The Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, is offering fellowships to researchers, think tank members, and practitioners working on Turkey-related issues. Researchers who have not yet completed their PhD but have a solid track record in research on Turkey may also apply.
Turkey’s strategic location, its NATO membership, its economic ties with the EU, the rapid progress of its arms industry, its growing presence in the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, its centrality for migration routes both as a transit and host country, and the complex dynamics within the Turkish diaspora across Europe make the country an indispensable actor for Germany and the EU. Yet, divergences in interests, perceptions and visions also abound and are weakening the basis for mutual trust. All of this renders sound analyses of the Turkish political landscape, societal developments, and foreign and security policy orientations highly relevant to Germany and Europe. This is heightened amid growing regional and global uncertainties.
To this end, CATS offers fellowships for the funding period 2025/2026. We welcome applications on topics in a variety of areas, ranging from political and social dynamics within Turkey to the country’s position in the European and transatlantic system and its surrounding regions. Applicants are encouraged to build linkages between their proposed research and applicable policy. Evidence of extensive research experience and significant publications, both in number and relevance, would be an asset.
The selected CATS fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from CATS and the SWP. Research results could appear in the form of peer-reviewed CATS and SWP publications. The working languages are English and/or German.
Fellowships will be granted for a period of six to twelve months, starting in September 2025 at the earliest. Fellows are expected to reside in Berlin for the duration of their fellowship (except during planned research trips) and will receive a monthly grant of €2,800 – €3,000 (depending on their level of seniority), as well as a budget for research trips. Travel costs to and from Berlin at the beginning and end of the fellowship will also be covered separately by CATS. If a fellow is accompanied by children during the fellowship period, additional support is available.
Applications must be submitted in the form of a single PDF document containing the following elements (in the specified order) in English or German:
Applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of CATS team members, selected experts from the SWP and from the CATS Network partner institutions. The committee will place particular emphasis on the following criteria:
Among applications of equal merit, preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received CATS funding.
The deadline for 2025/2026 fellowship applications is 12.05.2025. Please email your application as a single PDF document to CATS@swp-berlin.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For more information about the CATS Network, please see: https://www.cats-network.eu/
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