The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) are pleased to announce a second round of the Virtual Scholar in Residence Program. Previous program has successfully supported 15 scholars from Ukraine who worked on research together with their UMass peers.

The Program provides a mechanism for Ukrainian scholars to collaborate with research centers and faculty at UMass Amherst on scholarly topics of mutual interest. Collaborations with those based in the Isenberg School of Management are the priority. The accepted scholars will be affiliated with the Kyiv School of Economics for the duration of the program.

Participants of the first round are encouraged to apply to ensure sustainability of the projects which were supported by the UMass funding.

While preference will be given to scholars currently in Ukraine, Ukrainian scholars displaced by conflict may also be considered. Applicants, whose research engages with the war, relief efforts, reconstruction, and/or envisioning a post-war Ukraine, are especially encouraged to apply. The candidate should have a terminal degree and not be currently a student.

The chosen scholars will be expected to participate in the academic life of KSE and UMass during the period of their appointment  as, for example, presenting at seminars, engaging with faculty and students in ways determined by the successful candidate and their UMass Amherst host as confirmed by the UMass Amherst Faculty Steering Committee. Scholars are expected to participate in academic life of KSE and UMass during the period of their appointment (presenting at seminars, engaging with students).

UMass Amherst will provide library affiliation and access to research databases and facilities as appropriate and allowable by federal and state laws and regulations and licensing considerations.

Each project’s duration will be 5 months.  Each Ukrainian scholar will receive $5000 through the KSE Foundation and will be paid in several instalments during the program.

Applicants should submit the following two items, as a single pdf in English, by email to [email protected] and fill in this form:

• Short Curriculum Vita (1 page maximum)

• Statement (1 page maximum) that describes the candidate’s scholarly project, potential affiliation at UMA (list below), and need.

After a first-round evaluation by KSE, the applications will be forwarded to UMass Amherst. Placement and matches for scholars nominated by KSE will be determined by the Faculty Steering Committee at UMass Amherst. UMass Amherst reserves the sole discretion to accept a nomination of a scholar for the Program.

It is anticipated that 8 scholars will be selected in the first round.

Timeline:

• April 25, 2024 — Applications open

• May 1, 2024 — Applications close

• May 30, 2024 — Scholars are notified of their acceptance into the program

• July 15, 2024 — Projects commence

• January 15, 2025 — Projects end – short report due

Collaborations may continue between the successful candidate and UMass Amherst host after this period by mutual agreement, although any additional resources will have to be negotiated separately.

The following centers/departments have expressed special interest in hosting Virtual Scholars in the first round. The list below is not exhaustive and affiliations with other centers/departments may be possible.

Isenberg School of Management:

• Virtual Center for Supernetworks

• Finance Department

• Hospitality and Tourism Management Department

• Management Department

• Marketing Department

• Operations and Information Management Department

• Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship

Apply by 1 May 2024!