Between Europe and the Orient

Description

1) Objective

As a consequence of the collapse of the Soviet Union, 70 million people along the southern borders of the Russian Confederation, all with different ethnic backgrounds and languages, were catapulted into independence. The funding initiative entitled “Between Europe and the Orient – A Focus on Research and Education in/on Central Asia and the Caucasus” addresses the newly emerged independent states of Central Asia and the Caucasus as well as Afghanistan and some of the immediately neighboring regions of the Russian Federation and China. The overall aim is to work closely with local scholars and scientists to develop relevant research projects and to strengthen intraregional cooperation.

In three funding lines the Volkswagen Foundation supports structurally oriented measures that can be applied for at any time:
(1) Funding line 1: Projects aimed at the reintegration of returning researchers
(2) Funding line 2: Workshops, symposia, and summer schools
(3) Funding line 3: Specific support for the creation and expansion of academic infrastructure in the region

2) Eligibility

Eligible are researchers in Central Asia and Caucasus with cooperation partners in Germany.

3) Location

The target region encompasses the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan that became independent following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In addition to these, the funding initiative also includes Afghanistan and the bordering regions of China (Xinjiang) and the Russian Federation (Tartarstan, Bashkortostan, and the North Caucasus). Neighboring countries (Turkey, Iran i.a.) may only be incorporated if their manifold relationships with the region are addressed or if they are part of a comparative research design.

4) Budget

The grant size is not mentioned.

5) Application

Applications can be submitted anytime until 20 December 2021. Please submit your application via the electronic application system of the Volkswagen Foundation. The forms provided there must be filled in with information on the applicants, institutions (grant recipient), project (title, duration, and overall costs), and budget.