At this time of global uncertainty, displacement and polarisation, offering support, allyship and solidarity to anti-war Russian exiles is an important and valuable investment in both Russia and the UK’s future.
Apply for our Future of Russia fellowship programme to support your work towards a free and peaceful future for your society.
Why apply for the programme
This programme is for Russian leaders and change-makers living in exile. It will support exceptional professionals whose work contributes to a free and peaceful future through improving governance, justice and sustainability in their society and beyond.
The programme fosters a collaborative community of leaders and change-makers and offers Fellows a chance to gain insights into the values, ways of working, and challenges faced by people and institutions in the UK, and to connect with counterparts and learn from each other’s work.
It comprises a series of online sessions and a week’s residential programme in the UK. This includes leadership training, workshops, visits to public institutions, policy institutes and NGOs, and the opportunity meet experts in your field.
During the programme we focus on:
- community engagement and support
- communication and public diplomacy
- building and supporting professional networks.
We’re looking for professionals from across different sectors. Whether you work in civil society, journalism, politics, social enterprise, education, business, the arts, or science and technology, we encourage you to apply.
Shared values
We’re looking for people with an active commitment to our values of openness, equity, curiosity, connection and courage, and to rules-based and people-centred governance.
You must not be connected with the Russian state or any organisation that has actively supported the war and you must be able to demonstrate support for our position on the war.
Russian leaders for a peaceful, free and fair future
Maija Paasiaro, executive director at the John Smith Trust, says: “We condemn Russia’s unlawful act of aggression on Ukraine. We support the people of Ukraine who are defending their freedom, and we continue to support all efforts to end Russia’s unprovoked invasion.
“However, we also want to continue to offer support and allyship to Russian citizens who condemn the war. Our Future of Russia programme supports Russian citizens who are working actively towards their vision of a peaceful, free and fair future for their society.
“Ukrainians deserve nothing less than a just peace. In the long term, such a peace will only be sustainable if there are leaders on all sides who are willing to listen and learn from each other, who can hold difficult conversations about the past and who are motivated and inspired to imagine alternative ways of doing things.
“Our Russian Leaders in Exile programme is integral to our vision of creating connections and hope for a brighter future.”
Programme details
- The programme will run online from October 2025 until 5 February 2026.
- Fellows will attend a week-long residential in the UK in November 2025.
- The residential includes: leadership and debate training, group sessions and workshops as well as visits to public institutions, policy institutes, and NGOs and meetings with experts across our thematic field.
- Fellows will also have a tailored set of meetings with UK counterparts to enhance their action plan.
Eligibility
The Trust will select candidates looking to make the most significant long-term positive impact on their society’s development and not the development of their own careers. To apply you must:
- be aged 25-40
- be in permanent employment
- be a citizen of Russia and be living in exile, but for no longer than five years
- speak and write fluent English (preferably having already studied or worked in English)
- demonstrate a commitment to the John Smith Trust’s shared values of tolerance, respect and openness towards one another
- demonstrate your potential as a leader in your chosen professional field, committed to building a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive society either in your home country or country of residence
- propose an ‘action plan’ addressing a challenge in policy or practice in your field of expertise, which you intend to implement after the programme, and which will be informed by your experience in the UK
- be prepared to make a substantial commitment dedicating time and effort into making the most of the programme and participating actively in the Fellow’s online and in-person community in the long term.
Please see our Fellows’ Charter for more detail on what we expect from Fellows.
The Trust strongly condemns Russia’s unlawful act of aggression on Ukraine and supports the people of Ukraine who are defending their freedom. Fellows who take part in the programme need to accept this position. Please see our statement on the war on Ukraine for more detail.
It is also important for applicants to understand that the John Smith Trust has been classified by Russia as an ‘undesirable organisation’ and to consider the risks associated with applying for our programme. Please note there is no obligation for Fellows to participate in public communications or to be visible on our website or social media platforms.
Application process
Applicants apply via our online application form. Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview. There is also a final stage face-to-face interview.
