Application Deadline: April 3, 2024, 12 noon (CEST).
The re:constitution Fellowships provide a unique opportunity for early-career scholars and practitioners to work and publish on an issue related to democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Our unique Fellowship concept centered around the mobility and a network of Fellows helps to bridge the gap between academia and practice and promotes exchange and debate across borders and disciplines.
The program enables Fellows to contribute to the debate on the state and future of the constitution of the European Union, encourages exchange and debate across and within national positions in the Union and its neighborhood, across academia and practice. Based on a unique concept centered around mobility for collaboration combined with opportunities of exchange and a European Alumni Network, the Fellowship program is designed to contribute to safeguarding and strengthening the rule of law, democracy and the respect of fundamental rights.
Eligibility
re:constitution invites applications from residents* in the European Union, non-EU EEA countries, EU candidate countries in active accession negotiations or pursuing the start of negotiations,** as well as from residents in Switzerland and the United Kingdom in the early stages of their careers as
- SCHOLARS holding a PhD in law/legal studies and/or political sciences, social sciences, philosophy or other neighboring disciplines (focusing on issues on and around democracy and/or the rule of law in Europe). Your PhD research should have been completed no more than 10 years ago. Scholars who are still working on their dissertation may be eligible if their PhD is close to completion (within a year).
- PRACTITIONERS look for as
- Government officials (eg policy advisors) from central authorities and local self-government bodies,
- Judges, magistrates, prosecutors, law clerks and other legal professions or practicing lawyers (attorneys)
- NGO/think tank legal/policy experts working on rule of law and democracy Europe,
- Journalists reporting on the rule of law and/or democracy in Europe,
- General researchers/legal experts working on questions pertaining to the rule of law and/or democracy Europe
Benefits
Independence for scholars and practitioners to research and publish on an issue of their choice connected to democracy and the rule of law in the EU.
Funding for mobility via collaboration with select host institutions across the EU, non-EU EEA, EU candidate countries, the UK or CH, offering new personal and remote work and exchange opportunities.
Exchange and debate on topical projects in high-quality and flexible environment of mutual learning and debate among scholars, legal practitioners and journalists from across Europe.
Networking through multi-faceted exchange about democracy and the rule of law in personal meetings with leading experts and decision makers from across Europe and different backgrounds offering diverse perspectives.
Shaping the future re:constitution alumni network to build a sustainable community of knowledge with potential for further collaboration and support.
Support by the coordination team and access to a secure digital collaborative working space provided by Forum Transregionale Studien.
Opportunities to become involved in the broader analytical work of the re:constitution program run by DRI, based on interests and availability.
Training courses to promote Fellows’ further career development, particularly in the areas of interdisciplinary, intersectoral or transregional competences or to expand methodological knowledge.
How to apply
Please submit your application via our secure online application platform by April 3, 2024, 12 noon CEST : https://application.trafo-berlin.de/ .
Please make sure to choose the correct Fellowship Track (1 or 2) when starting the application process. We only accept one application per person.
Important! Applications by e-mail will not be considered!
As part of your application, you will be asked to prepare and upload the following:
- Curriculum vitae including a list of publications (2-3 pages),
- Project outline (2-3 pages),
- Short abstract of your project (max. 300 words),
- Two references (university faculty members or practitioners in a field relevant to your project). Please note: Letters of recommendation are NOT REQUIRED.
- Potential host institutions (your preferred research and practice institutions in Europe to spend part of your mobility period, ideally including an indication of preferred dates and/or existing personal contacts. By the time of submitting your application you are not yet required to organize your stays .)
More Info: re:constitution Fellowships