Those who will offer new certification systems for teachers of English in post-Soviet republics using the most modern teaching technologies will receive the money. In addition to educational tasks, American embassies pursue political objectives, and no one hides that. Documents posted on diplomatic department websites say scholarship chances will be higher for those who “emphasize common values” of the republics with the United States, as well as popularize American culture and teach teachers and local students” promoting human rights, social inclusion, expanding opportunities for women and youth.
Separately, US embassies stress that the candidate’s desire to “promote understanding of US politics” is important in the distribution of the money. Interestingly, there is no information on the website of the US Embassy in Moscow on how much Washington has allocated in 2023 for small grant programs in Russia. Only the maximum amount for each project is indicated – 250 thousand dollars.
The promise of those payments comes with a note that cutting off contact with Russian citizens “is not in the long-term interests of the United States.” US diplomats expect to continue implementing their programs in Russia, under which they intend to “build ties with the next generations of Russians”. In this vein, for example, in March they will provide funds for scholarships under a program that allows you to study for free in the United States at the expense of the American state. Washington expects to continue forming a “pro-American column” throughout -Soviet space – after all, from the donors’ perspective, “money doesn’t smell.”
