The National Council for Eurasian and East European Research (NCEEER) invites proposals for its National Research Competition. This competition provides funds for both collaborative and individual research projects in the humanities and social sciences in or on any country of Eurasia or Eastern Europe. All scholars on collaborative or individual projects must be US citizens and PhD holders. In addition, applicants must have completed any previous NCEEER grants received before they may apply for a new grant.

Research Contracts support collaborative projects involving multiple scholars who are US citizens and PhD holders, with a maximum award of $40,000. Research Grants support research projects conducted by individual US citizens, with a maximum award of $20,000. Contracts provide funding to scholars or researchers via institutional awards, while Grants are awarded directly to the scholar or researcher. Accordingly, Contracts and Grants involve different application forms and guidelines, which can be found in the Apply section of this website.

*Contingent on availability of funds

• Countries Eligible for Research
• Research Activity
• Summer Salary Support
• Administrative Fees
• Submission of Applications
• Application Components
• Deadlines
• Funding

Research activity supported by a Contract or Grant may begin as early as March 1, 2019. Scholars and researchers should schedule their research activities so as to complete and submit all project requirements to NCEEER by September 30, 2020. NCEEER maintains right of first refusal for publication in the journal Problems of Post-Communism for working papers that are produced as part of NCEEER grants.

Funding for summer salary support is ordinarily not fundable by NCEEER. Research support funding is primarily to be devoted to necessary travel and research expenses. While regular salary support will be considered, summer salary support will be considered as the lowest priority for funding. Any exception concerning summer salary support will need to have clear and detailed specification of its necessity for completion of the proposed project.

Please note that NCEEER charges a 7% administrative fee for the management of grants negotiated directly between NCEEER and a successful grant applicant. If you wish to have your university administer your grant, please be advised that they are allowed to charge up to 10% of your grant for administrative costs. They could charge less. As such, applicants should check with their universities to see what the indirect charge is likely to be for your application. Applicants engaged in collaborative projects should work only through their universities. Those applicants engaged in individual research have the option of working with NCEEER directly. Please contact the NCEEER staff if you have questions.

Before beginning the application process, please thoroughly read either the Contract application guidelines or the Grant application guidelines, depending on for which one you are applying.  All application materials can be found in the "Apply" section of this website.

You have three options to submit your proposal (all applications will be given equal weight, regardless of submission method):

1. Apply online by visiting the "Apply" section and following the instructions.

2. E-mail the application form and associated files as a single zipped attachment (.zip file) to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Indicate "NRC Application: [your last name]" in the subject line.

3. Mail your documents via the Postal Service to the address at the bottom of this page.

The application forms can be downloaded by visiting the "Apply" section of this website.  All applications must include the following items:

NRC Contract

1. Application form – if applying by e-mail or mail, download the relevant application forms from the NCEEER website (from the home page, click Apply/Application Forms)
2. A project proposal of no more than ten pages (double-spaced, 12-point font) describing the nature of the research to be conducted, including its relevance to contemporary concerns of U.S. policy-makers responsible for the formation of implementation of U.S. foreign policy toward one or more countries of the region
3. An estimated budget
4. A current Curriculum Vitae (CV), organized in chronological order and no longer than four pages
5. A transmittal letter from the institution that will be submitting the Application
6. A Human Subjects Review form, if relevant to your proposal
7. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your work and your proposal. These are to be sent directly to NCEEER by the referees and must include the referee's physical or digital signature.

NRC Grant

1. Application form – if applying by e-mail or mail, download the relevant application forms from the NCEEER website (from the home page, click Apply/Application Forms)
2. A project proposal of no more than ten pages (double-spaced, 12-point font) describing the nature of the research to be conducted, including its relevance to contemporary concerns of U.S. policy-makers responsible for the formation of implementation of U.S. foreign policy toward one or more countries of the region
3. An estimated budget
4. A current Curriculum Vitae (CV), organized in chronological order and no longer than four pages
5. A Human Subjects Review form, if relevant to your proposal
6. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your work and your proposal. These are to be sent directly to NCEEER by the referees and must include the referee's physical or digital signature.

The deadline for applications and all supporting materials is December 31, 2018. Documents sent through the Postal Service must be received by this date.

The Board of Directors will review and evaluate the proposals. NCEEER will notify you regarding the status of funding for your proposal on or before March 1, 2019. NCEEER will not elaborate on the reasons given for the rejection of proposals.

NCEEER's National Research Competition is made possible by federal funds under the Program of Research and Training for Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII), which is administered by the Department of State. Accordingly, Grants and Contracts are subject to Federal laws and regulations, including OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, A-122, A-128, and A-133. Grants are also subject to the availability of funds.