The Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center and the Slavic Reference Service at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are accepting applications for our 2025 Summer Research Laboratory (SRL) program. The SRL is an in-person program that offers comprehensive research support, access to library resources and competitive Research Awards to graduate and post-graduate scholars developing projects on all aspects of Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. It is funded by the U.S. Department of State through its Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII).

The SRL will take place on our campus from June 9 - August 1, 2025. It is open to advanced graduate students, independent scholars, and academic professionals in government and nongovernmental organizations. Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career scholars are especially encouraged to apply.

Any researcher may apply to be an SRL Associate and receive the following forms of research support:

• Reference assistance throughout the summer and beyond from the Slavic Reference Service (SRS);
• In-person access to digital and database collections of our University Library during onsite visit;
• Thematic and skill-building workshop events, as well as opportunities to present and discuss works in progress;
• Designation as a 2025 SRL Associate.

All Associates may request one-on-one personalized bibliographic sessions before and during the SRL with SRS, with priority given to graduate students and early career scholars.

Funding Opportunity: Title VIII Research Awards

U.S. Citizens conducting policy-relevant research may also apply for one of our Title VIII Research Awards. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, these awards provide:

• Dormitory accommodation on campus for up to 12 nights (room in a shared suite);
• Travel reimbursement for transportation to Champaign-Urbana, up to $800;
• A research stipend of $1250.

All Title VIII funded research must be conducted in-person at the SRL. These Research Awards are offered on a competitive basis. 

The priority application deadline for Title VIII Research Awards is February 17, 2025. The final deadline for all SRL applications, funded and unfunded, is March 17, 2025.

Title VIII Research Training Workshop: 

“The Contemporary Baltics, Eastern Europe, and the Russia-Ukraine War” (June 24-25, 2025)

Moderators: Dr. Violeta Davoliūtė (Vilnius University, Institute of International Relations and Political Science) and Dr. Dovilė Budrytė (Georgia Gwinnett College, Department of Political Science, Criminal Justice and International Studies, and Vytautas Kavolis Transdisciplinary Research Institute, Vytautas Magnus University)

As a part of the SRL, this year we will be hosting a Research Training Workshop. This workshop will focus on how scholars can understand the changes in identities and mnemonic policies of the Baltic states and countries in Eastern Europe, as they grapple with the many consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war. It will feature plenary discussions as well as research presentations. 

Applicants who are interested in joining the workshop or presenting their research should note this interest in their SRL applications.

For a full description of the research and training workshop, please visit: https://reeec.illinois.edu/courses-rees-rubric/summer-research-laboratory/events-calendar/workshop-lab-programs/contemporary

For more information on the SRL and to apply, please visit: https://reeec.illinois.edu/research/summer-research-laboratory

Please reach out to us at reeec-srl@illinois.edu  with any questions.