Share twitter instagram facebook LinkedIn youtube

To improve our website we use google Analytics.

Our privacy statement and the privacy statement of google analytics apply.

EUCACIS – The EU, Central Asia and the Caucasus in the International System

Cife
Cife

EUCACIS is a PhD support programme for postgraduates and doctoral researchers from Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus.

Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Comission, it offers scholarships for three years to excellent postgraduates who are working on a doctoral thesis in political science, contemporary history or economics on a topic related to the programme's thematic focus at a university or academy of sciences in the target region.

It provides intensive PhD research training and support until the programme participants submit their doctoral theses, and helps them establishing their own networks with other young researchers in Central Asia, the Caucasus and in Europe. Therefore, it uses the blended learning approach and combines conferences, workshops and a research training stay with online training and coaching.

The working language is English.

During the course of the programme, the EUCACIS fellows will be enabled to:

  • improve their methodological competences in accordance with international standards
  • write policy papers and scientific articles in English
  • present their findings at international conferences and workshops
  • establish networks with other young researchers from the greater Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe and beyond

To support its fellows in writing their theses and obtaining their doctorate, the EUCACIS programme offers scholarships and intensive PhD research training. That includes:

Coverage of costs

  • scholarships of 300 € per month for 3 years
  • travel grants of up to 500 € for field research
  • travel costs and accomodation for the following programme events

Programme events

  • four international conferences in Almaty, Berlin, Tbilisi and Bishkek
  • three PhD schools in Berlin and Tbilisi
  • one 3-week research training stay in Berlin

Further programme offers

  • Mentoring by postdoctoral researchers
  • Continuous online coaching
  • Joint publications
  • Access to the EUCA(C)IS young researchers network
  • Up to 25 ECTS credits for active participation in all programme elements
  • A certificate of participation and a transcript of records

Eligibility and application

The programme addresses excellent postgraduates who are working on their doctoral thesis in political science, contemporary history or economics on a topic related to the programme’s thematic focus (see below) at a university or academy of sciences in the Southern Caucasus or Central Asia, namely in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Kashmir region in India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the Xinjiang region in China.

To be eligible for the EUCACIS PhD Support Programme, applicants have to be citizens of one of the following countries:

  • Afghanistan
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • The Kashmir region in India
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • The Xinjiang region in China

The thematic field of EUCACIS covers the following topics:

  • Bilateral relations between the EU and its member states, Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus
  • Foreign policies of countries in Central Asia or the Southern Caucasus
  • Regional integration and cooperation in Central Asia or the Southern Caucasus
  • Transformation, state building and social change in the region
  • The role and competition of regional or international organisations in the regions
  • Mutual politics perceptions in media/ society
  • Conflict resolution processes in Central Asia/ the Southern Caucasus
  • Analysis of the EU’s Central Asia strategy or the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)
  • External powers in Central Asia or the Southern Caucasus and their geopolitical interests

Related topics are conceivable after consultation with the EUCACIS programme team.

Applicants have to fulfill ALL following compulsory requirements:

  • Advanced stage of doctoral studies
  • University degree in the second cycle of higher education
  • Enrolment as a doctoral student in political science, international relations, contemporary history, economics or a closely related field of studies at an institution (university or academy of sciences) in the target region
  • Fluency in English
  • Working on a doctoral thesis (also advanced projects) on a topic related to the programme focus (for details see below) to obtain a doctorate (PhD or equivalent academic degree in the third cycle of higher education)
  • Approval of participating in the programme by the doctorate supervisor and employer(s)
  • Willingness to complete a doctoral thesis and write and publish an additional research/policy paper in English within the next three years
  • Willingness and availability to actively participate during the next three years in all online and presence programme elements
  • Internet access

Team

Duration: 01 June 2016 – 31 August 2020
Image copyright: Cife

Partners