Award Description, Selection Criteria and Process
The purpose of the Russian Study Award is to provide students who have seriously pursued the study of Russian with an opportunity to develop their language skills in the Russian speaking world. The Award is intended to enable Grinnell College students to pursue a study program or a project of their own design after graduation. The study program or project must be initiated within the year following graduation.
Projects, which have the effect of developing Russian language skills, are favored and these may include: structured study programs (such as an ACTR semester), volunteerships, or internships, which have cultural, political or social value. The award is not intended for students engaged in profit-making activities. Projects that immerse the student in the Russian language are preferred. See the the John Mohan Russian Study Award Winners link for examples of the many types of creative projects that have been funded in the past.
Students who apply for this Award should have pursued the study of Russian in a serious way. Usually that means that at least two years of college-level Russian have been completed. The Russian department can furnish interested students with application forms as well as advising assistance. Most years, applications are due by March 1st, although the contact person in the Russian Department may change that date. Awards are generally announced by April 30th.
This award is need-based, and designed to provide opportunities for contact with the cultures in the Russian speaking world. Students who have not had the opportunity previously to study in the region are favored, although recipients in the past who have already been to the region have proposed interesting projects that have been funded.
Completed applications should be submitted to the Chair of the Russian Department. S/he will consult with the other members of the department and add departmental comments to the applications. All applications with departmental comments are distributed to a review committee that consists of a member of the Russian Department designated by the Chair, and alumnae founders of the Award.
The Award is drawn from funds raised by three devoted friends of the Russian Department: Diane Fisher Perkinson '82, Sharon McKee '82 and Emily Silliman '81.
