Europe is facing mounting internal and external pressures. Democratic trust, political coopera tion and the collective capacity to act are under increasing strain. In this situation, closer coopera tion between Germany, France and Poland is of particular importance.
To respond to this challenge, the Weimar Fellowship has been established as a new, year-long leadership programme for politically engaged mid-career professionals from the three countries. Initiated by the Hertie Foundation, the Institut Montaigne and the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation, and implemented in cooperation with the European Academy Berlin, the programme creates a structured space for strategic exchange and trilateral cooperation.
The Fellowship brings together outstanding individuals from Germany, France and Poland who hold significant positions of responsibility in politics, public administration and civil society and want to actively shape the democratic future of their countries and Europe in the decade ahead.
At this pivotal juncture, the focus shifts from diagnosis to responsibility. The Weimar Triangle offers a strategic space in which mutual confidence can be strengthened and cooperation translated into joint action. The Fellowship seizes this opportunity by convening politically engaged leaders who are ready to deepen their collaboration and advance concrete initiatives.
At the heart of the programme lie in-depth exchanges on strategic issues and joint action. The programme brings together participants from politics, public administration, civil society and other sectors, encouraging them to collaborate across countries and sectors to address concrete European challenges. In addition, the programme creates spaces for reflection and offers inspiring encounters with leading figures and experts. It aims to build durable networks of future decision-makers that extend beyond existing Weimar Triangle formats.
The Weimar Fellowship: A Unique Experience and Opportunity
Do you want to deepen your understanding of shared European challenges while actively contributing to the development of solutions along side others? If so, this programme is designed for you. Through three in-person modules, you will strengthen your individual and collective strategic agency and hone your ability to channel it effectively into political and societal processes. In doing so, you will sharpen your strategic clarity and reinforce your role within a European context.
Project-based collaboration will form a central pillar of the Fellowship experience. You will contri bute your own ideas, experiences and networks initiative is both expected and actively supported. Working in transnational teams, you will develop these inputs into robust project concepts and align them towards achieving tangible, lasting impact. Throughout the programme, collective capacity for action takes centre stage.
The Fellowship takes place within a confidential, trust-based peer environment that enables open and in-depth strategic exchange. You will engage not only as a learner, but also as an active contributor and co-designer, shaping the programme alongside your peers. This trusted setting will also allow sensitive or controversial issues to be addressed openly and constructively. This exchange will be further enriched by high-level, thought-provoking encounters with senior policy makers, practitioners and experts.
What Will Participants Work On?
Joint initiatives form a core component of the programme. Fellows will work in transnational teams on concrete challenges at all levels of politics and develop solutions, including:
> pilot initiatives,
> policy proposals,
> implementation roadmaps,
> policy toolboxes,
> institutional cooperation formats, and more.
Projects are expected to generate tangible follow up beyond the Fellowship year.
Target Group and Eligibility
The Fellowship is aimed at mid-career professionals (typically aged 35–45) from Germany, France and Poland who have been in their careers for at least ten years and currently hold positions of significant responsibility. Applicants must:
> be citizens or permanent residents of Germany, France or Poland,
> demonstrate professional engagement in politics, public administration, politically engaged civil society organisations, media, policy units of companies or associations, or academia.
The programme explicitly welcomes applicants from a variety of backgrounds, including those with different social origins and perspectives, migration experiences and East/West trajectories. We are looking for individuals with strong strategic judgement who are ready to take on leadership roles in Europe’s evolving political landscape. Ideal candidates will have a strong drive to effect change at various levels of politics and be willing to contribute actively to an ambitious international peer community.
Each cohort will include around 24 participants, equally distributed across countries.
Programme Structure
From September 2026 to July 2027, the Fellowship will bring together 24 participants for three in person modules building on each other in carefully selected locations near Berlin, Warsaw and Paris. Each module blends transnational project work, peer learning, formats for inspiration and reflection, as well as on-site visits and encounters with leading practitioners and experts.
Berlin, 23–26 September 2026
Building Trust and Foundations for Cooperation
An immersive start to the Fellowship year that builds trust and community. Participants reflect on how trust and cooperation shape political agency in Europe – especially within the Weimar Triangle – and develop a shared analytical per spective on European political cooperation.
Warsaw, 3–6 March 2027
Navigating Cooperation under Pressure
The participants explore how cooperation works in concrete political contexts where trust is under pressure. They examine how historical sensitivities, diverging perceptions of threats and societal polarisation shape and impede joint action both internationally and within societies.
Paris, 7–10 July 2027
Sustaining Capacity for Joint Action
Moving from project development to implemen tation, participants explore how European and trilateral capacity to act can generate concrete impact beyond the Fellowship year. By the end, they will have developed clear project roadmaps and articulated their long-term leadership contribution within a European strategic context.
Full participation in all three modules is mandatory. Between modules, Fellows are expected to engage in regular virtual team meetings, contribute to project development and dedicate approximately three to five hours per month.
Alumni Network
After completion of the Fellowship year, participants join an active alumni network. Planned follow-up formats include annual alumni gatherings, thematic workshops, networking opportunities with partner institutions and potential small-scale support for project continuation (subject to funding availability). The aim is to build a sustainable trilateral community that has a lasting impact.
Costs, Participation and Application Procedure
Participation in the Weimar Fellowship is free of charge. All programme-related costs are covered, including travel to and from module locations, accommodation and meals during programme days.
Applications must be submitted via the online application form in English. The working language of the programme is English. Please submit your application by 30 April 2026 at the very latest.
All applications will be evaluated in a structured process and assessed by a selection committee until May 2026. Subsequently, the selected partici pants will be invited to take part in the programme.
For further questions, please contact: weimarfellowshipghstde. We also invite you to consult the FAQ before applying.
