PIR Center Extends The Contest For A Scholarship Covering Part Of The Tuition Fee For The Dual Degree Program In Nonproliferation Studies Until July 15

PIR Center extends submission deadline for scholarship covering part of the tuition fee for the International Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation(developed jointly by MGIMO University, PIR Center and Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA, MIIS), until July 15, 2022.

To participate in PIR Center scholarship contest, prospective applicants should:

1. Until July 20 apply to the Program by submitting the full package of documents to MGIMO University and MIIS enrollment commission. NOTE: applications for scholarship will be considered only for those candidates who have submitted a full set of documents specified in the requirements of MIIS and MGIMO.

2.Demonstrate your interest in the issues of WMD nonproliferation, disarmament, arms control, nuclear energy, and global security, as well as experience in educational, research, informational, and other work in this area. For this reason, please, send to PIR Center at edu@pircenter.org the following documents:

• Proposed topic of master’s thesis and its brief justification (no more than 0.5 – 1 page in English).
• Other materials that confirm the applicant’s interest in the subject of the Program and relevant experience, even if it is only academic (in Russian or English).

Such materials may include:

— a list of publications on the topic in any language with valid links or sample publications;

— a list of conferences, seminars, courses on the subject of Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies where you managed to deliver a speech, preferably with valid links to the pages of these events on the Internet;

— scientific and study works, including essays, term papers, dissertations or dissertation chapters, theses of speeches, etc. (in any language);

— any other materials that can confirm your interest in the main topic of the Program.

If there are no publications and/or study papers on the main issues of the Program, the candidate can prepare and submit an essay on the topic “The Future of Global NPT Regime: Threats and Prospects in the Age of Great Power Rivalry” (in English).

Application documents must be sent to edu@pircenter.org by July 15, 2022 (if any documents are pending approval/issuance, the applicant needs to inform PIR Center. The results of the contest including final decisions on granting scholarships and their amounts will be announced in the end of July – beginning of August 2022. The selection committee reserves the right to invite the applicant for an oral interview.

The Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation is an important component of the international educational and training activities in the field of nonproliferation and disarmament. It is a high-quality, innovative educational product that meets the demands of the times. The agreement on the launch of a joint master’s program was reached in 2015. At that time, three co-founders of the program, MGIMO University, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, US, MIIS, and PIR Center, signed the respective documents on its establishment. Later, in 2016, the first enrollment of students took place. Since 2016 more than 40 students from different parts of the world have become the Program’s students and graduates. In addition to Russian and American students, young people from Canada, China, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, and the Republic of Korea have received education under the Program.

The educational process has been traditionally characterized by the diversity of the curriculum and extra-curricular activities. For example, they have studied theory and history of international relations, methodology of research, Russian foreign policy as well as an introduction to the nuclear nonproliferation regime, modern arms control and disarmament, international cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear security, nuclear nonproliferation policy of Russia, regional challenges to WMD nonproliferation, security issues in cyberspace, etc. Besides, students have always visited Russian corporations, organizations, and authorities such as the MFA of Russia, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, TASS. The second and third semesters were held in the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA. Finally, the last semester before graduation students have devoted to an internship in international organizations (IAEA, UNODA, CTBTO, OPCW, etc.) or some national entities and to finishing their research papers. At the end of the education, the graduates are awarded two master’s degrees: one from MIIS with a degree in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies and the other from MGIMO University with a degree in International Affairs.