Alfa Fellowship Program

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline for the Alfa Fellowship Program is December 1, 2012. All application materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, must be received by this date. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. CDS International and Oxford University encourage candidates to submit applications as early as possible.

When and where do interviews take place?

For the 2012-2013 program year, selection interviews for American candidates are scheduled to take place in New York City in January 2012. Round-trip transportation and accommodations will be provided on an as-needed basis.

Selection interviews for British candidates are scheduled for the first week in February, and will take place in Oxford. Travel costs will be reimbursed, where appropriate.

What is the duration and timeline of the 2012–2013 Alfa Fellowship Program?

March through mid-June 2012	U.S.- or U.K.-based language training. (This training does not require Fellows to relocate. Fellows requiring language training prior to the program start in Russia will work with a local tutor. The language training is specifically designed to allow Fellows to continue working or finish an academic degree).
Late-April 2012	Orientation Seminar in Washington, D.C. for American and British Fellows
Mid-June through September 2012	Moscow-based language training
Mid-June through September 2012	Moscow Seminar Program
October 2012 through April 2013	Professional Assignments
April 2013	Final Evaluation/Exit Interview

What does the Alfa Fellowship Program provide?

Program provisions include: selection interviews including round-trip transportation and accommodations as needed; language training prior to the program start in Russia as required based on proficiency assessment; orientation seminar in Washington, D.C., including speakers, activities, and travel accommodations provided as needed; Russia-based language training; Moscow Seminar Program, including meetings, briefings, assignment planning, and excursions; monthly stipend during the program in Russia; free housing in Russia; limited international health, accident, and liability insurance during the program in Russia; and all program-related travel expenses.

Why is Alfa-Bank sponsoring the Alfa Fellowship Program?

The key goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program are expanding networks of American, British and Russian professionals, developing greater intercultural understanding and advancing U.S./Russian and U.K./Russian relations. By sponsoring the Alfa Fellowship Program, Alfa-Bank is demonstrating its commitment to fostering a new generation of American and British leaders with the expertise that is required for greater understanding and the sustainable improvement of important ties between the U.S., U.K., and Russia.

Will the Alfa Fellowship Program sponsor academic research in Russia?

No, the Alfa Fellowship Program is designed to benefit participants by giving them hands-on work experience in Russian enterprises and organizations. The Alfa Fellowship Program is also meant to benefit its host institutions by bringing in the knowledge, expertise, and best practices of its participants.

What are the citizenship requirements?

Candidates must be U.S. or U.K. citizens. Permanent residents and citizens of countries other than the U.S. or the U.K. are not eligible for the Alfa Fellowship Program.

What are the age requirements for the Alfa Fellowship Program?

Applicants should be between the ages of 25 and 35. Candidates a little older or younger will still be considered, but the Alfa Fellowship Program is focused on serving early to mid-career professionals who will become leaders in their fields.

What are the language requirements for the Alfa Fellowship Program?

Russian language experience is preferred, however not required at the time of application. If an applicant does not speak Russian, he/she will need to demonstrate in the personal statement a connection to Russia – be it professional or personal – and how he/she could be successful on the program with limited language skills. Additionally, the applicant must be proficient in a second language to qualify for the program. Where the Russian writing sample is required in the application, non-Russian speaking applicants should upload a statement in English detailing other languages in which they are proficient and where and when those language skills were acquired. Statements in languages other than English or Russian will not be reviewed.

Please note: if an applicant has studied Russian in any capacity, he/she must submit a writing sample in Russian.

What kind of candidates is the Alfa Fellowship Program looking for?

Candidates should ideally have a graduate degree in business, economics, journalism, law, public policy or government. In addition, candidates should have at least two years of professional experience in their respective fields. Candidates must show outstanding academic and professional credentials, demonstrate genuine interest in Russia, and actively participate in their communities. Candidates without graduate degrees must demonstrate extensive and equivalent professional experience in their field, approximately six years, in order to qualify for the Alfa Fellowship Program.

Candidates are also expected to be able to demonstrate how participating on the Alfa Fellowship Program and spending a year in Russia is relevant to their current and future career goals.

How competitive is the Alfa Fellowship Program?

The Alfa Fellowship Program is very competitive, similar to being accepted at a top U.S. or U.K. university. The selection committee will consider candidates’ full profiles. Unique experiences, specific goals and interests, and enthusiasm for new and exciting opportunities are as important as good grades and an extensive professional background. In their application, candidates should try to convince the selection committee why they should be on the Alfa Fellowship Program, how they expect it to benefit their career growth, and what they have to offer through their participation.

What do I need to submit in order to apply for the Alfa Fellowship Program?

A completed, signed application form, resume, official transcripts, a personal statement (two pages maximum), two letters of recommendation (at least one from relevant professional experience), and a language statement. For applicants with Russian language knowledge, the language statement should be a Russian writing sample (one page maximum) on a topic of their choice, regardless of their level of Russian. For applicants without prior Russian training, the language statement should be in English and should detail other languages in which they are proficient, as well as where and when those languages were acquired.

