Call for Proposals

2015 saw the death of German statesman Helmut Schmidt. As a long-standing member of the board of trustees of the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius, he was a role model in word and deed.

In his honor, the ZEIT-Stiftung and The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) are proud to announce the Helmut Schmidt Fellowship 2017. This prestigious position will commemorate the life, service, and legacy of Helmut Schmidt by supporting the work of an individual who has shown excellence in the academic and/or policy spheres through commitment to advancing the transatlantic relationship and/or European integration.

Fellowship Description

The Helmut Schmidt Fellowship is supported by the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius. It will be granted to a German fellow to work on issues related to the transatlantic relationship and the European Union, specializing either in foreign and security policy or economic and financial issues.

The fellow will be based at GMF, a transatlantic public policy institute in Washington, DC. S/he will be fully integrated into GMF’s policy work, conducting and publishing research and analysis, participating in meetings and events, and contributing to discussions about programmatic strategy. The fellow will have access to GMF’s network and resources, as well as to contacts in the academic, think-tank, and policy communities. S/he will also have opportunities to participate in DC-based programming, including meetings with officials and policymakers, as well as representatives of the diplomatic and nonprofit sectors.

The fellow will work closely with GMF staff and fellows across all offices. S/he will work under the direction of Derek Chollet, Member of the Executive Team of GMF. The length of the fellowship will be based on the duration of an academic year (10 months), with a possibility to extend.

Research Themes

The Helmut Schmidt Fellow will examine a number of themes related to how the roles of Germany and the United States in Europe and the world are evolving, as well as the implications of these developments for bilateral and wider transatlantic relations, for the future of Europe, and for global affairs.

The launch of the fellowship in the fall of 2017 – when the German federal elections are likely to be held – will heighten awareness and interest for the German political landscape in Washington, DC.

The ZEIT-Stiftung and GMF invite proposals for research on one or more of the following questions:

• Transatlantic cooperation in the field of Security, Foreign Policy, Defence
• Transatlantic economic and financial relations
• Europe in transatlantic relations
• New challenges to the transatlantic relationship

Eligibility

We seek an individual who has shown excellence in the academic and/or policy spheres through commitment to studying and/or advancing the transatlantic relationship and/or European integration. Senior academics or think tankers applying for this position are expected to have a strong publication record and regular high-level media exposure. Policy makers applying for the fellowship are expected to have a proven record in advancing European integration and/or transatlantic relations and the readiness to engage actively in the policy debate on European and transatlantic issues.

How to Apply

To apply, please signup below and submit a CV, a list of publications, a letter of motivation of no more than 750 words and a summary of the research proposal of no more than 900 words.

The deadline for applications is December 5th, 2016.

For more information, please contact Anna-Lena Kirch (alkirch@gmfus.org, Tel. +49-30-2888 1322) in Berlin, or Jennifer Diamond (jdiamond@gmfus.org, Tel. +1 202 683 2608) in Washington, DC.

About The German Marshall Fund of the United States 

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) strengthens transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities in the spirit of the Marshall Plan.

GMF contributes research and analysis and convenes leaders on transatlantic issues relevant to policymakers. GMF offers rising leaders opportunities to develop their skills and networks through transatlantic exchange, and supports civil society in the Balkans and Black Sea regions by fostering democratic initiatives, rule of law, and regional cooperation.

Founded in 1972 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition to its headquarters in Washington, DC, GMF has offices in Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Ankara, Bucharest, and Warsaw.

About ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius

Hamburg's liberal spirit and Gerd Bucerius' open-minded way of thinking are the two sources of inspiration that have made the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius what it is today. The foundation supports research and scholarship, art and culture, as well as education and training. It also initiates debates on political and social topics and provides forums for digital development.

The ZEIT-Stiftung promotes innovation in higher education, and founded the first private law school in Germany, the Bucerius Law School, in 2000. The Bucerius Kunst Forum was established in 2002 as the flagship for the foundation's investment in art and culture.

The scholarship program “Trajectories of Change” contributes to humanities and social sciences and focuses on transformation processes in the European neighborhood. The “Free Media Awards” support independent media and courageous journalists in Eastern Europe. At the Bucerius Summer School on Global Governance, the ZEIT-Stiftung brings together young leaders from a variety of fields to address key issues in global governance.

^{Photo Credit: Ludwig Wegmann}