CERS awards faculty grants of up to $6,000 in support of developing new courses or course modules in any area of European and Russian Studies. Topics must cover modern or contemporary issues. Proposals that focus on the European Union and/or advance interdisciplinary or comparative perspectives are particularly welcome. Priority is given to proposals that provide research assistantship opportunities for graduate students.

Funds must be used for costs directly related to the proposed project, such as supplies or GSR salaries. Note that payments to graduate students must not trigger tuition fee remission. Funds may not be used for faculty salaries, teaching buy-outs, or summer ninths.

Submit short CV (maximum 3 pages), course description and course or module development plan (maximum 4 pages), itemized budget, and departmental statement of support specifying intent of future course listing. If applicable, proposal should specify GSR duties and percentage of time employed.

Application materials should be combined into a single PDF file and sent to CERS Executive Director Liana Grancea.

Deadlines

• January 31, 2025 – for Spring and Summer 2025
• June 30, 2025 – for Fall 2025 and Winter 2026

Funds will be transferred to the grant recipient’s home department and must be spent in the period for which they are awarded.

Recipients must agree to:

• Submit the new syllabus and a brief activity and expense report (1-2 pages). Reports are due at the end of the award period.
• Teach the course developed with CERS support for at least two quarters over a three-year period. Inform the Center of upcoming course listings. 

For additional information and application procedures, please contact Liana Grancea, CERS Executive Director, at lgrancea@international.ucla.edu or 310-825-8030.