What should the personal statement include?

Very specific information on the applicant’s background, experience, career aspirations, and interest in Russia. The personal statement should include anticipated benefits of participation in the Alfa Fellowship Program for both the applicant and host institutions. It must also include thoughtful proposals for specific institutions that the applicant believes to be appropriate for his/her professional assignment.

For a complete list of past Fellows’ work placements, please visit the AFP Alumni Association website www.afpalumni.org.

Who should write the letters of recommendation?

Anyone who has worked closely with the candidate in the recent past. At least one letter of recommendation should be from someone who can attest to his/her professional experience, such as a current or former employer. The second letter may be from either a professor or someone else in the applicant’s professional background. Letters of reference should not be character references or from friends.

Is there a recommendation form or specific format for letters of recommendation?

There is no recommendation form; a standard reference letter is sufficient.

Can letters of recommendation or transcripts be sent by fax or email?

No, recommendations must be submitted in hard copy and sealed with an original signature. No copies or faxes will be accepted.

Graduate transcripts (undergraduate for applicants without graduate degrees) must also be submitted in hard copy and sealed with the university’s stamp. Official electronic transcripts sent directly from universities to alfa@cdsintl.org will also be accepted.

Should transcripts and/or letters of recommendation be sent directly to CDS or Oxford?

Yes, for American Applicants, transcripts and/or letters of recommendation should be sent directly to CDS:

CDS International, Inc.
ATTN: Alfa Fellowship Program
440 Park Avenue South, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10016
USA

For British Applicants, all transcripts and/or letters of recommendation should be sent directly to:

U.K. Alfa Fellowship Selection
Russian and Eurasian Studies
St. Antony's College
62 Woodstock Road
Oxford, OX2 6JF
England

Can more than two letters of recommendation be included in an application?

No more than two letters of recommendation will be used for consideration of a candidate’s application.

Does the application form need to be completed even if some of the information is in my resume?

Yes, in order to be considered for the Alfa Fellowship Program all application materials must be completed.

When are the decisions made on finalists for the Alfa Fellowship Program?

A pre-selection is conducted following the application deadline of December 1. Candidates selected for interviews will be notified by January. U.S. candidates will be invited to New York City for interviews and U.K. candidates will be invited to Oxford. Fellows will be notified of their awards as soon as possible following the selection interviews.

Who are the selection committee members?

Generally, Americans, British and Russians in the fields targeted by the Alfa Fellowship Program will be on the selection committee. In addition, a language assessment by a Russian language instructor will be conducted during the time of candidate selection interviews.

What are the pre-selection and selection criteria, and how are selections made?

The selection committee nominates interviewees and Fellows on a competitive basis. Nomination to the selection interviews and fellowship program are made at the discretion of the selection committee. All decisions regarding selections are final.

How is the professional assignment arranged?

The professional assignment will be arranged in Russia by the Fund for International Fellowships and Cultural Dialogue, which is partnered with CDS International and Oxford University to administer the Alfa Fellowship Program. Candidates are required to propose organizations in their application statement where they feel it would be beneficial to work. These proposals are carefully considered during the placement process; however, the Alfa Fellowship Program cannot guarantee assignments at the candidates’ organizations of choice.

The best possible assignments will be arranged for each Fellow on an individual basis considering the Fellow’s background, experience and the overall goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program. Fellows play an active role in identifying appropriate placements together with the Fund for International Fellowships and Cultural Dialogue.

May I work at another job during the Alfa Fellowship Program?

Fellows will work full time at their professional assignments and will not be permitted to take another job. If Fellows are taking a leave of absence from their current job in order to participate on the Alfa Fellowship Program, a limited exception may be made requiring the approval of the Alfa Fellowship Program administration on a case-by-case basis.

May I bring my spouse and/or child? Can my spouse work in Russia while I am on the Alfa Fellowship Program?

Spouses and children may accompany Fellows to Russia. Spouses may also accept an offer of employment in Russia. The Alfa Fellowship Program will not sponsor a spouse’s legal work status in Russia, and Fellows must inform the Program administration of any paid work their spouses are undertaking during the Program in Russia.

Does the Fellowship Program cover health insurance or other types of insurance?

The Alfa Fellowship Program will provide limited health, accident and liability insurance for Fellows during the program in Russia.

Is my Fellowship stipend considered taxable income?

Fellows will not be liable for taxes in Russia. American fellows may, however, be liable for U.S. income and other state and local taxes on their stipends depending on their place of permanent residence. It is the responsibility of Fellows to be familiar with all applicable U.S. federal and state income tax laws that apply to foreign earned income.

U.K. Fellows should also take responsibility for both familiarizing themselves and complying with British tax law. Fellows should contact the U.K. Tax Office for assistance.

OJSC Alfa-Bank is incorporated, focused and based in Russia, and is not affiliated with U.S.-based Alfa Insurance.