Call for Applications Now Open
Overview
Information Webinar
Program
Learning Objectives
Participants
Benefits for Your Think Tank
Tuition Fee
How to Apply
Information Webinar
For interested participants and organizations, an information webinar will take place on March, 26, 2025, from 12:00 – 01.00 PM (CET). To participate, please register here.
Program
Through a combination of expert input and practical exercises, you will gain tools and methods to excel in your role and apply appropriate practices for agile think tank work.
The training offers a great opportunity to connect with peers and industry experts, expand your professional network, and exchange on common challenges.
Training Times
Module I – Sectoral Change and Managing Research Projects
September 17, 2:00 PM – September 19 , 6:00 PM, MERICS (Berlin)
Online Peer-Learning Sessions – Working on Leadership Challenges
September 23, 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM
October 7, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Module II – Leading a Team and Organizational Change
October 15, 2:00 PM – October 17, 6:00 PM, DGAP(Berlin)
Learning Objectives
The Think Tank Leadership and Management Training is specifically designed to enhance critical leadership skills in the “business of expertise”, tailored to the think tank (or “applied research”) environment. During the program, you will apply practical management approaches and reflect on sectoral shifts as well as your leadership responsibilities.
After completing the program, you will be able to:
- Understand sectoral change and its implications for the “business of expertise” and the role of think tanks;
- Develop and position impactful research strategies in an evolving market of ideas;
- Design effective research projects in a think tank environment (planning, budgeting, managing, and evaluating);
- Define and advance your role within and beyond your organization;
- Shape organizational development – bottom up, top down, and across teams;
- Catalyze team success by guiding, supervising, and mentoring your team members and giving them feedback and assessments effectively.
Participants
The training program is open to professionals from think tanks and policy-oriented research institutions with a team leadership position based in Germany. Participants should have research project management as at least one of their responsibilities.
Benefits for Your Think Tank
- Strengthen staff and leadership capacities;
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaborative problem-solving, and continuous improvement;
- Adapt to evolving policy landscapes and stakeholder expectations;
- Set impulses for organizational change in the think tank landscape;
- Expand networks and partnerships with think tanks and key stakeholders.
Tuition Fee
Participation in the Leadership and Management Training is possible for a fee of EUR 790,00 (excl. statutory VAT).
The tuition fee covers all expert lectures, learning materials as well as lunch and coffee breaks. The fee does not include travel and accommodation. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering these.
How to Apply
To apply for the Leadership and Management Training, please complete the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM, which asks you to describe your motivation and leadership challenges, and upload the following documents:
• A CV indicating your professional experience in think tanks/research institutions.
• A letter of support from your current employer. A template can be found here.
The application deadline is May 4, 2025.
The participants of the 2025 cohort will be announced no later than May 20, 2025.
Selection Process
Participants will be selected on the basis of their experience and expertise, their challenges, and on how the program will support them at this point in their career. The Think Tank Lab team will take into consideration the background of other participants to ensure a diverse cohort.
