The Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom is pleased to announce that the Ideas for Russia Labs internship program is now open for applications. We invite students interested in contemporary Russian politics, economy, and society to join our new research teams.
About the Program
The Ideas for Russia Labs internship program was launched in 2024 and is designed for students interested in doing research on today’s Russia. Program participants have the opportunity to work remotely on research projects under the mentorship of reputable experts in the field.
The main goals of this program are to help participants to integrate into international scientific networks, gain practical research experience, and improve employment prospects and career advancement opportunities.
This program is a key component of the Ideas for Russia initiative, launched in 2022 by the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, in partnership with the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University and the Institute of International Relations in Prague. The primary aim of the initiative is to foster a community of scholars dedicated to the study of contemporary Russia.
The program’s primary languages are English and Russian.
Laboratories
This year, the program launches two new laboratory projects:
- Disentangling Russian Statisms Across Genres and Modes
Mentor: Ivan Fomin (Charles University, Prague)
- Illiberal Civil Society in Wartime Russia
Mentor: Ivan Grek (George Washington University, Washington, DC)
Each laboratory will be led by a mentor responsible for assembling a research group of up to 3 interns. These groups are formed through a competitive selection process, and each pursues its own research project.
Both laboratories will operate remotely, conducting meetings online. The anticipated meeting frequency is at least once a week. However, the exact schedule will be tailored according to the preferences and needs of the project participants.
Mentors and interns will work together to develop interns’ research competencies, expand professional networks, and strategize their career trajectories in their respective fields.
The project outcomes, determined by the laboratory mentors and interns, will be disseminated in various formats. These may include blog posts, analytical notes, or peer-reviewed scientific articles, depending on the nature and scope of the research findings.
Program organizers may extend invitations to mentors and interns to engage in conferences, seminars, and other relevant professional events, further enriching the internship experience.
In November 2026, all teams from the Ideas for Russia Labs will showcase their project results at the annual Ideas for Russia Conference. This event will be conducted in a hybrid format and hosted in one of the European cities.
The program duration is six months, commencing in June 2026. While the main program concludes in December, publications derived from the projects may continue to be released post-program.
Honorarium
All interns will receive a one-time honorarium of €600 upon successful completion of the program.
Eligibility
The Ideas for Russia Labs program welcomes applications from bachelor’s and master’s students. PhD students can also apply, but will be given lower priority.
Specific requirements for applicants are set by the mentors and detailed in each project’s description.
The program is open to applicants from all nationalities. However, due to the designation of the Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom as an “undesirable organization” by Russian authorities, individuals residing in Russia are unfortunately ineligible to participate.
Russian nationals residing outside Russia are encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
When applying, candidates must select the laboratory they wish to intern with and submit the following documents (in English or Russian):
- a curriculum vitae,
- a one-page motivation letter.
Candidates may apply to both laboratories. However, a separate application must be submitted for each.
The deadline for submitting applications is 20 May 2026, 23:59 CET.
Selection Process
Mentors will evaluate applications based on the candidates’ levels, skills, and motivation. In certain instances, candidates may also be invited to an interview.
All candidates will be notified of the selection results no later than 1 June 2026.
For any inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the form by 20 May 2026, 23:59 CET.
Please note that an internship at IFR Labs is not considered a Praktikum within the meaning of German law (MiLoG § 22).