Vabamu, Stanford University Libraries, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia invite applications for the following three fellowships: The Short-Term Research Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Scholars, The Short-Term Research Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Security and Foreign Policy Experts, and The Global Digital Governance Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Scholars.

Applications to these three separate fellowships are accepted through May 19, 2025. Eligibility requirements and applications listed below.

Short-Term Research Fellowships at Stanford University for Estonian Scholars

The 6-8-week fellowship enables Estonian researchers, especially early- to mid-career scholars, to make use of Stanford’s strong collections, academic knowledge, and networks related to the study of the history, society, and politics of Estonia and the Baltic region.

TIME PERIOD: 6-8 weeks, 2026
GRANT: €15,000

The fellowship is hosted by Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREEES), Stanford University’s hub for the interdisciplinary study of the region, and supported by Stanford Libraries, which is home to one of the strongest Baltic collections in the U.S. and a vibrant program of events and projects led by Curator for Estonian and Baltic Studies. In partnership with SUL, CREEES will organize at least one lecture or seminar by the fellow during the fellowship and will include them in the center’s activities, events, and networks. The fellow will also have access to Hoover Institution Library and Archives, which include one of the strongest Baltic archival collections outside the Baltic region, and enjoy the opportunity to engage in the scholarly and research activities of Stanford University.

The goal of the fellowships is to enable Estonian scholars to visit Stanford in order to:
1) Carry out research by making use of the library and archival collections at Stanford;
2) Deliver at least one seminar or lecture (hosted by CREEES and SUL) related to one’s research topic(s) to Stanford faculty, staff, and students;
3) Engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University.

ELIGIBILITY:

*We welcome proposals related to the study of history, society, and politics (political/international studies, diplomacy, etc.) of Estonia and the Baltic region.
*The fellowship is open to all scholars with a doctoral degree, proposals by early- to mid-career scholars (scholars who have earned their doctoral degree 5–15 years ago) are especially encouraged.
*Applicants must be citizens of Estonia.
*The grant is to be used for such purposes as the costs for travel, lodging, food, and other expenses associated with the recipient’s research trip.
*The grant is to be used to travel to the U.S. in 2026.

---

The Short-Term Research Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Security and Foreign Policy Experts

The 8-12-week fellowship enables Estonian diplomats, academics, or civil servants who are experts in security, foreign policy, and international relations to make use of Stanford’s strong collections, academic knowledge, and networks related to the study of the diplomacy, foreign policy, security, and politics of Estonia and the Baltic region.

TIME PERIOD: 8-12 weeks, 2026
GRANT: €20,000

The fellowship is hosted by Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREEES), Stanford University’s hub for the interdisciplinary study of the region, and supported by Stanford Libraries, which is home to one of the strongest Baltic collections in the U.S. and a vibrant program of events and projects led by Curator for Estonian and Baltic Studies. In partnership with SUL, CREEES will organize at least one lecture or seminar by the fellow during the fellowship and will include them in the center’s activities, events, and networks. The fellow will also have access to Hoover Institution Library and Archives, which include one of the strongest Baltic archival collections outside the Baltic region, and enjoy the opportunity to engage in the scholarly and research activities of Stanford University.

The goal of the fellowships is to enable Estonian scholars to visit Stanford in order to:
1) Carry out research by making use of the library and archival collections at Stanford;
2) Deliver at least one seminar or lecture (hosted by CREEES and SUL) related to one’s research topic(s) to Stanford faculty, staff, and students;
3) Engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University.

ELIGIBILITY:

*We welcome proposals related to the study of the diplomacy, foreign policy, security, and politics of Estonia and the Baltic region.
*The fellowship is open to all scholars, diplomats, and civil servants with a doctoral degree.
*Applicants must be citizens of Estonia.
*The grant is to be used for such purposes as the costs for travel, lodging, food, and other relevant expenses associated with the recipient’s research trip.
*The grant is to be used to travel to the U.S. in 2026.

---

The Global Digital Governance Fellowship at Stanford University for Estonian Scholars

The 2-6-month fellowship enables Estonian researchers, especially early- to mid-career scholars, to visit Stanford University and make use of its academic knowledge, networks, and collections related to the study of information and communications technology (ICT), digital society and economy, cyber security, smart governance, and technology and trust. The fellowship also aims at enhancing Estonian scholars’ ability to share their knowledge of and experience in issues related to cyber security, e-governance, and trust and technology with the research community at one of the top universities in the world and other relevant entities in Silicon Valley, thus contributing to a better understanding of these topics on a global level and helping to shape local, state, and federal policy in the USA to make more effective use of digital technology to benefit citizens.

TIME PERIOD: 2-6 months, 2026
GRANT: Up to $50,000

The fellowship is hosted by the Stanford Program on Geopolitics, Technology and Governance(GTG), which is situated in the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) at the Freeman-Spogli Institute. GTG will organize at least one lecture or seminar by the fellow during the fellowship and will include them in GTG’s activities, events, and networks. The fellowship is co-sponsored by Stanford Libraries, which is home to one of the strongest Baltic collections in the U.S. and a vibrant program of events and projects led by Curator for Estonian and Baltic Studies. The fellow will also have the opportunity to engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University, including the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, Department of Electrical Engineering, and Department of Computer Science, among others.

The goal of the fellowship is to enable Estonian scholars to visit Stanford in order to:

• Carry out research by making use of the library collections and academic knowledge at Stanford. During the fellowship, the fellow should produce an academic article/book chapter suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal/volume or a policy-oriented white paper published by the Program on Geopolitics, Technology, and Governance (GTG) or other relevant outlet.
• Deliver seminars or lectures related to their research topic(s) to Stanford faculty, staff, and students. These would include public talks and seminars organized by GTG; lectures and seminars to Stanford students who have been selected to hold internships with organizations and institutions in the Baltic region; and guest lectures as part of relevant courses by Stanford faculty.
• Engage in the scholarly and research activities and rich intellectual life of Stanford University.

ELIGIBILITY:

• Proposals related to the study of information and communications technology (ICT), digital society and economy, cyber security, smart governance, and technology and trust in Estonia and the Baltic region are welcomed. Proposals relating to technology and its intersections with international economic and security affairs are especially welcome.
• The fellowship is open to all scholars and civil servants/experts with a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must be citizens of Estonia.
• The grant is to be used for such purposes as the costs for travel, lodging, food, and other relevant expenses associated with the recipient’s research trip.
• The grant is to be used to travel to the U.S. in 2026.

---

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ALL THREE FELLOWSHIPS:

*In order to apply, fill in and submit this application form.
*The application must include a proposal packet (single Word/PDF file), which must consist of the following parts:
1. Fellowship proposal (2-3 pages) outlining the nature and goals of the research project/activities, including Stanford collections, researchers, and institutes/programs of interest. The proposal should also include a title and short abstract for a presentation the applicant wishes to deliver at Stanford (1-2 paragraphs);
2. Budget and timeline
3. Applicant’s curriculum vitae

The grants will be awarded competitively, based on applications submitted. The applications will be evaluated based on their possible contribution to their respective academic field as well as to the academic network of Stanford University, the scholarly potential of the applicant, and the application’s feasibility. Rejected applications cannot be appealed, but scholars may resubmit applications in subsequent years.

Award notification will be made in July 2025.

Questions? Please send an email to Liisi Esse, liisi.esse@stanford.edu or Kadri Paju, kadri.paju@vabamu.ee