Call for Applications: Junior and Senior Fellowships 2015-2016

The School of Public Policy at Central European University (SPP) and the Central European University Institute for Advanced Study (CEU IAS) in Budapest, and the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin invite applications from researchers from nine countries (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, and Turkey) to participate in the Global Challenges Fellowship program 2015/16.

Call for Applications: Junior and Senior Fellowships 2015-2016

The School of Public Policy at Central European University (SPP) and the Central European
University Institute for Advanced Study (CEU IAS) in Budapest, and the Global Public Policy Institute
(GPPi) in Berlin invite applications from researchers from nine countries (Brazil, China, India,
Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, and Turkey) to participate in the Global Challenges
Fellowship program 2015/16. The goal of this unique collaborative program is to forge closer ties
between Europe and researchers from outside the “established West,” and to encourage the
development of fresh perspectives on some of the world’s most pressing global public policy
challenges.

Beginning in September 2015, Global Challenges Fellows will spend approximately 7-8 months
doing analytical, policy, and empirical work at SPP, CEU IAS in Budapest and at GPPi in Berlin where
they will engage with policy practitioners. Although the precise timetable will vary depending on the
fellow’s research project, it is expected that fellows will spend most of the time (about 75%) in
Budapest. The deadline for applications is midnight March 30, 2015 (Central European Time,
GMT 1).

Fellows will conduct research for journal articles and/or policy papers and will participate in a
series of small working group discussions and seminars. Researchers at SPP, CEU IAS, and GPPi will
engage with fellows during and after their fellowship to build a community of professionals who
share a commitment to improving policy outcomes on a range of key global challenges. During the
fellowship, the three institutions will assist fellows in developing professional networks with the
academic and policy research communities in Budapest and Berlin, laying the foundation for lasting
engagement and exchange. Fellows will work on a concrete project within one of five research areas
that leads to a publication in the form of an academic piece (a working paper/ journal article) and/or a
policy paper that builds on academic research.

Junior and senior level fellowships are available in the following areas:

  • Peace & security
  • Humanitarian assistance & human rights
  • Development & good governance
  • Internet governance
  • Changing global institutions

GCF is made possible thanks to generous support from the Volkswagen Foundation.

Eligibility, qualifications, experience

  • 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 resident in these countries at the time of application.
  • Applicants must hold an academic degree (Master’s, PhD, or equivalent) in the social sciences or humanities and have at least three years of professional experience (in the case of junior fellows) and 15 years of professional experience (in the case of senior fellows) at the time of their application.
  • Applicants are expected to be able to communicate fluently in English (in speaking & writing) as this is the working language of the program.
  • Applicants must have a demonstrated record of policy engagement.
  • Full time CEU employees and graduates are not eligible to apply for 6 years after the ending of their studies/contract (degrees must be received and contracts must have ended by December 31, 2008 or earlier). Part time/temporary employees of CEU are not eligible for 3 years after their contract ended (their contract must have ended by December 31, 2011 or earlier).

Terms and conditions

  • Fellowships run for a maximum of eight months. Fellows will spend about 75% of their time at SPP/CEU in Budapest and 25% at GPPi in Berlin. Applications for shorter stays (a minimum of four months) will be considered in exceptional cases. 
  • Fellows will work on a defined project within one of the five designated research areas and will be expected to produce a publication in the form of an academic piece (a working paper/journal article) and/or a policy paper that builds on their academic research.
  • SPP and CEU IAS provide a stimulating environment in which fellows can devote themselves to their research and share their work with peers through weekly seminars and other community programs. Fellows have access to all CEU facilities, including seminar and conference spaces, computer services, and library resources. They also benefit from CEU’s vibrant international atmosphere, its strong ties in the region, and its location in culturally rich Budapest.
  • Fellows receive an allowance for accommodation in Budapest and Berlin and a monthly stipend. Fellows are expected to reside in Budapest and Berlin, accordingly, during their fellowship, participate in the intellectual life of the School and IAS, and pursue their research agenda.
  • Senior fellows will receive a net monthly stipend of 2,500 Euros; junior fellows will receive a net monthly stipend of 1,500 Euros for the duration of the program to help support their stay in Budapest and Berlin. In addition, all fellows and their families receive a housing allowance in Budapest and Berlin. Fellows also receive limited travel funds (up to 2,000 Euros) for travel to and from their home country and between Budapest and Berlin, as well as health insurance.

How to apply?
Fellowship applications must be submitted online as detailed below.

  • Step 1: Register at this website: https://studentinfo.ceu.hu/acad/ias/
  • Step 2: After registration, you will receive a password which you must use to complete the application form and upload the required documents in pdf format here: https://studentinfo.ceu.hu/acad/ias/
  • You may save your work, and log back in and submit the application at a later time.
  • All applications must be submitted by midnight March 30, 2015 (Central European Time, GMT 1).

You will be required to submit the following material with your application:

  • The online application form.
  • A short description of your research/policy project (max. 1,000 words not including references).
  • A CV including your most important work and publications as well as a record of policy engagement (max. 2,000 words).
  • A writing sample (max. 8,000 words).
  • For junior applicants ONLY: the name and email address of a referee.

Selection criteria
Fellows will be chosen by a selection committee with representatives from the three program
partners. The selection process will include interviews with shortlisted candidates. The selection
committee will consider primarily the quality of the research proposal, publication record, research
agenda, relevance and feasibility of proposed project, record of policy engagement, and English
language proficiency. Applicants will be notified when their applications have been received, and will
be notified of the result of the evaluation process by the end of April 2015. We will not share reviews
with the applicants.

Questions?
For further information regarding the application process, the GCF program, and the three program
partners, please visit the program website at globalchallengesfellowship.net. Questions and
comments may be sent to gcf@ceu.edu.

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