About Data Lab
Data Lab (El Umiti Fund), based in Astana, Kazakhstan, is a research center that conducts policy-oriented research, hosts expert roundtables, and provides a platform for emerging scholars.
About the Fellowship
Data Lab invites applications from international researchers for its Visiting Research Fellow Program. The fellowship provides an opportunity for one international scholar to spend a residency period working at the Data Lab in Astana.
Research Theme
Governance in Kazakhstan, 1990–2019: Institutions, Reforms, and State-Building
This research program examines almost three decades of governance transformation in Kazakhstan - from the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of an independent state to the institutional consolidation of 2019. The period encompasses the creation of core state institutions, constitutional development, administrative reforms, the evolution of the presidential system, the formation of a bureaucratic apparatus, decentralization experiments, e-government initiatives, and the broader question of how a post-Soviet state built its governance capacity amid geopolitical pressure and rapid social change.
Fellowship Package
A monthly stipend of USD 1,350 (net) for the full two-month period; round-trip international airfare (economy class); visa support with reimbursement of consular fees and provision of medical insurance; a dedicated workspace at Data Lab with access to analytical software, academic databases, and institutional resources; access to an expert network.
Eligibility
- Current PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career researchers affiliated with a university, research institute, or think tank;
- Expertise in political science, public policy, governance, or post-Soviet studies;
- Proficiency in English (Russian/Kazakh an advantage).
Application Requirements
- CV;
- Research proposal (1200 words).
Expected Outputs
- Presentation at the Data Lab event.
How to Apply
Submit to: info@datalabs.kz
Extended deadline: June 10, 2026, 18:00 Astana time (UTC +5).