Nine postdoctoral researchers have been selected in the second round of the Fedor Stepun Fellowship Program and will start their research at Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Technische Universität Dortmund soon. They succeeded among more than 30 applications. Among the 9 fellows, 3 are from Slavic Studies, 2 from History as well as 1 each has a background in Philosophy, Media Studies, Gender Studies, and Rehabilitation Studies respectively.

The Zimin Foundation in partnership with the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom provide financial resources to fund the Fedor Stepun Fellowship Program. With this, we can support postdoctoral researchers affected by the war in Ukraine and beyond. This is the second enrollment for this program, the first one was launched in April 2022, almost immediately after the start of the war in Ukraine.

Zimin Foundation and Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, the University Alliance Ruhr Liaison Office EECA, RUB's International Office with its Welcome Centre, Osteuropa-Kolleg NRW and RUB Research School are very happy to welcome these 9 further research talents, after another 9 young scientists were already funded in the 1st cohort. We wish all grantees a successful time in the Ruhr area.