Next-Geo Geoeconomics Research Fellowship

The Kiel Institute for the World Economy runs Next-Geo, a one-year research and training fellowship in geoeconomics for advanced PhD students and early postdocs based at European universities. Each year a cohort of around 10 junior scholars works on their own research or policy project with senior mentors, in cooperation with CEPR, Bocconi University's Institute for European Policymaking and Oxford's Department of Economics, funded by Stiftung Mercator. It is an add-on to your PhD or postdoc, not a job: you stay at your home institution throughout.

What you get:

• Lectures and research training at the research frontier in geoeconomics, from Kiel Institute researchers and external scholars
• Mentoring from senior scholars on your own research or policy project
• Travel and accommodation covered for the in-person modules
• Access to a pool of four student research assistants hired at the Kiel Institute for promising projects
• Funding for data purchases or AI subscriptions for promising projects
• A chance to present at the Kiel-CEPR Conference on Geoeconomics and compete for best research paper or best policy brief
• Possible publication of the best projects as Kiel Institute or CEPR working papers or policy briefs, and a certificate of participation

What you'll do:

• Present your project idea at an online kick-off in winter
• Attend a multi-day lecture and research training module in Kiel and/or Berlin in spring
• Join a research and policy workshop in Berlin or another European city in summer, including exchanges with policymakers and think tanks
• Finish at the Kiel-CEPR Conference on Geoeconomics in Berlin in autumn
• Complete a research or policy project in geoeconomics by the end of the year

Key dates:

• Applications submitted by October 31, 2026 are guaranteed full consideration
• Selection of the 2027 cohort finalised by the end of November 2026
• Online kick-off in winter, in-person modules in spring and summer, closing conference in Berlin in autumn 2027

More information:

• Full call and application form on the Kiel Institute's call for applications page
• Contact: Viktoria Ivcenko, Viktoria.Ivcenko@kielinstitut.de

• Advanced PhD candidate or early postdoc, with the program starting no more than 2.5 years after your PhD
• Enrolled or employed at a European university or research institution; European nationals at institutions overseas may be eligible in selected cases
• Economics, or exceptionally a closely related quantitative research field
• Working on geoeconomic research, for example economic security, trade coercion, industrial policy, sanctions, global financial flows, economic aid, energy transition or defence economics
• Excellent CV and track record, and excellent English
• Apply with a CV, cover letter, 1-page research project sketch, a writing sample such as a third-year or job market paper, and the names of two potential references
• Successful candidates must provide proof of enrolment or employment and, if employed, written permission from their employer to take part