EF’s U.S.-Russia Social Expertise Exchange Program Announces New Round of Project Funding for Independent Professionals

EF’s U.S. Russia Social Expertise Exchange program is now accepting applications for funding for cross-border collaborative projects that address common social challenges and result in benefits for both countries.

The SEE “Independent Professionals Project Initiative” establishes and strengthens partnerships between US and Russian experts and host organizations in their counterpart countries by means of collaborative projects that focus on one or more of SEE’s thematic areas. Competitively selected candidates travel to an organization in the host country for seven to fourteen days to conduct activities related to their proposed project.

Over the course of project implementation in the host country, participants gain new skills and expand their professional networks. Upon their return home, independent professionals strengthen professional practice in their home institutions and benefit their own communities through implementation of activities directed at relevant home country constituencies making use of insights gained abroad.  Implementation of all activities, including the realization of tangible and measurable results in the host and home countries, must take place between June 1 and September 1, 2017.

Independent Professionals are selected via an open competition process. The application and other relevant materials are available for download below. Applications for the fourth round of the Independent Professionals Project Initative are currently no longer being accepted. Applications for the fifth round of the Independent Professionals Project are being accepted through March 1, 2017 at 11:59PM EST. Click here for more information and to apply on SEE’s website.

• Social support & protection of citizens
• Protection of flora & fauna
• Promotion of animal welfare
• Promotion of philanthropy and volunteerism
• Youth development
• Public health & promotion of healthy lifestyles
• Preservation of cultural identities & language
• Adaptation of migrants
• Medical and social rehabilitation
• Promotion of economic and labor mobility