Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 116-2-2

Title

Grant Assistance Program Files

Date(s)

1994 - 1998

Description Level

Series

Extent and medium (processed)

2 Archival boxes, 0.25 linear meters

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)

The establishment of the Grant Assistance Program, which assisted those Western organizations that provided support for science, culture and education in the FSU, was announced in the fall of 1994. It was established specifically because the ISF had created a highly efficient infrastructure for the transfer and distribution of grants. It was also important that a special government order exempted the ISF from paying taxes and customs duties. Up until 1995, the ISF was the only foreign foundation that enjoyed this privilege. Consequently, the Foundation used its channels to organize the shipment of over one-third of all philanthropic aid that was sent to FSU countries, while providing a savings of $4.5 million of the funds donated by the West. Around 87% of the funding was sent by American organizations and foundations. The largest users of this program were such prominent philanthropic organizations as U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (CRDF) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which transferred 34% and 14%, respectively, of the total amount of funds that passed through this program.
The files contain correspondence, descriptions of the program for the general public including its brochure, press-releases, and announcements. In addition, there are materials related to the university contacts of the program. The files also contain application forms.

Accruals

Not Expected

System of arrangement

Arranged alphabetically

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access

Access to this series is regulated by the donation agreement with the Open Society Foundations, according to which records are restricted up to 25 years from the date of their creation. OSA maintains the right to review access rules to both restricted and unrestricted records on a case by case basis.

Languages

English, Russian

Description Control

Archivist's note

Processed by Valentyna Afanas'eva, June, 2005; revised by Olga Zaslavskaya, November 30, 2005 and Branislav Kovacevic, February, 2009.