During the three-year program, the Ph.D. students receive a thorough education from renowned experts in multilevel governance. They profit from the diversity of expertise at BTS, exposure to path-breaking research projects, and the infrastructure of the three participating institutions. The program is headed by Tanja Börzel and Thomas Risse (Freie Universität Berlin), Henrik Enderlein and Michael Zürn (Hertie School of Governance), Wolfgang Merkel and Gunnar Folek Schuppert (Social Science Research Center Berlin, WZB), and others. The research priorities of the graduate school focus around the causes and consequences of globalization, the challenges faced at all levels of political decision making, and the comparative study of regional cooperation.

Applicants to this program must have completed a university degree with outstanding grades qualifying for Ph.D. studies in political science, international relations, sociology, economics, law, or adjacent disciplines and must have an excellent command of English. They should submit a CV, a letter of motivation, a dissertation exposé, and two letters of reference from professors.