From March 23 to April 18, 2026, the InteRussia fellowship for specialists in Oriental Studies was held at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Among the participants were researchers from Egypt, India, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
Over the course of four weeks, participants immersed themselves in the study of Russian approaches to Oriental Studies, history, archaeology, and regional research. Guided by scholars of the Institute of Oriental Studies RAS, the fellows explored a wide range of topics related to the history, cultures, and contemporary development of the countries of the East, while also working on their individual research projects.
A key feature of the fellowship was its emphasis on practical engagement with historical sources, archival collections, and museum holdings. In Moscow, participants visited the State Historical Museum, the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts, and the Russian State Library, where they became acquainted with unique documentary collections and research materials used by historians and Orientalists. Special attention was devoted to the State Museum of Oriental Art, whose collections provided an opportunity to examine material culture as an important source for understanding the societies and civilizations of Asia and the Middle East.
The academic program also included meetings with leading Russian experts in international relations, history, and political science. Throughout the fellowship, participants took part in expert discussions and seminars that addressed contemporary geopolitical developments, regional dynamics, and methodological approaches to research in Oriental Studies.
An important part of the program was a study visit to St. Petersburg. There, fellows visited the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences and gained insight into one of the world's most significant collections of Eastern manuscripts. Participants learned about the principles of preserving, cataloguing, and studying rare historical documents, while also becoming familiar with ongoing research projects conducted by Russian scholars.
The visit to St. Petersburg also included excursions to the State Hermitage Museum and the Russian Museum. Through their collections, participants explored the long history of cultural interaction between Russia and the civilizations of the East, observing how artistic traditions, trade routes, diplomatic contacts, and intellectual exchanges shaped the development of societies across Eurasia.
Beyond the academic component, the fellowship offered participants an opportunity to experience Russia's cultural heritage firsthand. As part of the cultural program, the fellows took part in a sightseeing tour of Moscow, visited some of the city's most iconic landmarks, and continued informal discussions with colleagues and experts outside the classroom.
The fellowship concluded with presentations of individual research projects developed during the program. The participants presented the results of their work, exchanged ideas with Russian colleagues, and discussed prospects for future academic cooperation.
The InteRussia Fellowship in Oriental Studies is implemented by Mezhdunarodniki Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation in cooperation with the Gorchakov Fund and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences with grant support from the Presidential Grants Foundation.