Why are we running this project?

The transatlantic partnership is facing multiple challenges: transnational terrorism, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the question of how to deal with Russia, North Korea, China or Turkey call for a strong transatlantic cooperation. At the same time, nationalist and divisive forces in both American and European politics and society are increasingly questioning the relevance of the transatlantic partnership. New impulses are needed to reinforce transatlantic cooperation. This is the main objective of the "Brookings - Robert Bosch Foundation Transatlantic Initiative" (BBTI).

What are our goals?

Under the overarching theme of “Re-invigorating the Transatlantic Partnership”, the BBTI aims to build up and expand resilient networks and transatlantic activities to analyze and work on issues concerning transatlantic relations and social cohesion in Europe and the United States.

How does the project work?

As part of the initiative, researchers from the renowned US think tank The Brookings Institution publish independent analyses and recommendations for some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Who are the target groups?

The BBTI targets decision makers from politics and administration, as well as members of think tanks, universities, the media, civil society and the interested public on both sides of the Atlantic.

Where is the project run?

A series of high-profile public events in Europe and the US will be organized in cooperation between the Robert Bosch Stiftung and Brookings.

Who organizes and sponsors the project?

The Brookings Institution is one of the oldest and most renowned think tanks worldwide. The expansion of the successful collaboration with the Robert Bosch Stiftung amplifies Brookings’s research in and on Europe and creates a platform for rigorous analysis and debate on key transatlantic issues.

Robert Bosch Senior Fellows

With the "Brookings - Robert Bosch Foundation Transatlantic Initiative," the Robert Bosch Stiftung is expanding its existing cooperation with Brookings, which began in 2013 with the establishment of the Robert Bosch Senior Fellowship at Brookings, which Dr. Constanze Stelzenmüller, a lawyer and expert on foreign and security policy and strategy, held from 2014-2019. Through the fellowship, Dr. Stelzenmüller produced rigorous and independent research and commentary for policymakers and the public on transatlantic and U.S.-German bilateral issues, as well as Germany’s relations with the world. Since October 2017, Dr. Amanda Sloat has started her work as the second Robert Bosch Senior Fellow at Brookings. In September 2019, Dr. James Goldgeier started his Robert Bosch Senior Visiting Fellowship at Brookings.

BBTI Fellowship at Robert Bosch Academy Berlin

Brookings fellows also conduct research at the Robert Bosch Academy (RBA) in Berlin. The RBA provides the BBTI Fellows with the intellectual and physical space to pursue individual research and outreach activities. In 2017/2018, Brookings Senior Fellow Dr. Ted Piccone served as the inaugural BBTI fellow at Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin. From August 2019 to December 2019, Brookings Senior Fellow Frank A. Rose has been in residence at the RBA.