Fellowship•Germany · Berlin

CATS Fellowship

Funding

Partial / Stipend

Program dates

Sep 1, 2026

The CATS Fellowship is offered by the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), the Berlin-based German Institute for International and Security Affairs. It supports post-doctoral researchers, think-tank staff, and practitioners producing policy-relevant research on Turkey. For the 2026–2027 period, fellows work on one of four themes: digitalisation and artificial intelligence, critical raw materials, energy transition and climate change, or Turkish foreign and security policy. Fellows are based at CATS/SWP in Berlin and publish their results through peer-reviewed CATS and SWP outlets. CATS is funded by Stiftung Mercator and the German Federal Foreign Office.

Benefits & funding

  • Monthly grant of €3,000 for the duration of the fellowship
  • Dedicated budget for research trips
  • Travel to and from Berlin at the start and end of the fellowship, covered separately by CATS
  • Additional support if a fellow is accompanied by children
  • Collaboration with CATS and SWP researchers; results published as peer-reviewed CATS/SWP work
  • Fellowship length of six to twelve months

Eligibility

  • Open to applicants of any nationality
  • Post-doctoral researchers, think-tank members, and practitioners working on Turkey-related issues; strong researchers who have not yet completed a PhD but hold a solid track record may also apply
  • Evidence of extensive research experience and significant publications is required
  • Working languages are English and German
  • The proposed research must fit one of the four listed themes

Application process

  1. 1
    Prepare a single PDF document, in English or German, containing a cover letter, a research proposal (five pages maximum), a CV with a list of publications, and copies of relevant academic transcripts and/or diplomas.
  2. 2
    Email the PDF to catsapplication@swp-berlin.org by the deadline; incomplete applications are not considered. General queries go to CATS@swp-berlin.org.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline (2026–2027 cycle)

    Apr 30, 2026

  2. Fellowships begin (at the earliest)

    2026-09