1+1 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

2026-04-06 17:19

About Data Lab

Data Lab, based in Astana, Kazakhstan, is a research center dedicated to evidence-based policy analysis on the political, economic, and social development of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Data Lab 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, conducting original research on critical dimensions of Kazakhstan’s statehood.

The Visiting Fellow will work alongside a researcher based in Kazakhstan, fostering cross-national and comparative analytical perspectives. Fellows are expected to produce a Working Paper or a peer-reviewed journal article by the end of their residency.

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, the role of strategic planning documents, anti-corruption campaigns, e-government initiatives, and the broader question of how a post-Soviet state built governance capacity in conditions of 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; and coverage of approved regional travel and field research expenses within the country.

Eligibility

Current PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career researchers affiliated with a university, research institute, or think tank;
Expertise in public administration, political science, comparative politics, governance, post-Soviet studies, or related fields;
Proficiency in English (Russian/Kazakh an advantage for archival work).

Application Requirements

1.CV;
2. Research proposal (3–5 pages), including: research focus within governance (1990–2019), research questions, methodology, and expected outputs (working paper and journal article);
3.Writing sample;
4. Two recommendation letters or referee contacts.

Expected Outputs

Working Paper (20–30 pages) for Data Lab Working Paper Series;
Draft journal article for peer-reviewed submission;
Joint public roundtable presentation with the KZ co-fellow.

How to Apply

Submit to: info@datalabs.kz

Deadline: May 4,2026, 18:00 Astana time (UTC+5).