CATS Fellowship Programs 2026 for International Students
Applications are now open for the CATS Fellowship Programs 2026 in Germany. International applicants from around the world are encouraged to apply for this fellowship opportunity based in Berlin. The program is designed to enhance participants’ knowledge while contributing to real-world policy discussions, particularly on topics related to Turkey, including its domestic political developments, social transformations, and evolving relationships with Europe, NATO, and neighboring regions. The Centre for Applied Turkey Studies offers these fellowships to scholars, think tank professionals, and practitioners working on Turkey-related issues.
The CATS Fellowship Program for the 2026–2027 academic year offers a valuable opportunity to work in one of Europe’s leading policy research environments. Hosted by the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, this prestigious fellowship allows scholars to conduct in-depth, policy-oriented research. The program aims to enhance understanding and support informed decision-making in the context of evolving regional dynamics and EU–Turkey relations.
CATS operates within SWP and plays a key role in providing research-based insights to policymakers, the public, and the media across Germany and Europe. Applications are also open to researchers with strong expertise in Turkey-related studies, even if they do not hold a PhD. Selected fellows will collaborate with experts at SWP and CATS, and their research may be published in peer-reviewed formats. The working languages for the fellowship are German and English.
CATS Fellowship Programs 2026 Details
| Offered by: | Centre for Applied Turkey Studies |
| Duration: | 6-12 Months |
| Fellowship coverage: | Fully Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award country: | Germany |
| Last date: | 30 April 2026 |
Financial Benefits
CATS Fellowship Programs 2026 in Germany for international students covers the following benefits:
Stipend: Depending on seniority, a monthly payment of €2,800 to €3,000.
Extra Benefits:
- Research travel budget.
- Travel costs to Berlin, round-trip, paid.
- Extra family assistance if kids are staying with you.
- Additionally, fellows will gain from cooperation between the SWP and CATS teams.
- Possibility of publication in peer-reviewed CATS/SWP journals.
- access to Berlin’s thriving international research community.
Research Theme
The CAT fellowship funds creative endeavors in the following areas:
- Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)
- Energy Transition and Climate Change
- Turkish Foreign and Security Policy amid Geopolitical Turmoil
Documents Required
- Cover Letter – 1 page, indicating preferred start date and duration
- Scanned copies of academic transcripts.
- A research proposal should be no more than five pages, 1.5 spaces, 12 points, Times New Roman, and include the following topics:
- title, goals, and policy relevance.
- Review of the literature and current research
- Framework for methodology and theory
- List of references
- Updated Curriculum vitae (CV) or Resume
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the CATS Fellowship Programs 2026 in Germany, you must fulfill these eligibility criteria:
- Policy experts, think tank members, and seasoned researchers are tackling problems about Turkey.
- Early-career academics with a strong research record, including PhD candidates who have made significant strides in studies with a Turkish focus.
- Candidates who are keen to connect their scholarly work to the influence of policy.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the CATS Fellowship Programs 2026 in Germany for international students is 30th April 2026.
How to Apply for CATS Fellowship Programs?
- Applications for fellowships must be submitted by 30 April 2026.
- Kindly send your application to CATS@swp-berlin.org in a single PDF file.
- Applications that are not complete will not be accepted.
- We will store, process, and distribute the data to the selection committee as part of the application process.
- Kindly review our privacy statement.
- You can object at any time by sending an email to catsapplication@swp-berlin.org if you disagree with how SWP processes your data.
