Deadline:
March 31, 2025
Program Starts: October 01, 2025
Program Ends: December 31, 2025
Location(s)
United States of America
Overview
BAFF provides fellowships for professors and academic researchers to conduct independent or collaborative research projects in the U.S. for up to 12 months.
Details
The Research Scholar Program fosters the exchange of ideas between the Baltic states and the U.S. and stimulates international collaboration and research efforts. It promotes mutual enrichment, further strengthening ties between the nations and providing invaluable career and personal development opportunities for participants to leverage in their leadership roles upon return to their home countries and institutions.
BAFF provides up to $60,000 to cover project-related costs and living expenses for your entire stay.
- Have you ever been invited to or thought about being a Visiting Research Fellow in the U.S. but were unable to because of funding limitations?
- Do you need access to cutting-edge research facilities or equipment not available at your home institution?
- Are there advanced research methodologies in the U.S. that your research and home institution can benefit from?
READ CAREFULLY!
Upon completion of the BAFF program, scholarship recipients are required to return to, and to reside in, their country of permanent residency for a minimum of two years, and are not permitted to stay or attempt to stay in the U.S. or any other foreign country, including to work, pursue work, or study.
Short-term visits, up to a maximum of 14 days, to foreign countries for the primary purpose of tourism or short-term business are allowed. Visits longer than 14 days must be reported to BAFF local representatives before the start of the visit.
The total length of visits of both types cannot exceed 90 days per calendar year.
The residency requirement constitutes a moral obligation that relates to the foundational aim of BAFF to promote business and social development in the Baltic states through investment in human capital. Applicants must agree to uphold the two-year residency requirement as a precondition for applying. If participants do not meet this requirement, the entire scholarship award becomes a debt owed to BAFF and the participant is required to refund all scholarship monies as well as any and all collection expenses, including, but not limited to, legal expenses. Because the residency requirement is at the foundational aim of BAFF, the Foundation and its designees are under no obligation to consider deferment of this requirement.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Senior academic and research professionals are encouraged to apply. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. degree, or have significant relevant professional experience. Applicants must design and develop their own projects.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Applicants to the Research Scholar Program must:
- Hold a passport from Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania
- Not have immediate family members that are BAFF employees, BAFF Advisory Board, or Board of Directors members
- Agree to return to your home country for a minimum of two years immediately post-scholarship
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCES
The Research Scholar Program fosters the exchange of ideas between the Baltic states and the U.S. and stimulates international collaboration and research efforts. It promotes mutual enrichment, further strengthening ties between the nations and providing invaluable career and personal development opportunities for participants to leverage in their leadership roles upon return to their home countries and institutions.
Applicants will be selected based on but not limited to the following criteria:
- Hold senior academic or research positions
- Have demonstrated a track record of achievement
- Proposed project likely will impact their home country or home institution upon completion
- Professional objectives match the values and mission of BAFF
- Able to serve as a cultural ambassador to the U.S.
The BAFF Research Scholar project proposal will be evaluated in terms of:
- Validity as a scholarly undertaking
- Feasibility (For example, can the project be completed in one year? Is the candidate’s formal training adequate for the project?)
- Potential impact and benefit of home institution or Baltic states upon completion.
Dates
Deadline: March 31, 2025
Program starts:
October 01, 2025
Program ends:
December 31, 2025
Program Starts: October 01, 2025
Program Ends: December 31, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
FUNDING
The maximum Research Scholar fellowship award is $60,000. Awards are determined based on established guidelines and will depend on the length, location, and nature of the individual project.
Awards are intended to cover:
- Participant round-trip airfare
- Emergency health insurance for the entire stay in the U.S.
- J-1 visa sponsorship
Monthly stipend to cover:
- Accommodation
- Personal expenses
- Local transportation
- Family allowance, if applicable
- Approved U.S. conference attendance
Additional Benefits:
- 24/7 emergency support
- Personalized support
- No fees whatsoever
Awards DO NOT cover:
- Family round-trip airfare
- Significant dependent expenses
- Leisure travel in the U.S.
- Personal shopping or gifts
- Hardware or equipment purchases (computers, laptops, printers etc.)
- Additional expenses that pertain to lifestyle preferences
Visa Services
BAFF, through CIEE, will provide J-1 Visa sponsorship to all participants and J-2 Visa sponsorship for accompanying family members.
Family Allowance
While similar fellowship programs do not provide funding to bring a spouse and/or children, BAFF understands the importance of Research Scholars being able to bring along their families. That’s why BAFF provides visa sponsorship and a family allowance to support accompanying family members. This extra allowance makes it possible for BAFF Research Scholars to secure larger accommodations and cover increased grocery expenses.
Participants who bring family are able to share their experience and cultural immersion with their loved ones. Children may be able to attend school, learn English, participate in sports, and make friends.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
