Crossroads Central Asia is teaming up with Kazakh-German University (Kazakhstan), TU Dortmund University (Germany), the University of Georgia, and Tbilisi State University (Georgia) — with support from the Volkswagen Foundation — to organize a year-long international summer school series on Social Cohesion and Public Policy in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
If you are an early-career researcher interested in social cohesion, public policy, and the dynamic region of Central Asia and the Caucasus, consider joining our international, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented summer school series titled:
“Social Cohesion and Public Policy in Central Asia and the Caucasus: Disentangling the Linkage Through Ideas, Interests, and Institutions.”
Why Apply?
Participants will:
- Join three summer schools in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia
- Work with leading scholars and practitioners from the region and Germany
- Develop their own academic or policy-oriented projects
- Receive training in methods, publication, public engagement, and more
- Produce policy papers, academic articles, or podcasts
- Enjoy fully funded participation (travel, accommodation, and meals)
When & Where?
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | 9–14 September 2025
- Almaty, Kazakhstan | 23–29 March 2026
- Tbilisi, Georgia | 22–27 September 2026 (Final Conference)
- ️ Two online preparatory sessions
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from early-career researchers based in Central Asia, the Caucasus, or Germany who:
- Work on topics related to social cohesion (e.g. trust, identity, inequality) and/or public policy (e.g. governance, education, conflict resolution)
- Have a strong command of English
- Are eager to collaborate across borders and disciplines
What to Submit (in English, as a single PDF):
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Project proposal (500–1000 words)
- Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- Optional: Note any accessibility needs (e.g., childcare support)
Apply By:
20 June 2025 (CET)
Submit to: cacproject@tu-dortmund.de
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to brief online interviews between 23–27 June 2025. Final decisions by end of June.
About the Organizers
This program is a collaboration between:
- Crossroads Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan)
- Kazakh-German University (Kazakhstan)
- TU Dortmund University (Germany)
- The University of Georgia and Tbilisi State University (Georgia)
Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.
Learn more at cac-project.org
Questions? Contact: cacproject@tu-dortmund.de
Download PDF version here.