School of Public Policy at Central European University (SPP)

The Global Challenges Fellowship assembles scholars from rising non-Western powers to explore questions in the humanities or social sciences relevant to the most pressing public policy challenges of the 21st century. GCF fosters new forms of scientific collaboration and enhances transnational and interdisciplinary cooperation between regional and international partners.

The aim of the Global Challenges Fellowship Program (GCFP) is to invite researchers and practitioners from nine emerging countries to the School of Public Policy at Central European University (SPP) and the Central European University Institute for Advanced Study (CEU IAS) in Budapest, Hungary and the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin, Germany to foster new forms of collaboration. This serves the ultimate purpose of forging closer ties between Western and non-Western researchers and policy makers, offering fresh perspectives on some of the world’s most pressing public policy challenges, challenges which can only be resolved together.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants (in particular those working in the field of public policy) from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa and Turkey are eligible to apply. Applicants must be residents of these countries at the time of application.
• Applicants must hold an academic degree (master’s, PhD or equivalent) in the social sciences, humanities and/or law.
• Applicants must have at least three years of demonstrated professional experience at the time of application. Those with at least 15 years of demonstrated policy-making experience or seven years of experience since earning their PhDs will be considered for the senior fellowship. Other applicants will be considered for the junior fellowship. Please indicate and substantiate your request to be considered for a senior fellowship in your cover letter.
• Applicants must be able to communicate fluently (speaking and writing) in English, the working language of the program.
• Applicants must have a demonstrated record of policy engagement and submit an innovative research proposal.
• Full-time CEU employees and graduates are ineligible to apply within six years of the completion of their studies or contracts (i.e., degrees must have been received and contracts must have ended no later than December 31, 2010). Part-time or temporary employees of CEU are ineligible within three years of the completion of their contracts (i.e., contracts must have ended no later than December 31, 2013).

Benefits:

• The fellows spend a total of approximately 7-8 months as Global Challenges Fellows (GCF) doing analytical and empirical work in Budapest, and engaging with policy practitioners at GPPi in Berlin.
• While the exact timetable depends on the specifications of each research project, the majority of time (about 75%) is spent in Budapest.
• Fellows receive an allowance for accommodation in Budapest and Berlin as well as a monthly stipend. Fellows are expected to reside in Budapest and Berlin during their fellowship, pursue their research agendas and participate in the intellectual life of SPP and IAS CEU.
• Senior fellows will receive a net monthly stipend of 2,500 Euros for the duration of the program to help support their stay in Budapest and Berlin. Junior fellows will receive a net monthly stipend of 1,500 Euros. In addition, all fellows will receive a housing allowance for their stays in Budapest and Berlin. Fellows also receive limited funds (up to 2,000 Euros) for travel to and from their home country and between Budapest and Berlin, as well as health insurance coverage.

Selection Criteria

• The selection is based on good publication record, promising research agenda, relevance and feasibility of the proposed project, record of policy engagement and English language proficiency.

The program supports up to two junior and two senior Fellows per year. During their fellowship, they publish journal articles and/or policy papers and participate in a series of small working group-style discussions and seminars. Fellows’ work is situated within one of the following focal research areas:

• Development and governance
• Internet Governance
• Changing global institutions

The Global Challenges Fellowship Program is implemented with generous support from the Volkswagen Foundation.

How to Apply