Alfa Fellowship Program: Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the Alfa Fellowship Program. If you have any general questions after reading through this list, please read the CDS General FAQs.
- The program information materials indicate that interviews take place in February and orientation takes place in April. What is the specific timeline for the 2008-09 program?
- When is the application deadline?
- What is the duration of the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- Why is Alfa-Bank sponsoring the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- Will the Alfa Fellowship Program sponsor academic research in Russia?
- What are the citizenship requirements?
- What are the age requirements for the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- What are the language requirements for the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- What kind of candidates is the Alfa Fellowship Program looking for?
- How competitive is the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- What do I need to send CDS in order to apply for the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- What should the personal statement include?
- Who should write the letters of recommendation?
- Is there a recommendation form or specific format for letters of recommendation?
- Can the letter of recommendation be sent by fax or copy?
- May transcripts and/or letters of recommendation be sent directly to CDS?
- Can more than two letters of recommendation be included in an application?
- Does the application form need to be completed even if some of the information is in my resume?
- When are the decisions made on finalists for the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- Who are the selection committee members?
- What are the pre-selection and selection criteria, and how are selections made?
- How is the professional assignment arranged?
- May I work at another job during the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- May I bring my spouse and/or child? Can my spouse work in Russia while I am on the Alfa Fellowship Program?
- Does the Fellowship Program cover health insurance or other types of insurance?
- Is my Fellowship stipend considered taxable income?
- What does it mean in the program materials that the professional assignment starts in September or October?
For the 2008-09 program year, interviews are scheduled for January 31- February 1, 2008. The Washington, DC Orientation Seminar is scheduled for mid- to late- April 2008. These dates are subject to change. US-based language training takes place from March through May 2008 and does not require Fellows to relocate. Most Fellows requiring language training in the US will work with a local tutor two or three days a week. The US-based language training is specifically designed to allow Fellows to continue working or to finish an academic degree during this time. Fellows will relocate to Russia in June 2008.
When is the application deadline?
CDS International must receive applications for the Alfa Fellowship Program no later than December 15, 2007. All application materials, including transcripts and recommendations must be received by the application deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. CDS International encourages candidates to submit applications as early as possible.
What is the duration of the Alfa Fellowship Program?
US-based language training (if applicable): March through May 2008
Moscow-based language training: June through September 2008
Moscow Seminar Program: early October, 2008
Fellowship Professional Assignments: October 2008 through April 2009
Why is Alfa-Bank sponsoring the Alfa Fellowship Program?
The key goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program are expanding networks of American and Russian professionals, developing greater intercultural understanding and advancing US/Russia relations. By sponsoring the Alfa Fellowship Program, Alfa-Bank is demonstrating its commitment to fostering a new generation of American and Russian leaders with the expertise that is required for greater understanding and the sustainable improvement of important ties between the US 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, organizations, and institutions. 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 US citizens. Permanent residents and citizens of countries other than the US 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 that will become the leaders in their fields in the future.
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, they will need to 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 detailing other languages in which they are proficient and where and when those language skills were acquired.
What kind of candidates is the Alfa Fellowship Program looking for?
Candidates should ideally have a master's degree or higher 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 an advanced degree may still be qualified for the Alfa Fellowship Program with additional or equivalent professional experience.
How competitive is the Alfa Fellowship Program?
The Alfa Fellowship Program is very competitive, similar to being accepted at a top US 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. Candidates selected to be interviewed should try to convince the selection committee why they should be on the Alfa Fellowship Program in their application, how they expect it will benefit their career growth, and what they have to offer through their participation.
What do I need to send CDS in order to apply for the Alfa Fellowship Program?
A completed, signed application form, resume, official transcripts, a personal statement (two pages maximum), a sample of writing in Russian on a topic of your choice (one page maximum), two letters of recommendation (one from professional experience).
What should the personal statement include?
Very specific information on your background, experience, future career goals, and interest in Russia. The personal statement should also include the benefits you would expect from participating on the Alfa Fellowship Program and detailed proposals for institutions in Russia were you would like to gain professional experience.
Who should write the letters of recommendation?
Anyone who has worked closely with you in the recent past. At least one letter of recommendation should be from someone who can attest to your professional experience, such as a current or former employer. The second letter may be from either a professor or someone else in your professional background. The letters should be from people who can attest to your professional and academic experience. 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 the letter of recommendation be sent by fax or email?
No, recommendations must be sealed with original signature only. No emails, scanned copies or faxes will be accepted.
May transcripts and/or letters of recommendation be sent directly to CDS?
Yes, transcripts and/or letters of recommendation may be sent directly to CDS:
| CDS International, Inc. ATTN: Alfa Fellowship Program 871 United Nations Plaza, 15th Floor New York, NY 10017-1814 |
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?
Candidates selected for interviews will be notified by January 2008. A pre-selection is conducted following the application deadline, and selected candidates will be invited to New York City for interviews. Fellows will be notified of their awards as soon as possible following the New York selection interviews.
Who are the selection committee members?
Candidates invited to selection interviews in New York will receive a list of committee members prior to the interviews. Generally, both Americans and Russians in the fields targeted by the Alfa Fellowship Program will be on the selection committee. In addition, a language assessment by a teacher of Russian 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 Center for International Fellowships in Moscow, which is partnered with CDS International 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 candidate's organization 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 Center for International Fellowships.
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.
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. They 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.
The starting date of the professional assignment phase of the Alfa Fellowship Program is determined on an individual basis as a result of Russian language acquisition. More fluent Fellows may have the opportunity to start professional assignments early at the discretion of the Alfa Fellowship Program administration. Most Fellows will continue with their intensive Russian language course in Moscow though the beginning of October when the Moscow Seminar Program will begin.
