CATS Fellowships 2026–2027 in Germany (Fully Funded Research Fellowship)

The Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) is inviting applications for the CATS Fellowships 2026–2027 in Germany. This prestigious fellowship is designed for post-doctoral researchers, think tank experts, practitioners, and advanced PhD researchers working on Turkey-related issues. Hosted in Berlin, the fellowship offers scholars an opportunity to conduct policy-relevant research while collaborating with leading experts at CATS and SWP.

The fellowship duration ranges from six to twelve months, beginning in September 2026, and selected fellows will receive a monthly stipend of €3,000, along with research travel funding and additional family support for fellows accompanied by children.

Degree Level

The CATS Fellowships 2026–2027 are available for:

Postdoctoral researchers
PhD researchers with a strong publication record
Think tank researchers
Policy practitioners

Available Subjects

Applicants may submit proposals in the following research areas:

Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence
Critical Raw Materials
Energy Transition and Climate Change
Turkish Foreign and Security Policy

These themes focus on the evolving domestic and international dynamics of Turkey and their implications for Europe.

Benefits

Selected fellows will receive the following benefits:

Monthly grant of €3,000
Budget for research trips
Travel costs to and from Berlin covered
Additional support for fellows accompanied by children
Collaboration opportunities with CATS and SWP researchers
Publication opportunities in peer-reviewed CATS and SWP outputs

This fellowship provides not only financial support but also access to an influential research and policy network in Europe.

Eligible Nationalities

The fellowship is open to all nationalities. Researchers from around the world with expertise in Turkey-related political, economic, technological, or environmental issues are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Academic and professional merit
Relevance to the fellowship themes
Feasibility and coherence of the research project
Public outreach value

Preference may be given to applicants who have not previously received CATS funding.

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit one PDF file in English or German containing the following documents:

Cover Letter
Research Proposal (maximum five pages), including:
- Research topic overview
- Research questions/objectives
- Academic and policy relevance
- Literature overview
- Theoretical and methodological framework
- Bibliography
Curriculum Vitae, including publications
Relevant academic transcripts and diplomas

Applications must be emailed as a single PDF to:

CATSapplication@swp-berlin.org

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the CATS Fellowships 2026–2027 is:

30 April 2026

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the CATS Fellowship 2026–2027?

The fellowship is open to postdoctoral scholars, advanced PhD researchers, think tank members, and practitioners with proven expertise in Turkey-related research.

Is the CATS Fellowship fully funded?

Yes. The fellowship provides a €3,000 monthly stipend, research travel funding, travel expenses to and from Berlin, and additional child support if applicable.