CATS Fellowships in Germany 2026–2027

Applications are now open for the CATS Fellowships 2026–2027 offered by the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin. This is a fully funded research fellowship programme for post-doctoral researchers, think tank members, and practitioners working on Turkey-related issues.

Researchers who have not yet completed their PhD but already have a strong publication record in Turkey studies can also apply. Fellowships are available in four specific research fields focused on Turkey’s role in global and regional affairs. The programme provides a monthly grant of €3,000, covers travel costs, offers a research budget, and includes extra support for families. There is no application fee. The deadline to apply is 30 April 2026. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Post-doctoral research fellowship
• Host Country: Germany
• Host Institution: Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at SWP, Berlin
• Duration: 6 to 12 months
• Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
• Application Fee: None
• Language Requirements: English or German

What This Scholarship Offers:

• A monthly grant of €3,000 for the entire fellowship period
• A dedicated budget for research trips and fieldwork
• Full coverage of travel costs to and from Berlin at the beginning and end of the fellowship
• Additional financial support if you bring children with you

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Research Topics:

For the funding period 2026–2027, CATS is offering fellowships in four priority areas:

1. Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Digitalisation and AI are transforming economies, societies, and political systems globally. Turkey has invested heavily in digital infrastructure and set ambitious targets in its national AI strategy. However, its capabilities still lag behind major players like China, the US, the UK, and the Gulf states.

Turkey’s digital trajectory matters for Germany and Europe because Turkey is a key trading partner, NATO ally, and regional actor. Its approach to AI-driven services, platform regulation, and data governance directly affects European economic interests, regulatory standards, and security.

Key questions of particular interest:

• What are the main pillars of Turkey’s digitalisation strategy? How does Turkey position itself in the global AI landscape? What are its key assumptions, motivations, goals, and limitations?
• How are AI and emerging technologies reshaping Turkey’s defence industry, threat perceptions, defence modernisation, and cyber resilience in hybrid warfare?
• To what extent have digitalisation and AI reconfigured repression mechanisms and the structure of state authority in Turkey? Does AI integration in public administration enhance governance or reinforce centralisation and executive dominance?
• How does AI influence Turkey’s policies on economic growth, industrial development, and labour market restructuring?

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2. Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)

Critical Raw Materials are essential for the green transition, digitalisation, defence, and automotive transformation. Turkey claims the world’s second-largest rare-earth element deposit, is a member of the Minerals Security Partnership (with the EU and US), and signed a 2024 MoU with China on critical minerals cooperation.

Key questions of particular interest:

• Does Turkey have a holistic strategy for extracting and processing CRMs? How is it navigating geoeconomic competition, and does this overlap or conflict with its alliance commitments?
• What role do CRMs play in Turkish foreign policy in Africa, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus? How does Turkey use CRM policy in the US–China rivalry, and what are the opportunities/challenges for EU–Turkey cooperation?
• What is the political economy of CRM extraction in Turkey? Who are the main actors and drivers, and what are the prospects for shifting from a construction-led growth model to resource-based industrial upgrading?

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3. Energy Transition and Climate Change

Energy transition and climate change are now central to Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy, with direct implications for Europe. Turkey will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 31) this year. However, it faces major structural challenges in its energy transition while dealing with increasing climate impacts (water scarcity, extreme weather).

Key questions of particular interest:

• What does Turkey’s energy transition roadmap look like? Who are the key actors, what are the assumptions and structural limitations, and what are the implications for EU–Turkey relations?
• Is there friction between the energy security aspects of Turkish foreign policy and its international climate commitments?
• How is climate change reshaping state–society relations, governance structures, and development priorities in Turkey?
• How do large-scale resource extraction and climate change affect water resources governance in Turkey?
• To what extent is water scarcity becoming a political, social conflict, and security issue rather than purely an environmental challenge?

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4. Turkish Foreign and Security Policy amid Geopolitical Turmoil

Turkey sits at the intersection of Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East. As NATO’s second-largest military power with a rapidly growing defence industry, it actively projects influence while balancing strategic autonomy, alliance commitments, and domestic constraints.

Key questions of particular interest:

• How do Turkish policymakers view the current global geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape? What are the main objectives, strategic priorities, instruments, and limitations of Turkish foreign and security policy? How do economic considerations, ideology, and regime stability shape it?
• What are the key threat perceptions, assumptions, and drivers guiding Turkish policy in the maritime domain?
• How does Turkey position itself vis-à-vis regional actors in the South Caucasus? What patterns of cooperation and competition exist with other Black Sea littoral states (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine)?
• To what extent does Turkey’s engagement in Caspian energy and regional infrastructure affect Europe’s diversification efforts and the EU’s long-term energy security strategy?

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Eligibility Criteria:

• You are a post-doctoral researcher, think tank member, or practitioner with experience in Turkey-related issues
• Or you are a researcher who has not yet finished your PhD but already have a strong publication record in Turkey studies
• You can show extensive research experience and significant academic publications
• You are ready to live full-time in Berlin during the fellowship
• No specific nationality restrictions apply. The programme is open to qualified candidates from all countries.

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How to Apply:

1. Prepare one single PDF file in English or German containing the documents in this exact order:
   • Cover letter
   • Research proposal (maximum 5 pages, 2 cm margins, 1.5 line spacing, 12pt Times New Roman font)
   • CV with a full list of your academic publications
   • Copies of your academic transcripts and/or diplomas (no translation needed)
2. Make sure your research proposal clearly explains your topic, research questions, its importance, the current state of research, and your theoretical and methodological approach.
3. Send the complete PDF by email to: [email protected]

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