TRAIN Programme: Fostering Policy Dialogue in the Western Balkans

Deadline: 15 February 2016
Open to: researchers from different think tanks across the Western Balkans region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia)
Costs: all travel and accommodation expenses reimbursed + each policy paper will be awarded a €250 grant

Description

The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) is launching its call for applications for the 2016 edition of the TRAIN Programme (Think Tanks Providing Research and Advice through Interaction and Networking).  The TRAIN Programme seeks to foster a fruitful policy dialogue between think tanks and political actors in the Western Balkans. During a series of seminars, participants will receive training on the conduct and efficient communication of policy research and will have the opportunity to exchange their research findings with decision makers in Brussels as well as at the national level. The general theme of the TRAIN Programme 2016 is the strengthening of fundamental rights in the candidate countries and potential candidate countries of South Eastern Europe.

The TRAIN Programme is divided into four key stages:

  • An introductory regional seminar;
  • A mid-term seminar in Berlin;
  • A wrap-up seminar in Brussels;
  • The dissemination stage of the programme will take place at the national level.

Eligibility

  • Open to twelve researchers from different think tanks across the Western Balkans region (providing think tanks from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia)
  • Research capacity and professionalism as demonstrated through regular publications; containing specific policy recommendations to decision-makers;
  • Participating researchers should be full employees of their respective think tank and should commit to the programme for its entire duration. They must have (co-)published at least one policy paper prior to the beginning of the programme;
  • Centrality of EU integration and related issues to the work of the think tank;
  • Experience in communicating results of their research to relevant actors such as national parliaments, national media, and political parties.

Costs

  • All travel and accommodation expenses related to the participation in the programme will be borne or reimbursed by the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP);
  • Each policy paper will be awarded a €250 grant;
  • The language editing of the final policy paper can be subsidised with up to €100 and its printing with up to €200 (upon presentation of the receipts).

How to participate?

Applications should include:

  • Completed application form;
  • CV of the prospective programme participant (max. two pages, including information on the applicant’s education, relevant work experience and publications).
To apply, please send all required documents by 15 February 2016 at the latest via email to Sarah Wohlfeld (wohlfeld@dgap.org).

For further information, please visit the official website.

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