Background
The European Union's ability to act is being challenged in multiple ways: internally, due to growing difficulties in reconciling the diverging interests of member states combined with overdue reforms of political decision-making structures, as well as a steady loss of trust in democratic institutions and their promise of prosperity at both national and European levels. Externally, the EU must respond to ongoing global shifts in power and the resulting changes in the international order. It must position itself politically and economically in the face of the crisis of multilateralism, a faltering transatlantic partnership, and the intensifying systemic rivalry between the United States and China — and all this against the backdrop of the increasingly dramatic consequences of global climate change. This mere outline of several of the challenges facing the EU raises fundamental questions: What should Europe do — both at the political level and in civil society — to position itself for the future? How can it implement the necessary internal reforms to be capable of effective action? How can it assert itself and pursue its interests in the economic and security realms together with partners within a new multipolar world order? And how can it do so while not losing sight of its democratic values?
To address these questions, the Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung (BKHS) is awarding the BKHS Fellowship in 2025 on the topic of "Strengthening Partner Europe!". This fellowship is closely connected to the Helmut Schmidt Lecture, which will take place in Berlin at the end of 2025, and the accompanying BKHS Magazine. Each year, the Helmut Schmidt Lecture invites a public figure to speak on a particularly relevant political and social issue — previous themes of the lecture have included Living Democracy! (2021), Speaking Up! (2022), Remaking Globalisation! (2023), and For a Just Democracy! (2024). The BKHS Magazine (#1/2021, #2/2022, #3/2023, #4/2024) brings together voices from academia, politics, art and civil society to develop specific policy recommendations for the annual theme. The BKHS also engages in political consulting through additional background discussions in Berlin and its publications (e.g., the policy brief series BKHS Perspectives).
BKHS Fellowship Design
This year, the BKHS is awarding a five-month fellowship on the topic of the 2025 Helmut Schmidt Lecture and BKHS Magazine, under the motto "Strengthening Partner Europe!". The fellowship will take place within the programme "Global Markets and Social Justice" or "Europe and International Politics", depending on the topic of research.
The fellow is requested to submit their own project proposal on this year’s topic of "Strengthening Partner Europe!". Broadly, the focus should be on strengthening Europe’s ability and capacity for action, especially through deepened collaboration with international partners. More specifically, the project could address reforms to the international order and the structures and institutions that sustain it (e.g., at the UN or WTO); the rebuilding of a viable European security architecture, including increased European defence capabilities; European led or supported actions toward a just social and ecological transformation of the global economy; or reform possibilities of EU decision-making processes. The project may either take the EU and its institutions as an actor or individual European member states and their cooperation toward common European goals. If the focus is on how Europe can expand and deepen its international partnerships, a regional focus may also be considered (e.g., European collaboration with Indo-Pacific, African, or Latin/North American states).
The fellowship will require one external publication and a policy brief in the BKHS Perspectives format. The external publication can address various target audiences depending on the topic and could consist, for example, of an opinion piece or an academic article. In addition, the fellow is required to design and implement a (virtual) knowledge transfer event (e.g., an expert roundtable or public event). The fellow will be supported by the BKHS team in the implementation.
The BKHS aims to establish a long-term relationship with the fellow beyond the duration of the fellowship
Application Requirements
- Political scientists with a background in international relations, European politics or international political economy, and in-depth knowledge in one or more of the following areas: security policy, governance, infrastructure policy, international trade policy or geo-economics.
- Sufficient time for independent academic and policy-related work
Further points to be considered:
- The fellowship is intended for political scientists at the start of their careers (either advanced doctoral candidates or Master's graduates with relevant professional experience). The BKHS does not offer funding for doctoral dissertations.
- Theoretically informed research approaches, quantitative or qualitative, are desirable. Beyond topic expertise, a strong interest in linking academia, politics and society is essential.
- In line with the BKHS’s commitment to diversity, applications are particularly welcome from individuals with non-academic family backgrounds, uneven or unconventional career paths, or individuals residing in underrepresented regions of the world.
- Very good English skills and a good knowledge of German is required. The fellow's work can be conducted in English (publications, events, etc.). However, as German is the working language in the BKHS team, good knowledge of spoken German is essential.
- The BKHS expects the fellow to be occasionally present in Hamburg during the fellowship.
- Non-EU citizens must have a residence and work permit for Germany. The BKHS unfortunately cannot assist with this process.
Scope of the BKHS Fellowship
- A five-month fellowship with a stipend of 800 euros per month (starting July/August 2025)
- Invitation to the Helmut Schmidt Lecture, the BKHS's flagship event in Berlin, which has established itself as an important meeting point for high-ranking representatives from politics, media, and civil society, as well as participation in the accompanying lecture programming
- Publication opportunities in BKHS internal formats
- Access to the BKHS network and the opportunity to work in a young, motivated and interdisciplinary team
Application Documents
The required application documents include:
- A one-page cover letter
- A one-page project proposal (concrete research question and approach, including planned sources and literature, and plan for publication and transfer event)
- A curriculum vitae with at least one reference and relevant (work) certificates.
For further questions or to apply (all documents as a single PDF file), please contact Ms. Doris Leupold. The application deadline is 15 June 2025. The selection will be made by the programme directors in collaboration with the management of the BKHS. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to participate in short interviews on Friday, June 20, 2025. There is no legal right to the granting of the BKHS Fellowship.
About the Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung
The Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung commemorates one of the most important 20th-century German statesmen. As a future-oriented think tank, it addresses issues that also interested Schmidt throughout his career. Three overarching programmes are at the heart of the foundation’s work programme: 1) European and International Politics, 2) Global Markets and Social Justice and 3) Democracy and Society.
Closely linked to these programmes, the permanent exhibition “Schmidt! Living democracy” in Hamburg’s city centre reflects almost half a century of German and international contemporary history. It places the achievements of its namesake in current and historical context. In the Helmut Schmidt-Archiv in Hamburg’s Langenhorn neighbourhood, the foundation makes the private documents of Schmidt and his wife Loki available to researchers and grants the public access to the Schmidts’ former private home.
Your data will be processed in compliance with data protection regulations. Our general data protection information in accordance with Articles 12, 13, and 14 of the GDPR can be accessed at www.helmut-schmidt.de/datenschutzerklaerung. Further details will be provided during the application process.
