Mladena and Dianko Sotirov Visiting Fellowship at LSE 2025/26

Omran Aburayya
May 12
3 min read

If you're an early-career scholar specializing in the history or international affairs of Bulgaria and the Balkan region, the 2025/26 Mladena and Dianko Sotirov Visiting Fellowship at LSE IDEAS offers a remarkable opportunity to advance your research within a globally renowned academic environment. Applications are now open for this prestigious fellowship, which supports a one to two-month research stay in London. Funded by a generous endowment from Mrs. Mladena Sotirov, the fellowship aims to deepen understanding of the Balkans' recent history and contemporary challenges.

📌 Fellowship Summary

Location: London, United Kingdom
Host Institution: LSE IDEAS, London School of Economics and Political Science
Study Level: Doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers
Target Group: Early-career scholars focusing on Bulgaria and the Balkan region
Fields of Research: History and international affairs of Bulgaria and the Balkans, primarily in the 20th century; exceptional contemporary studies may be considered
Award Value: £6,500
Duration: 1–2 months
Application Deadline: 30 May 2025
Start Date: Late 2025 to mid-2026 (to be agreed upon with LSE IDEAS)
Eligible to: Scholars of any nationality

📝 Fellowship Overview

The Mladena and Dianko Sotirov Visiting Fellowship is designed to support scholars conducting research on Bulgaria and the Balkan region. While the primary focus is on the 20th-century history of international affairs, the fellowship also welcomes exceptional research on current issues affecting the region. Fellows will engage with topics such as Bulgaria's foreign policy, the Balkans' role in Cold War geopolitics, regional conflicts, transitions to democracy, EU integration processes, and contemporary political developments.

During their stay, fellows will have the opportunity to:

Collaborate with leading scholars in international relations and history
Access LSE's world-class research resources
Participate in seminars, workshops, and events hosted by LSE IDEAS
Present their work and receive feedback from a global academic community

ℹ️ The fellowship does not involve teaching duties, allowing recipients to fully dedicate their time to research.

🎓 Fellowship Benefits

Financial Support: A grant of £6,500 to cover travel, accommodation, and living expenses during the research stay in London.
Academic Engagement: Opportunities to interact with experts in the field, attend events, and present research findings.
Research Resources: Access to LSE's extensive libraries and research facilities.
Professional Development: Enhancement of academic profile through association with a leading institution.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Early-career scholars, including doctoral candidates (preferably in the later stages of their research) and post-doctoral researchers.
Research focus on the history or international affairs of Bulgaria and the Balkan region, primarily in the 20th century.
Exceptional research on contemporary issues in the region may also be considered.
Proficiency in English, as all application materials must be submitted in English.
Open to scholars of any nationality.

📝 Application Procedure

Applicants must submit the following documents in English:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailing academic qualifications, research interests, and relevant publications.
Cover Letter: A maximum of 1,500 words outlining the current research project, its relevance to the fellowship, and the expected benefits of a research stay at LSE IDEAS.
Two Letters of Academic Recommendation:
- One letter must be from the applicant's thesis supervisor (if the applicant is a PhD student).
- The second letter should be from an academic familiar with the applicant's work.