Leadership and Management Training

Overview
Program
Learning Objectives
Participants
Benefits for Your Think Tank
Tuition Fee
How to Apply
 

Program

Image

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 sectoral experts, expand your professional network, and exchange on common challenges.

Training Times 2026

Module I – Sectoral Change and Managing Research Projects 
June 3, 2:00 PM – June 5, 6:00 PM, DGAP (Berlin) 

Online Peer-Learning Sessions – Working on Leadership Challenges 
June 18, 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM 
September 2, 09:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Module II – Leading a Team and Organizational Change 
September 9, 2:00 PM – September 11, 6:00 PM, MERICS (Berlin)
 

Learning Objectives

The Think Tank Leadership and Management Training is based upon a competency framework 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 and manage 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 through effective guidance, feedback, supervision and mentorship.

The Think Tank Lab's Leadership and Management Training is a unique opportunity to meet and network with other thinktankers and share honest insights on the challenges of the sector. It is particularly helpful for those balancing a demanding middle management role with research and impact outputs. Beyond the input sessions, it's an empowering community that helps you grow alongside your peers in changing policy times.

Sonja Hövelmann, Centre for Humanitarian Action (CHA)

Participants

The training program is open to professionals from think tanks and policy-oriented research institutions with a team leadership position. 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 990,00 (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.

For the think tankers from the EaP Think Tank Network, the network will cover the tuition fee of EUR 990 for selected participants.
To help cover travel costs, EaP TTN selected participants will receive a travel allowance of up to:

• EUR 1,000 if they reside in Ukraine and Moldova
• EUR 1.200 if they reside in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
• to EUR 500 if they reside in an EU country. 
   

How to Apply

The call for applications for the 2026 Leadership & Management Training is currently closed.

To receive updates about future opportunities, please register for our mailing list and follow us on LinkedIn.