Call for Applications: 2021 Cold War Archives Research (CWAR) Fellowship
Applications are now open for the 2021 CWAR Program and will be accepted until January 15, 2021. Please note that only Columbia or Barnard students are eligible to apply.
Make sure to review all the important details on the Call for Applications and Application Form before applying.
For more information about the project and to view interviews with past CWAR Fellows please visit the CWAR Program page.
As part of its Initiative on Cultural Power in International Relations, the European Institute offers the Cold War Archives Research (CWAR) Fellowship. The fellowship gives students the opportunity to conduct archival research on the cultural history of the Cold War and develop original research papers based on their findings. Topics explored by the CWAR Fellows include public and cultural diplomacy, journalistic history, and the engagement of modern Europe with other regions during the Cold War. Fellows work as a group, and are expected to demonstrate both independent thought and scholarly collaboration.
In spring 2021, the CWAR project, led by Professor Victoria Phillips, will include the following online activities:
1/ Participation in live sessions with archivists who will present their online collections and how to explore them, including a session on Latin American newspapers and resources on 22 January, and a session on February 5 with the League of Nations and United Nations archivists.
2/ Participation in a seminar week for the CWAR Fellows only, from May 3 to May 7, which will combine individual online research, one-on-one meetings with archivists, and group workshops directed by Prof. Phillips.
During the seminar week, the Fellows will meet as a group via Zoom three times a day, for about one hour each time: (1) at the start of the day to discuss their research findings and projects, (2) midday with an archivist to learn about the archive holdings and ask questions, and (3) in the afternoon to compare notes on their research progress.
The Fellows will spend the remainder of the day conducting individual research in archives of their choosing among the online collections identified by the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. They will also have opportunities to meet one-on-one with archivists.
3/ After the conclusion of the seminar week, the Fellows will work on individual research papers. They will make online presentations of their individual papers at the Annual International Student Conference of the Cold War History Research Center, Corvinus University, Budapest, on June 1 and 2.
CWAR Fellows are required to participate in the following activities:
- CWAR Fellowship award & orientation meeting (date to be confirmed);
- Seminar week from May 3 to May 7;
- Online presentations at the Annual Student Conference on June 1 and 2.
Since the Fellows and archivists will be working in global time zones, students must be willing to be flexible with their schedules during the week.
Applications must include:
- Cold War Archives Research Fellowship application form
- CV
- Transcript
- Personal statement (1-3 pages):
- Describe your current studies at Columbia and how the Cold War Archives Research Fellowship will engage with your studies and long-term career goals.
- Confirm your availability to participate in the full duration of the program.
- Briefly describe a topic, question, or project that you will pursue.
- Writing sample (may include a seminar term paper or published work)
- Optional faculty letter of recommendation
Submit completed applications by January 15th to the European Institute’s Senior Program Manager, Sharon Kim, at [email protected]. Successful applicants will be contacted by the European Institute by February 1st .
For questions regarding the archival sessions, project proposal, or personal statement, please contact Dr. Victoria Phillips, [email protected]. Note that fellows from Columbia University will be joined by fellows at the London School of Economics and West Point Military Academy.