early 21st century Russian historical studies. 

My dissertation topic is on early 19th century Russian history. Can I apply?

Yes. Any proposal within the scope of 19th - early 21st centruy Russian historical studies is eligible. 

What kind of Russian visa am I expected to obtain?

While it is your responsibility to figure out and obtain the right Russian visa, you should probably obtain a multi-entry Humanitarian visa for scientific-technical purposes (180 day maximum stay at one time) or a student visa, whichever is more appropriate for you, keeping in mind that to maintain a student visa you have to be registered at a Russian university and attend classes. You definitely cannot use a tourist or business visa. Please read our post on Russian visas for researchers. For more information on Russian visas, check the Russian consulate's website.  We recognize that the Russian visa question is somewhat in flux at the moment. We are aware of the issues and challenges and will try to provide some assistance, but ultimately it is your responsibility to abide by the Russian visa laws.

If I receive a Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship for my research proposal, can I keep both fellowships and conduct my research in Russia longer? 

No, You may not hold a grant from another organization to conduct the same or similar research project at the same time as you hold the CTDRF.  You may apply for competing grants; however if offered another grant as well as the CTDRF, you must choose between them. 

I am a native speaker of Russian, do I still need to submit a letter from a language evaluator?

Yes, please have Russian language instructor at your university evaluate your Russian and submit a letter of reference.

When is the deadline for referees to submit the reference letters?

Usually 7 days after the application deadline. Check the main program webpage. As soon as you submit your application, the referees, including the language evaluator, will receive an automated instruction on how to submit their letters.  However we suggest that you notify them now of this deadline so that they can prepare the letters in a timely manner.

 If I had a Cohen-Tucker Research Fellowship in the past, can I apply for the Cohen-Tucker Dissertation Completion Fellowship?

Yes, you may apply for the Dissertation Completion Fellowship, but you will not receive any preferential treatment for having held the Research Fellowship.

If I applied for a fellowship and did not get it, can I apply again?

Yes, you can apply for either fellowship up to two times.

We will add more questions as they arise.