Transatlantic Doctoral Seminar

The Transatlantic Doctoral Seminar in German History (TDS) is an annual seminar organized by the German Historical Institute in Washington DC and the BMW Center for German and European Studies at Georgetown University. Its chronological focus is on the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries and its location alternates between Washington DC and different German universities. 

The seminar brings together young scholars from Europe and North America who are nearing completion of their doctoral degrees. We usually invite eight doctoral students from each side of the Atlantic to discuss their research projects. Doctoral students working in related disciplines – such as art history, legal history or the history of science – are also encouraged to apply, as are students working on comparative projects or on the history of Austria or German-speaking Switzerland. The discussions at the seminar are based on papers (in German or English) submitted in advance of the conference. The seminar is conducted bilingually, in German and English. The organizers cover travel and lodging expenses.

We accept applications from doctoral students whose dissertations are at an advanced stage but who will be granted their degrees after June in the year of the seminar. Applications should include: (1) dissertation project description (max. 2 pages), (2) provisional table of contents, indicating which chapters have been completed (max. 2 pages), (3) curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages), (4) letter of reference from the major dissertation advisor (commenting on progress toward completion and foreign language skills). German-speaking applicants should submit their materials in German; English-speaking applicants in English. Questions may be directed to Dr. Richard F. Wetzell by email.

The current CfP will appear below when available.