The U.S. Department of State, Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII), provides fellowship support to graduate students in policy-relevant fields who wish to participate in the American Councils Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP), the Balkan Language Initiative (BLI), or the Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP). Title VIII fellowships are awarded based on financial need and academic merit. To be eligible for Title VIII funding, applicants must meet the requirements of their selected program; Have completed their undergraduate studies; Be enrolled, or demonstrate intent to enroll in graduate study in a field relevant to the formulation of U.S. policy in the region.