The IUFU Invisible Graduate School (IGS), launched in Fall 2024, is an academic program for advanced students who have already been involved in IUFU activities and would like to develop their research further. It is designed for students holding Ukrainian citizenship whose academic trajectories have been affected by the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. IGS offers an intellectually supportive environment for research development. This unique program of IGS aims to foster individual academic growth and the spirit of cooperation and solidarity—a collective effort to navigate the intellectual challenges facing Ukraine and the world.
IGS members participate in research seminars focusing on themes related to the broader humanities and social sciences. They are expected to work on a research-based academic publication or project and finalize it promptly. Students will also keep a personal research diary throughout the semester, which will be a tool for IGS organizers to provide feedback on students’ work. Invisible Graduate School offers personalized support while fostering collaborative engagement to strengthen the IUFU academic community. Upon receiving admittance, students will be expected to actively contribute to the growth of the IUFU main program by mentoring students in courses, promoting IUFU initiatives within their home institutions, organizing reading and working groups, or facilitating student-led academic workshops, etc.
The second semester of IGS introduces an opportunity for a limited number of new fellows to join in addition to the previous cohort (those admitted in October 2024 do not have to reapply). Students of IGS can also attend regular IUFU courses of their choice (and in this case they have to file an online application form to be able to earn credits but they can upload their accepted IGS application package once again) as well as the two advanced special courses organized mainly for IUFU IGS.
The IGS program participants receive support through:
- Research Scholarships: Competitive scholarships of up to 1200 EUR per semester. Students who get international scholarships outside of Ukraine can also apply for IGS membership without an IUFU stipend.
- Flexible Formats: Options include one-on-one mentoring, small-group thematic consultations, research seminars, advanced methods training, master classes, academic writing workshops, and CV/cover letter preparation.
- Publication Support: Assistance with conceptualizing topics, writing and editing texts, peer-reviewing, and identifying suitable publishing venues.
- Collective Initiatives: Opportunities to create research teams, organize workshops, and co-organize IUFU on-site Schools with guidance from IUFU faculty and organizers.
To be eligible for IGS, applicants must:
- Be doctoral students currently enrolled in a Ukrainian or foreign educational institution. In exceptional cases, last-year MA students or MA graduates with proven experience in conducting independent research and plans to pursue doctoral studies may apply.
- Hold Ukrainian citizenship.
- Have completed at least one semester in the IUFU program and successfully passed at least one course.
The Invisible Graduate School is generously funded by the Elemer Hantos Award, received by IUFU in Fall 2024.
Applicants should complete the online application form at https://forms.gle/V4XamCTR8mQyamFn8 and also send the application package in a combined PDF file to iufu@ceu.edu with the subject “IUFU Graduate Application.” Applications should be submitted in English by 23 February 2024, 12 AM (midnight) CET. Applications will be evaluated based on their feasibility, originality, familiarity with possible sources and methodologies, and the conceptual clarity of the project description.
The application package should include:
- A short CV, including 1) Name in Ukrainian and in English as they appear in the applicant’s international passport, 2) E-mail address, 3) Current location, 4) Previous education, current university, student status, and program of study, 5) Involvement in civil activities/volunteering, 6) List of publications.
- A short motivation letter (up to 1 page) including 1) a reason for applying to the Invisible Graduate School; 2) a description of the applicant’s thematic interests (e.g., research topic or thesis topic).
- A research project proposal (up to 1,500 words) including 1) a title, 2) a thematic outline, 3) an overview of empirical data or sources, 4) the planned timeline, and 5) a specified project outcome. This project can be a part of the applicant’s regular PhD project or written specifically for the Graduate School and there is no requirement that the proposal is connected to the two advanced courses of IGS.
- An English writing sample (3,000–10,000 words)—a term paper, an essay, or another piece of academic writing.
With questions about the application, please turn to the IUFU IGS student coordinator: Nataliia Shuliakova, shuliakovan@ceu.edu