Grant

Conference Costs – German-American Academic Relations Foundation

Support for young researchers in actively participating in international conferences on transatlantic relations as well as international security, foreign, and European policy. Continuous application; deadlines: 30.04.2026 and 30.09.

Science

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Simple
Region: Germany (nationwide)
Funding amount: up to €1,500 per person
Funding rate: 100%

Funding objective

The funding enables doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers to actively participate in international conferences and specialist meetings with their own contributions (paper presentations or posters) in the fields of transatlantic relations, Western security and foreign policy, as well as political science and sociological issues of transatlantic partnership.

Eligible expenses

  • Participation fees
  • Travel expenses
  • Accommodation costs

Non-eligible expenses

  • Participation without own conference contribution

Eligible to apply

  • Individuals

Funding requirements

  • Proof of doctoral activity (PhD candidate or post-doc)
  • Research related to transatlantic relations, Western security or foreign policy
  • Preliminary commitment to active participation (paper or poster) at an international conference or specialist meeting

Documents required for application

  1. Preliminary confirmation of conference or meeting participation
  2. Brief cover letter (max. 1 page) outlining your own contribution and relevance to the topic

Evaluation criteria

  • Scientific quality of the contribution
  • Thematic relevance to transatlantic relations or international security and foreign policy

Description

The funding line "Conference Costs" of the German-American Academic Relations Foundation supports early-career researchers in Germany by enabling doctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars to actively participate in international conferences and specialist meetings. The focus is on contributions related to transatlantic relations, Western security and foreign policy, as well as European and U.S. foreign policy issues. Only presentations of original papers or poster contributions are funded; mere attendance without a personal contribution is not considered. In this way, the foundation promotes not only professional expertise but also interdisciplinary exchange and the sustainable establishment of transatlantic networks within the research environment.

Support is provided as a 100% grant for eligible expenses up to €1,500 per person and covers participation fees, travel, and accommodation costs. Applications can be submitted continuously until April 30 and September 30 each year via the SDAW application portal. Requirements include proof of ongoing doctoral research or postdoctoral status, a preliminary acceptance for active presentation, and a brief cover letter (maximum one page) explaining the scientific contribution and its relevance to the thematic focus. The foundation selects based on scientific quality and thematic relevance, thereby promoting innovative research and transatlantic cooperation in the field of international politics and security.

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