Jānis Grundmanis Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowships for Study in the U.S.
6The Jānis Grundmanis Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship, established in the memory of Dr. Jānis Grundmanis, is an annual fellowship of $20,000 for graduate or postgraduate study in the United States.
Recipients of the fellowship must be citizens of the Republic of Latvia, speak Latvian, and have their permanent residence in Latvia. Preference will be given to applicants studying in the field of humanities or social sciences.
The application deadline for academic year 2026-2027 was February 1, 2026. Applications will be evaluated by the AABS 2024–2026 Grants Committee consisting of AABS VP for Professional Development Dr. Kaarel Piirimäe, AABS President Dr. Jörg Hackmann, and AABS Director-at-Large Dr. Dovilė Budrytė. Award notifications will be made in April 2026.
AWARD: $20,000 stipend
2026-2027 application process
The application deadline for academic year 2026-2027 was February 1, 2026.
Award notifications will be made in April 2026.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria:
Applicants must be current AABS members at the time of application.
Applications which are specific and factual, and which establish clear and attainable goals have the best chances for favorable review. After a full review, the Committee will select the successful candidate(s), but the grants will be conditional upon acceptance of the students for full-time study at an accredited college or university in the United States for the full academic year.
Guidelines for Application:
1. Check that your AABS membership is active and complete the online grant application form.
2. The application must include a proposal packet (single PDF file), which must consist of the following:
a) A one-page statement of purpose in English describing the proposed studies and how they will further the student’s overall educational goals;
b) One-page Curriculum Vitae;
c) Officially certified copies of university transcripts along with a copy of the diploma or a statement on the expected date of graduation;
d) A statement listing the university or universities in the U.S. at which the studies are to be carried out. Preference will be given to applicants who have applied for admission and are able to document actual contact with relevant departmental professors at a university;
e) Two letters of support from current or recent professors or lecturers who have read the statement of purpose and can comment on the feasibility of the proposed study in the context of the student’s overall study program;
f) A statement regarding the applicant’s current English language skills.
3. Once the application has been awarded, applicant must submit the following additional documentation:
a) Proof of Latvian citizenship – scanned copies of relevant pages of the passport of the Republic of Latvia indicating citizenship;
Learn more about our 2025 Grundmanis Fellowship Recipient
Marta Kalniņa is a film director and screenwriter from Latvia, dedicated to telling underrepresented stories from the Baltics. She holds a First-Class Honours BA in Film Production from Solent University (UK) and has been admitted to the MFA program in Film Directing and Screenwriting at Columbia University. Through this in-depth three-year program, supported by a thriving and diverse community and guided by working professionals, Marta strives to deepen her cinematic voice. With a fresh, global perspective shaped by a broad range of visionary artists, her newfound knowledge and experience will help build a bridge between Latvian and U.S. cinema, bringing these untold stories to the global stage.
Read reports from other past winners here!
Terms of the agreement
The fellowship will consist of four payments of $5,000 each. At the discretion of the Committee, payment of all or part of the fellowship award may be made directly to the college or university, instead of the student. The fellowship may be supplemented by other sources.
By accepting a $20,000 Grundmanis Fellowship, the recipient will enter into a binding contract with the AABS to return to Latvia upon completion of studies in the United States. Failure of the student to resume residency in Latvia within one month after finishing the academic year in the U.S. will result in the automatic conversion of the fellowship award to a student loan which must be repaid to the AABS in full, with interest, within three years of the conversion date, unless an extension for the stay abroad had been granted by the AABS.
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
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