Grantmaking is one of GMF’s core missions, and through this process, GMF supports a wide range of institutions and individuals working on transatlantic policy issues.  GMF awards grants primarily through six major grantmaking programs — the Balkan Trust for Democracy, the Black Sea Trust, Economics, Germany-related, Immigration, and Strategic.

Immigration, Germany-related, and Strategic Grantmaking are by invitation only.

Balkan Trust for Democracy

The Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) is a 10-year, $30-million grantmaking initiative that supports democracy, good governance, and Euroatlantic integration in Southeastern Europe. This award-winning public-private partnership was created in 2003 by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation

A public-private partnership modeled on the successful Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD), the Black Sea Trust (BST) works in collaboration with a range of donors to provide grants to indigenous organizations working to foster and strengthen regional cooperation, civil society, and democratic foundations. BST will be operated as a 10-year initiative, though GMF remains open to considering a longer-term effort.

Congressional Study Groups

GMF sponsors study groups that connect Members of the U.S. Congress together with foreign legislators providing the opportunity for lawmakers from around the world and the United States to speak candidly with each other about matters of mutual importance.

Germany-related Grantmaking

The Germany-related Grantmaking Program provides support to institutions and programs dedicated to strengthening the U.S.-German relationship. In July 2009, grants were awarded to the American Council on Germany, the American Political Science Association, the Association of Former Members of Congress, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Auswaertige Politik.

Immigration

The GMF Immigration and Integration Program recently launched an annual, large-scale grantmaking initiative, the Transatlantic Study Teams. Its objective is to link the transatlantic debate on international migration flows with its consequences for sending and receiving regions.

Strategic Grantmaking

The Strategic Grantmaking Program fosters policy research across the range of transatlantic issues. GMF will focus on specific issue areas each year and invite individual proposals to be submitted. Examples of recent strategic grants include:

Italian Institute for International Affairs Strategic Partnership
The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with the Italian Institute for International Affairs (Istituto Affari Internazionali – IAI), Italy’s major research center in the fields of international politics, security and economy. The partnership will leverage each institution’s intellectual expertise, convening capabilities, and networks in Washington and across Europe focusing on southern Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean. This effort will focus on an enhanced program of research and analysis spanning key areas such as new actors in the Mediterranean, maritime security issues, and emerging opportunities and challenges for Euroatlantic cooperation.

Bruegel Strategic Partnership
The German Marshall Fund has entered into a strategic partnership grant agreement with Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, a premier European economic policy institute. The partnership will leverage each institution’s intellectual expertise, convening capabilities, and networks in Washington and across Europe, and across possible program areas, some of which are listed below for 2009. Another topic may still be added.

• Financial Crisis
• Central and Eastern European (CEE) economies and economic relations with the CEE countries
• Climate Change Policies and Competitiveness

GMF and Bruegel intend to collaborate over three years through a variety of means, including the development of research products, organizing conferences and seminars, written publications for external audiences, programming for fellows, staff, and other important visitors.