Call for Applications for the Vitali Silitski Fellowship

The Center for New Ideas is opening applications for the Vitali Silitski Fellowship, a two-month fellowship programme for Belarusian researchers who want to carry out their own analytical project and work with ideas that continue and develop the intellectual legacy of the outstanding Belarusian political scientist Vitali Silitski. Research topics may cover a wide range of socio-political issues that shape the future of Belarus.

The Vitali Silitski Fellowship combines education, research and experience of working in a think tank team in order to strengthen the potential of a new generation of experts working with political, social and economic data on Belarus.

As part of the fellowship, the online Future Ideas School will first take place: lectures and discussions with international experts from European universities and think tanks. Speakers will include James Nixey, Michael McFaul, Hilary Briffa and experts from the Center for New Ideas. Participants will then work offline, with mentoring support, to further develop their ideas and present them at a final pitch session before a jury. After the pitch session, up to five winners will be selected; they will receive a fellowship of up to EUR 2,000 gross and an internship at CNI.

To take part in the Vitali Silitski Fellowship, applicants must submit a short pitch of a research idea, describing the key research questions and methods. The proposed topic should develop or logically continue Vitali Silitski’s work. The application must also include a CV in English, a list of the applicant’s most important publications and a motivation letter.

Application deadline: 10 March 2026, 23:59 Minsk time. You can apply here. The detailed programme and other information about participation in the fellowship are available on the website.

The fellowship programme is implemented within a project funded by the European Union.