Academic Freedom

Russian Independent Media Archive (RIMA) Doctoral Virtual Fellowships

The Russian Independent Media Archive (RIMA) is excited to announce an opportunity for established scholars and graduate students who are committed to the preservation of media free from the constraint of the Russian State.

Designed for MA and doctoral students, the Doctoral Virtual Fellowship provides five $3,500 stipends for graduate students who incorporate RIMA into their theses. Fellows will have access to RIMA’s extensive resources and expert guidance from Bard College and PEN America to support their research on independent Russian journalism and its historical significance.

Launched in 2023, RIMA’s digital archive currently includes 98 media outlets and millions of documents from the year 2000 onward, guarding this irreplaceable historical record against erasure, as independent media outlets not aligned with the regime of President Vladimir Putin are shuttered and their reporters and editors are cast into exile. A joint Project of PEN America and Bard College, the archive makes journalism of this pivotal period accessible to the reporters, historians, political scientists and other researchers who will make sense of Russia’s past and whose work counters propaganda-driven manipulation of the historical narrative.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Enrollment in an accredited MA or doctoral program.
• A demonstrated commitment to incorporating RIMA into your research or thesis.
• A strong academic record and research proposal.
• Interest in the preservation of independent media and human rights.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with Bard and PEN America teams.
• Willingness to participate in RIMA-related events and discussions.
• Commitment to promoting the values of RIMA in academic and public spheres.
• Ability to receive the funds following all local and U.S. laws.

Preference will be given to proposals that incorporate RIMA into their courses on a regular basis, ensuring its continued use in teaching for years to come.

Applications are being accepted in both English and Russian. Review of applications will take place on a rolling basis with priority given to submissions made prior to October 28th, 2024. Notification of awards will be made on or before December 1st, 2024.

Deadline to apply is Monday, October 28

Apply here

---

Cross Reference: Application, Fellowship,Opportunities,Academic Freedom