Europe is facing mounting internal and external challenges. Democratic trust, political cooperation and the collective capacity to act are coming under increasing strain. In this situation, closer collaboration between Germany, France and Poland – three core European countries – is of particular importance.
That is why Hertie Foundation and its partners in France and Poland – the Institut Montaigne and the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation – have established the Weimar Fellowship, a new year-long leadership programme for candidates from the countries in the Weimar Triangle, organised in cooperation with the European Academy Berlin.
The program
The Weimar Fellowship brings together politically engaged mid-career leaders with roles in politics, public administration, civil society and other areas who want to actively shape the democratic future of their countries and Europe.
In three in-person modules held between September 2026 and July 2027 in Berlin, Warsaw, Paris and beyond, the Fellowship creates space for strategic exchange, trilateral cooperation and joint action, complemented by inspiring encounters with leading policymakers, academics and practitioners.
Besides analysing common European challenges, the programme primarily focuses on translating ideas into concrete initiatives in order to achieve a lasting impact. Project-based collaboration in transnational teams will therefore be a key element, with fellows contributing their own ideas, experiences and networks and working together to develop viable project approaches that can continue beyond the Fellowship year.
Procedure and application
The aim of the Fellowship is to establish and consolidate networks in civil society and professional contexts, made up of future decision-makers in the three countries. Participants will become part of an active trilateral alumni network beyond their Fellowship year.
You can find further information about the programme in the call for applications. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us (see below for contact details). Please also refer to our FAQs.
To apply for the 2026/2027 Fellowship year, please click here by no later than 30 April 2026.