The Institute supports and fosters the research work of scholars (social scientists, primarily historians, political scientists and lawyers) in corresponding fields of research, holding scholarship competitions. It also holds international scholarly conferences once a year.
The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory Invites Young Scholars to Participate in the International Research Competition on Communism
The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory invites early-career researchers to participate in the International Research Competition on Communism.
The competition is open to completed but unpublished Master’s or Doctoral theses of scholars, aged 35 years or younger, examining communist ideology and regimes. Research topics need not be related to Estonian history; comparative studies and investigations of other national contexts are equally welcome. Eligible theses must have been defended in 2025 or 2026.
Theses may be submitted in Estonian, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish.
Submitted theses will be evaluated in two categories: Master’s and Doctoral. The winner in the Master’s category will receive €1,500, while the winner in the Doctoral category will receive €3,000.
The deadline for submissions is 1 November 2026 (included).
For inquiries, please contact: info@mnemosyne.ee.
* * *
Statute of the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory International Research Competition on Communism
Article 1: Competition Objective
The objective of the Competition is to support scholars aged 35 years or younger conducting research in fields aligned with the Institute’s mission.
Article 2: General Provisions
2.1 The Competition is announced annually on the Institute website (mnemosyne.ee).
2.2 To participate in the Competition, candidates must submit a defended Master’s or Doctoral thesis and all required supporting documents by 1 November (included).
2.3 The jury’s decision on the winners of the Competition will be announced on the Institute website in December of the same year.
Article 3: Language Requirements
A defended Master’s or Doctoral thesis may be submitted in Estonian, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish.
Article 4: Research Fields
The thesis must address one or more of the following research fields:
4.1 History of communist ideology and regimes.
4.2 Human losses caused by the implementation of communist ideology and policies of communist regimes, including crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.
4.3 Human rights violations by communist regimes.
4.4 Communist regimes’ attempts to establish dominance in other countries (the so-called ‘export of revolution’).
4.5 Political, social, economic, legal, and environmental consequences of the actions of communist regimes domestically and internationally.
Article 5: Competition Categories and Awards
The Competition comprises of two categories:
5.1 Master’s Thesis Category: The winning thesis is awarded €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros). The jury may also award special prizes to other submitted theses.
5.2 Doctoral Thesis Category: The winning thesis is awarded €3,000 (three thousand euros). The jury may also award special prizes to other submitted theses.
Article 6: Publication Opportunities
Authors of winning theses and recipients of special prizes are encouraged to publish abridged versions of their work in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory.
Article 7: Submission Requirements
7.1 Each candidate may submit only one defended Master’s or Doctoral thesis defended in the year of the Competition or in the previous year.
7.2 The following documents must be submitted to info@mnemosyne.ee with the subject line ‘Submission. International Research Competition’:
7.2.1 A PDF version of the defended Master’s or Doctoral thesis in accordance with Articles 3 and 4.
7.2.2 An up-to-date curriculum vitae with emphasis on research experience and publications.
7.2.3 A completed application form.
7.3 Resubmission of a thesis previously submitted to the Competition in a prior year is not permitted.
Article 8: Jury Composition and Conduct
8.1 The Institute shall appoint a jury to evaluate the submitted theses.
8.2 The chair of the jury shall be a member of the Institute’s Council or Board.
8.3 All jury members must hold a doctoral degree (PhD).
8.4 The chair or members of the jury shall recuse themselves from evaluating any thesis for which they served as supervisor, or where the author is a close relative, spouse, family member, or where any other conflict of interest may exist.
Article 9: Evaluation Procedure
9.1 The chair and members of the jury shall independently review all theses submitted to the Competition and complete an Evaluation_Form for each thesis. The Evaluation Forms shall then be shared collectively among all jury members.
9.2 The jury shall convene a meeting to determine the results of the Competition. The winner in each category shall be determined by the highest total sum of points awarded across all Evaluation Forms. In the event that two or more theses receive equal point totals, the jury shall conduct a vote, with the winner determined by majority decision.
9.3 The jury shall also determine whether to award special prizes and identify the recipients thereof.
9.4 The jury reserves the right to decline to announce a winner in either or both categories if the submitted theses do not meet sufficient standards of academic quality.
