The Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) in Berlin invites applications for its prestigious CATS Fellowships 2026/2027. This fully funded opportunity is designed for post-doctoral researchers, think tank members, and practitioners focusing on Turkey-related issues. Fellows will have the chance to collaborate with leading experts in Germany, conduct impactful research, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications. The program begins in September 2026 and offers a unique platform for international scholars to advance their work in a vibrant academic environment.
About the CATS Fellowships 2026/2027
- Host Country: Germany (Berlin)
- Duration: 6 to 12 months
- Dates: Starting September 2026 at the earliest
- Benefits: Monthly grant of €3,000, research trip budget, travel costs to/from Berlin, additional support for fellows with children
- Deadline: 30 April 2026
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Financial Benefits
- Monthly stipend of €3,000 for the duration of the fellowship
- Budget for research trips during the fellowship period
- Travel expenses to and from Berlin at the start and end of the fellowship
- Additional financial support for fellows accompanied by children
- Collaboration opportunities with CATS and SWP researchers
- Publication of research results in peer-reviewed CATS and SWP outlets
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Program Theme
The CATS Fellowships 2026/2027 focus on four major themes related to Turkey’s evolving role in global affairs:
- Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Exploring Turkey’s digital infrastructure, AI strategy, and their implications for domestic and international policy.
- Critical Raw Materials (CRMs): Investigating Turkey’s role in the extraction, processing, and policy development of CRMs, and its impact on EU and global partnerships.
- Energy Transition and Climate Change: Assessing Turkey’s energy transition roadmap, climate policy, and their effects on society, governance, and EU relations.
- Turkish Foreign and Security Policy amid Geopolitical Turmoil: Analyzing Turkey’s strategic priorities, regional influence, and security policy in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Open to international applicants from any country
- Academic Background: Post-doctoral researchers, think tank members, and practitioners working on Turkey-related issues; advanced PhD candidates with a strong research record may also apply
- Requirements:
- Extensive research experience and significant academic publications
- Strong proposal relevant to one of the specified themes
- Willingness to reside in Berlin for the fellowship duration (except for research trips)
- Working proficiency in English or German
- Application Documents:
- Cover letter
- Research proposal (max 5 pages, including research questions, methodology, relevance, and bibliography)
- Curriculum Vitae with publication list
- Academic transcripts and/or diplomas (no translation required)
- Selection Criteria:
- Academic and professional merit
- Relevance to identified research fields
- Coherence and feasibility of the project
- Potential for public outreach
- Preference for applicants who have not previously received CATS funding (in case of equal merit)
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How to Apply for the CATS Fellowships 2026/2027?
Interested candidates should submit their application as a single PDF file in English or German, containing all required documents in the specified order. Applications must be sent via email to catsapplication@swp-berlin.org by the deadline. For detailed information and updates, please visit the official CATS website.
Yasir is currently a master’s student at Bilkent University on a fully funded scholarship. He has a strong passion for technology, innovation, and creating meaningful impact through digital platforms. Yasir’s goal is to make education more accessible by helping students discover global opportunities and take confident steps toward their future.