MERICS European China Talent Programme promotes students and young graduates with a focus on contemporary China

The Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) strives to encourage European students and young graduates to deepen their engagement with contemporary China. In May 2015, MERICS invited fifteen outstanding students from all over Europe to participate in the very first MERICS European China Talent Programme. The highly selective programme covered a broad range of current topics and laid the foundation for a long-lasting and unique network of future European China experts

The call for the 2016 round of the programme is now open. The three-day programme will take place from 13 to 15 April 2016 in Berlin, offering an exchange about different European perspectives on China as well as the analysis of developments in China and their internal and external impact. Participants will also get an insight into one of the largest international research institutes on contemporary China and conduct debates with policy-makers and business representatives.

Application documents should contain a CV (one page) and an essay (one page, max. 4000 characters). Please do not add any other documents or references and send your application as one single PDF file.

This year’s essay topic is “China, a challenge for Europe?”Please proceed in two steps:

• Select and substantiate one major challenge, that from your perspective China presents to Europe or explain why China does not present a challenge to Europe
• Propose concrete policy options how Europe could deal with this challenge

Successful applicants will receive a certificate of participation, board and lodging for the duration of the programme and a travel allowance.

Application requirements:

• Recent graduate or master student of any degree course with a strong focus on contemporary China
• Chinese language skills
• European citizen
• Excellent command of the English language

If you want to become part of the MERICS European China Talent Programme 2016, please send your application to Elena Klorer (elena.klorer@merics.de) until 1 February 2016.

We are looking forward to your application and your perspective on Europe-China relations.
For more information about the MERICS European China Talent Programme, see www.merics.org/ectp