The Alfa Fellowship Program is a distinguished international initiative that each year offers up to 18 accomplished young Americans, Britons, and Germans the opportunity to complete a high-level professional development program in Russia. Over the course of the program, Fellows complete work placements at leading institutions, attend professional seminars, and receive intensive language training. The Fellowship provides a monthly stipend, accommodation, insurance, all program-related travel costs, language training in Russia, and private tutoring in the U.S., U.K., or Germany. Key goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program are to expand networks of American, British, German, and Russian professionals, develop greater intercultural understanding, and advance understanding of Russia.
The Alfa Fellowship Program is sponsored by AO “Alfa-Bank”. Founded in 1990, Alfa-Bank is a full-service bank operating in most sectors of the financial market, including retail and corporate lending, investment banking, leasing, factoring and trade finance.
According to its IFRS Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2016, the Alfa Banking Group, which comprises ABH Financial, Joint Stock Company Alfa-Bank as well as its subsidiary financial companies, had total assets of $38.2 bn, gross loans of $23.9 bn, and total equity of $5.7 bn. Net profit for 2016 amounted to $527 mln.
As of December 31, 2016, the Alfa Banking Group has served around 334,000 corporate and 14.3 mln retail customers, while the branch network consists of 733 offices across Russia and abroad, including a subsidiary bank in the Netherlands and financial subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Cyprus.
Alfa-Banking Group has a long history of supporting charities, Russian culture, and developing programs for young talent.
Cultural Vistas
Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit exchange organization promoting global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions. We develop international professional experiences that create more informed, skilled, and engaged citizens. Our programs empower people to drive positive change in themselves, their organizations, and society. Learn more at www.culturalvistas.org.
Cultural Vistas is the U.S. representative for the Alfa Fellowship Program and has administered the program since its inception in 2004. In 2009, the program was expanded to include young professionals from the U.K., which Cultural Vistas administers in consultation with Professor Dana Brown, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Principal of Leicester Castle Business School at De Montfort University. In 2014, the program was expanded to include German citizens, which Cultural Vistas administers together with Cultural Vistas Europe, headquartered in Berlin.
Fund for International Fellowships and Cultural Dialogue
The Alfa Fellowship Program is administered in Russia by the Fund for International Fellowships and Cultural Dialogue. The Fund was established by the Corporate Charity Projects Department of Alfa-Bank with the goal of ensuring successful day-to-day operations of the Alfa Fellowship Program. The Fund, also known as the “Moscow Office,” is a welcoming place that provides a supportive environment for Fellows to help them adjust to life in the Russian capital. Moscow Office staff also works together with Fellows to identify suitable work placements at leading institutions in Russia by drawing upon extensive contacts throughout industry, media, government, and the nonprofit sector. Additionally, the Moscow Office staff organizes other important aspects of the program, such as the seminar series, language courses, and housing.
The Alfa Fellowship Alumni Association (AFAA)
The Alfa Fellowship Program Alumni Association was established in 2008 and now consists of over 150 members. It contributes its support to the Alfa Fellowship Program and works to ensure program alumni remain connected with one another and with Russian affairs. For more information, please visit the Alumni tab.
The application for the 2018-2019 program year is now open and will be due no later than December 1, 2017.
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