Dialogue Sessions

Who are the partners of GGF?

The program was initiated by the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi), along with the Robert Bosch Stiftung. GGF is jointly implemented by GPPi, the Hertie School of Governance, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, the Institut français des relations internationales, Ashoka University, the Centre for Policy Research, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the Tokyo Foundation, Keio University, the South African Institute of International Affairs, Princeton University, and the Brookings Institution. GGF is co-designed and generously supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

What is the best way to stay up to date with GGF developments during and between the sessions?

You can stay up to date with GGF developments by visiting our program website www.ggfutures.net and on Twitter (#GGF2035). The best way for fellows to stay up to date with the program is to keep in contact with other fellows and the program team at GPPi via email (GGF mailing list). The program team will send regular email updates to fellows, and all fellows are encouraged to communicate and share updates via the GGF mailing list as well as social media groups.

Will fellows produce content for the GGF program?

Yes. Each of the three working groups will produce a final collaborative working group product. In addition, the fellows will receive support to produce content and disseminate their results through commentaries, interviews, and podcasts via the GGF website and social media channels. The GGF program collaborates closely with the Global Policy Journal at Durham University to publish program-related commentaries and interviews by GGF fellows. In addition, the fellows will present the interim and final results of their work to experts during the dialogue sessions.

What will happen between the workshops? What is the necessary time commitment?

GGF aims to minimize the workload of the fellows between the dialogue sessions. Nonetheless, fellows can expect to contribute an average of eight hours between each session to advance the writing of the final collaborative working group product. During the phase of writing the final output, the fellows are required to coordinate, collaborate and participate through phone conferences to complete their working group product. Beyond the duration of a GGF round, the fellows are encouraged to remain involved in an active and growing alumni network and to build connections with the next round of fellows.

What is the purpose of the scenario planning methodology?

Please have a look at the GGF method page for information.

What happens during the sessions? What is the balance between group work, expert meetings, presentations, and cultural activities?

In general, each dialogue session will include time spent within and across working groups, meetings with experts and speakers, cultural activities, and delivering presentations. The program aims to achieve a balance between these elements, and GGF fellows are expected to take part in all GGF program-related activities during the dialogue sessions. During the sessions more time is spent within the working groups in order to achieve the groups’ objectives. For more information about the dialogue sessions, have a look at the GGF Alumni page.

Eligibility

Do I have to be a Brazilian, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, South African or US citizen to apply?

Yes. The only exceptions are German Bildungsinländer (German permanent residents who completed their high school education in Germany), Hong Kong SAR passport holders, and US Green Card holders who have completed at least parts of their university education in the US. Holders of multiple passports need to clearly state whether they are applying as either Brazilian, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, South African or US candidates.

Can fellows from the previous rounds of GGF apply again?

No. Fellows can participate in only one round of the program.

Can students and alumni of the organizing institutions apply?

Yes. All applications are processed in the same way without preferential treatment. However, current employees (for example, research associates, research assistants and fellows) of GPPi and the Robert Bosch Stiftung are ineligible to apply.

Do I need to have prior experience with the other participating countries – Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa or the US – before applying?

You need to have a strong interest in connecting with young professionals from the other countries. GGF is open to those with or without a deep knowledge of the other countries to allow for a good mix of experiences.

Are there any quotas in the selection process?

No. However, the GGF program aims to bring together a diverse mix of fellows from different backgrounds (from, for instance, the private and public sector, academia, think tanks, NGOs and international organizations).

Do I need to be an expert in the program’s topics?

Expertise in the field of the program’s topics in an academic or professional context, or through extracurricular engagement, is definitely an asset. However, we are looking for fellows with a strong desire and clear commitment to make a difference in their respective fields of activity – not for narrow specialists.

Are there restrictions with respect to disciplines (degree programs) and professional fields?

No. As long as you can make a case for your contribution to the program, there are no restrictions with respect to disciplines and fields of professional experience.

Are students currently enrolled in degree programs eligible to apply?

Yes. Students currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD program (or equivalent) are eligible to apply. However, they are expected to take time off from their studies to attend the GGF dialogue sessions.

Does time spent in a PhD program count towards years of work experience?

Yes. Applicants who are currently enrolled in or have completed doctoral programs can use their PhD program time to count towards years of work experience.

I am a Chinese citizen who holds a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes. Hong Kong SAR passport holders are considered Chinese citizens.

I hold a People’s Republic of China passport with a Taiwan Compatriot Entry Permit. Am I eligible to apply?

No. Only holders of a People's Republic of China (or Hong Kong SAR) passport are eligible to apply.

I am a citizen of Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa or the US but do not currently reside in my home country. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes. Your citizenship, not your current country of residence, is the decisive factor.

Application

I would like to follow up on my application. What is the best way to do so?

Select applicants will be invited to a phone interview by the GGF team at GPPi. The selection process will be concluded and candidates will be notified by mid-December 2019. If you do not hear back from the GGF team by this date, please email [email protected] with your queries. No telephone inquires please.

Do I have to be physically present during each of the dialogue sessions?

Yes. