Grant Application

The EIZ in cooperation with the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), offers two short-term research grants at BMW Center for German and European Studies an der Georgetown University in Washington D.C. (CGES) in 2023.
As successful applicant you will get the chance to spend four months at the CGES conducting independent, advanced research. You will get access to their research facilities and libraries and you can profit from their strong marketing department and their wide network. The grant of total 20’800 USD will give you the freedom to focus entirely on your research.
 
About the CGES
The BMW Center for German and European Studies (CGES) serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research and teaching on modern Europe, with an emphasis on cultural studies, economics, history, and political science. CGES takes pride in carrying out its central mission: to educate the next generation of transatlantic leaders. 
CGES began as one of three North American “DAAD Centers of Excellence” founded in 1990 with a generous ten-year grant from the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1996, the university received a $10 million permanent gift from BMW AG to support CGES after 2000. CGES maintains close and ongoing partnerships with the German government, the DAAD, and BMW. Over the years, the center has developed new partnerships with the French Embassy Network of Centers of Excellence as well as the official representatives of the European Commission and European Parliament in Washington, DC.
 
Eligibility
The competition is open to outstanding and award winning scholars, practitioners, journalists and public intellectuals (individuals in higher Education Institutions or individual researchers) who want to push forward their new and evolving perspectives on historical and current events.
Priority will be given to post-docs scholars and individuals in higher education Institutions working on issues of central interest to the CGES.
The applicant must fulfil the following requirements:
 
- The applicant must have a master's degree of state-recognized university;
- The applicant must have the Swiss citizenship or a valid Swiss residence permit;
- The applicant must be fluent in both written and spoken English.
 
Benefits and Responsibilities
This is a residential scholarship program. The EIZ, through an agreement of administrative logistic support with the Wilson Center, will provide a 5,200 USD per month stipend, broken down as follows: housing & living, room & board allowance, round trip airfare, and health insurance.
The stipend will be awarded through a contract signed between the EIZ and the successful applicants. The Center will offer working space and access to digital resources, its book and journal collections, university and special libraries in the Washington metropolitan area, and other research facilities.
While at the CGES, you will be expected to pursue full-time independent research and writing based on the topic outlined in their proposal, submitted at the time of application. You will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, and conferences organized by the CGES, as well as to contribute to the intellectual life of the CGES, the Georgetown University, and the larger Washington, D.C. scholarly community.
In addition the scholars must publish two contributions on their current work and write a 1-2 pages report on their experiences at the CGES once they get back from D.C.
Although you will be responsible for locating your own housing in the Washington, D.C. area, the Center provides housing suggestions to help facilitate the search process.
 
Deadlines for 2024
Deadline for submitting applications to the EIZ:
31 Ocotober 2023
 
Final selection:
December 2023
 
Start of the Short term Research Fellowship Program:
according to individual agreement
 
Application Requirements & Guidelines:
- a one page cover letter outlining your motivation, the title of your research, and the desired starting date;
- a professional curriculum vitae (please indicate your birthdate);
- a brief description of the proposed research project (max. 5 pages, double spaced), including:
the title of your research;
-a detailed explanation of the research topic;
- discussion of the methods, approaches, sources, and materials to be used;
- a discussion of the project’s originality, its scholarly contribution, and its relevance in relation to contemporary issues future research;
- plan for the time after your stay at the CGES.
 
Selection Criteria
- significance of the proposed research, including the importance, and originality of the project;
- relevance for the CGES;
- academic achievements of the applicant.
 
A panel of experts selected by the EIZ will review all the applications and make recommendations for the final selection of the CGES. The representatives of the CGES, in collaboration with the EIZ, will make the final selection.
 
Contact
Janick Elsener
Europa Institut at the University of Zurich
Hirschengraben 56
CH-8001 Zürich
Switzerland
e-mail: janick.elsener[at]eiz.uzh.ch
tel.: +41 44 634 48 91