Overview

The Summer Research Laboratory (SRL) on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia is open to all scholars with research interests in the Russian, East European and Eurasian region for eight weeks during the summer months from June 10 until August 2. The SRL provides scholars access to the resources of the University of Illinois Slavic collection within a flexible time frame where scholars have the opportunity to seek advice and research support from the librarians of the Slavic Reference Service (SRS). 

During the first four weeks of the Lab, the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center also organizes conferences, noontime speakers, and social events for Lab associates.

For graduate students, it provides an opportunity to conduct dissertation research prior to going abroad and a way to prioritize which resources to target after exhausting materials found within the US.

For programming information, click on Lab Programs in the left sidebar.

Application Procedure

All applicants are required to submit an on-line application and clearly stated policy relevant proposal. For more details on application requirements, please select the Application tab in the left sidebar. Please be aware that the opportunity for funding has passed. If you would still like to apply, REEEC accepts rolling applications for the Summer Research Lab.

The SRL application for 2013

*Graduate Students: if your advisor would prefer to send their letter of support separately from the application form, they may e-mail their letter as an attachment to reeec-srl@illinois.edu

Facts and Common Questions about SRL

1. Do I have to attend all summer?
2. Is it difficult to acquire funding for SRL, how constrictive is the funding process?
3. Isn't SRL only for Humanistic Scholars and Historians, I need current periodicals and new publications not archival material.
4. Does the SRL require me to participate in workshops or planned events?
5. Can I access any of the resources after I leave the lab?
6. Why should I visit, if SRS is willing to loan so much material via ILL?
7. Am I allowed to make digital copies of materials that I would like to take with me after I leave?
8. Is SRL only for preliminary work on a project, or does the SRL have more in-depth resources that would cater to more specialized research?
9. How should I pay for Housing and Parking Charges?
10. What are the library hours of the Slavic Reference Service?

1. Do I have to attend all summer?

No, the Summer Research Lab (SRL) is designed to be flexible. You may attend at any time from June 10 to August 2, 2013.

2. Is it difficult to acquire funding for SRL, how constrictive is the funding process?

   Though funding for SRL is competitive, most eligible applicants with strong proposals receive funding for their research. Eligible Grad Students can apply for a housing grant of up to 14 days. All other eligible scholars can apply for up to 8 days of housing. Please see our Grants Page for eligibility requirements.

3. Isn't SRL only for Humanistic Scholars and Historians? I need current periodicals and new publications not archival material.

   The SRL has resources for a wide range of scholars from many different fields and disciplines including but not limited to Law, Business, and STEM. The resources at Illinois are extensive and include current periodicals and new publications. There are many items to which SRS provides access that are not available anywhere else in the US. Please see the Russian and Slavic Studies collection and services page or Slavic Reference Service web page for additional information.
   

4. Does the SRL require me to participate in workshops or planned events?

No, SRL often provides extra programming for the benefit of the associates who come to use the resources at Illinois. None of the programs are required in order to attend SRL.

5. Can I access any of the resources after I leave the lab?

Yes! Often when scholars do research during the Summer Research Lab they find more resources than they can fully investigate in one visit. The Slavic Reference Service librarians are very adept at loaning circulating items through Inter-Library Loan.

6. Why should I visit, if SRS is willing to loan so much material via ILL?

For graduate students, SRL is a great opportunity to develop good relationships with the Slavic Librarians at the Slavic Reference Service. They are ready to use their specialized knowledge to help you do research on your dissertation or research project. SRS Librarians will work with associates long after they leave SRL. Additionally, an in-person visit gives scholars the opportunity to access specialized materials that carry constraints due to particular governmental and copyright restrictions. Scholars who utilize SRL also have access to the main stacks at the University Library.

7. Am I allowed to make digital copies of materials that I would like to take with me after I leave?

Absolutely, graduate students in the past have really appreciated the ability to create their own digital library of the resources acquired during SRL.

8. Is SRL only for preliminary research, or does the SRL have more in-depth resources that would cater to more specialized research?

SRL can assist both preliminary and advanced stages of research. The SRL also facilitates access to hard-to-find materials that are not located anywhere else in the US. This can be especially helpful to scholars who have done their preliminary work using more available resources.

9. How should I pay for Housing and Parking charges?

   If possible, please pay your Housing and Parking charges when you arrive. After payment, any changes to your length of stay cannot be reimbursed to your account. REEEC must issue a check reimbursement that may take several weeks to process.

10. What are the library hours of the Slavic Reference Service?

Slavic Reference Service hours correspond to the Main Library hours of operations. These hours are determined shortly before the start of each session. SRL dates correspond with the University's Summer Session 2. Please check the Library website at the beginning of June for a full schedule of Library hours. When planning your trip to SRL please be aware that the library will be closed on July 4th and is open limited hours on weekends.

 

Funding for this program is provided in part by the Department of State, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Office of Outreach Title VIII Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and Eurasia (Independent States of the Former Soviet Union).