Alfa Fellowship Program
The Alfa Fellowship Program is a distinguished professional development program placing accomplished young professionals in work assignments at leading organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, public policy and related areas.
The program accepts up to 15 American and British citizens per year. The program includes intensive Russian language training, seminar programs, and extended professional experience. Fellows receive travel, free housing, a monthly stipend, and health insurance.
The Alfa Fellowship Program aims to expand networks of American, British and Russian professionals, develop greater intercultural understanding, and advance U.S.-Russian and U.K.-Russian relations.
Program Benefits
Drawing upon extensive contacts throughout industry, media, government, and nonprofit institutions in Russia, the Alfa Fellowship Program works together with participants to identify suitable work placements at leading institutions in Russia in business, media, and the nonprofit sector.
The Alfa Fellowship Program endeavors to secure positions that meet the interests of both the participants and host institutions. Fellows’ progress is closely monitored by the Fund for International Fellowships and Cultural Dialogue in Moscow.
In addition to individualized professional assignments, the Alfa Fellowship Program includes:
- Four-month Russian language tutoring program in the U.S. or U.K.
- Four-month Russian language course in Moscow
- Orientation seminar in Washington, D.C., with accommodation and roundtrip travel
- Housing in Moscow for the duration of the program
- Monthly stipend
- Limited international health, accident, and liability insurance
- Moscow seminar program
- Three regional excursions throughout Russia and one to a neighboring country
Eligibility
Candidates for the Alfa Fellowship Program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- U.S. or U.K. citizen
- 25–35 years old at the application deadline
- Russian proficiency is preferred; qualified candidates with fluency in a second language may be considered
- Graduate-level degree or equivalent training in business, economics, journalism, law, and/or public policy
- At least two years of relevant work experience; candidates without graduate degrees must demonstrate extensive and equivalent professional experience in their field, approximately six years, in order to qualify for the Alfa Fellowship Program.
Application Deadline
December 1, 2012 for the 2013-2014 program year.
For more information, please contact: alfa@culturalvistas.org.
OJSC Alfa-Bank is incorporated, focused and based in Russia, and is not affiliated with U.S.-based Alfa Insurance.
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I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity that the Alfa Fellowship has proven to be. It has turned out to be a really one-of-a-kind experience in offering young specialists the opportunity to expand their understanding of Russia and gain practical on the ground experience. I have benefited in so many ways, including in the vast improvement of my Russian language skills, expansion of my professional network, publication opportunities, and growth in my understanding of Russian policy as it pertains to my field.
Andrew Riedy
Alfa Fellow, 2011-2012
For young professionals interested in Russia, the Alfa Fellowship offers an immensely rewarding opportunity to gain a rare insight into the country. The programme is truly unique.
I think that it is a strong indication of the value of the programme that I can say it genuinely had a transformative impact on the development of my career. I spent the work experience component of the Alfa Fellowship working at the Moscow office of Barclays Capital, a major international banking franchise with its headquarters in the U.K. By the end of my [work placement], I had received an opportunity to take up a full-time position back at the head office of Barclays in London.
James Marsh
Alfa Fellow, 2010-11