Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies
The Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies, initiated by and established at Freie Universität Berlin in 1986, promotes a new generation of young North American scholars with specialized knowledge of modern and contemporary Germany and Europe. The program supports scholars in all social science and humanities disciplines, including historians working on German and European history since the mid-18th century. Fellowships are awarded for doctoral dissertation research as well as postdoctoral research. Approximately twelve fellows are selected each year. The program’s mission is two-fold: To contribute to the training of a new generation of young North American scholars specializing in Germany and Europe and to deepen the understanding of German and European political, economic, social and cultural developments in North America.
The program offers a stimulating academic environment that combines excellent research opportunities at one of Germany’s most distinguished research universities with intellectual and cultural interaction. Our colloquium serves as a central meeting point for all fellows to share, discuss, and support each other’s work.
Essential to the program’s mission is our close cooperation with our North American partner, the German Studies Association (GSA) – the largest organization of scholars, professionals, and students who focus on the study of German-speaking Europe from all periods of history and all relevant disciplines (www.thegsa.org). Each year, our Summer Workshop and the GSA Distinguished Lecture at Freie Universität Berlin as well as our Alumni Panel at the GSA Annual Conference in the U.S. provide a forum for scholarly exchange and seek to strengthen ties between fellows, alumni, and the academic community in Berlin and beyond.