📢 Call for Applications: Young Public Intellectuals Exchange (European Applicants)

Following applicants requests, the deadline for applications to the YPI Program has been extended to 03 August 2025.

Are you a young academic or intellectual based in Europe looking for cross-border engagement, training, and mentorship?

With the support of Stiftung Mercator, 1984 Association (D84, an independent non-profit association based in Türkiye, dedicated to fostering rational public debate and strengthening democratic discourse) invites applications from young academics and experts across Europe to participate in the Intellectual Bridges: Türkiye – Europe Young Public Intellectual Exchange Project. The program aims to encourage young academics and intellectuals to form and foster partnerships across Türkiye and Europe to learn from each other and to strengthen their capacity as public intellectuals.

This program is a unique opportunity for 15 participants to engage with peers from Türkiye, participate in an international training in Amsterdam (25-29 August 2025), and join policy forums in the Balkans (Spring 2026).

A similar training will be organized in November 2025 for young academics and intellectuals based in Türkiye, who will later be brought together with their peers from Europe through a series of online and in-person forums to exchange ideas, co-develop publications, and contribute to cross-border dialogue on key political and social issues.

About the Program

This intensive week-long program brings together emerging scholars and practitioners in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and civic engagement for a unique transnational experience. Hosted in Amsterdam, the program offers a dynamic blend of academic seminars, interactive panels, and institutional visits designed to deepen understanding of pressing political challenges in Europe, Türkiye, and the broader region.

Participants will engage in high-level discussions on topics such as regional developments in Europe and the Middle East, new European security architecture, digital activism, democratic backsliding, environmental governance, and migration. In addition, they will receive practical workshops on public speaking, scientific communication and social media.

The initiative stems from the third mission of academia which is the scientific communication with the greater public for social impact alongside two major roles of research and education, enhancing their role in community engagement and societal development. 

The program will feature a wide range of scholars and professionals from institutions such as the Vrije Universiteit and a policy panel with key EU officials, offering participants an unparalleled opportunity to connect theory with practice.

🔹 Why Apply?

✔ Participate in a high-quality training program on public intellectualism, media engagement, and emerging global issues
✔ Receive structured mentorship from senior experts
✔ Join international forums and discuss polarization, democracy, and global politics
✔ Work on collaborative research and communication projects with peers from Türkiye
✔ Gain new skills to become better researchers, public speakers and team members
✔ Publish op-eds, podcasts, and videos (improve your ability to communicate effectively and to represent yourselves and results of your work)
✔ Become part of an active alumni network, and stay informed about future exchange and collaboration opportunities offered by Stiftung Mercator and D84

🔹 Who Can Apply?

  • 18-35 years old young academics, experts, and intellectuals based in Europe
  • Committed to public discourse, democracy, and cross-border collaboration

Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree and be either:

  • currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD program in the fields of social sciences, humanities, or interdisciplinary studies, or
  • have completed their most recent graduate degree (master’s or PhD) within the past three years.

The three-year criterion does not apply to early-career professionals currently working in media, civil society organizations, think tanks, or universities (e.g. researchers, lecturers), regardless of their graduation date.

Please see and review the detailed eligibility requirements below.

📌 Full Program Structure (Mandatory Participation)

✅ Training in Amsterdam (hosted by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (25-29 August 2025)
✅ Joint International Forums in the Balkans (Spring 2026)
✅ One-on-one mentorship (Following the training, Online)
✅Collaborative research/media projects & production (op-eds, podcasts, videos) of participants from Türkiye and Europe.

🔍 What to Expect in Amsterdam – Program Highlights

🗓️ Sample Topics & Sessions

  • Contemporary European and Global Affairs
  • Türkiye and Regional Affairs: From the Middle East to Europe
  • New European Security Architecture
  • Governing the Uncertain: Climate Change and Policy Responses
  • Migration Policies
  • Beyond Academia: Communicating Social Science for Impact
  • Voice & Impact: Mastering the Art of Speaking to the Public
  • Hate Speech & Counterspeech & Freedom of Expression

and more!

🎤 Confirmed Contributors Include:

  • Dr. Claske Vos, Europese studies, University of Amsterdam
  • Dr. Sinem Arslan, School of International Relations, University of St. Andrews
  • Prof. Burak Bilgehan Özpek, Political Science and International Relations, TOBB University & Founder of D84
  • İbrahim Enes Özkan, Entrepreneur & Investor & Economist, Istanbul University & Founder of D84
  • Dr. Başak Yavcan, Head of Research at Migration Policy Group
  • Dr. Natalie Alkiviadou, The Future of Free Speech, Vanderbilt University
  • Ayşe Yürekli, Enlargement Candidate Member, EESC
  • Y. Barış Ertürk, Junior Lecturer & PhD Candidate at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Selim Yıldırım, PhD Candidate and Researcher, TOBB University

(More speakers to be announced soon.)

📩 Application Process

To apply, candidates must submit:
1️⃣ An Application Form
2️⃣ Short video introduction (1-2 min) or Statement of Purpose (of maximum 800 words) to be uploaded into the Application Form

📆 Application Deadline: 03.08.2025
📧 How to Apply: https://forms.gle/GKTm4LaYUq6wJ1L69 

We will host a webinar in English on 10.07.2025 Thursday at 16:00 (GMT+3) to answer any questions regarding this open call. (Register to here.)

📆 Selection Announcements: 08.08.2025

Participants in the program will be selected through an open, fair and transparent process. The detailed selection criteria and the composition of the jury will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

⚠️ Important: This is a full program consisting of multiple components, including training, mentorship, international forums, and media production. Selected participants are expected to complete all activities as part of the exchange and will be required to sign a commitment form upon acceptance.

Note: If you are currently employed, we advise that you discuss your application with your employer. It is your responsibility to ensure that you will be granted leave of absence or be released from your work in time for the entire duration of the program.

The entire program will be free of charge for all selected participants. Travel, accommodation and meals for applicants accepted to attend the program will be covered by D84. Applications that do not meet the minimum criteria, are received late, are incomplete or have not fulfilled other required processes will not be considered and will automatically be disqualified.

D84 welcomes applications from all candidates who fulfil the eligibility requirements irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion or belief.

Eligibility Requirements 

All applications must:

1– Be able to work in English

2– Be aged between 18 to 35 at the time of their application

3– Hold a citizenship / hold a valid temporary or permanent residence permit (valid until at least June 2026) from an EU country, EEA country, the UK, or Switzerland

4- Have a bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognised higher education institution

5- Currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD program in the fields of social sciences, humanities, or interdisciplinary studies or have completed their most recent graduate degree (master’s or PhD) within the past three years* from an internationally recognised higher education institution.

*The three-year criterion does not apply to early-career professionals currently working for media, civil society organizations, think tanks, or universities (e.g. researchers, lecturers), regardless of their graduation date from a graduate studies program.

 

For inquiries: kardelen.deniz@daktilo1984.com & onur.fidangul@daktilo1984.com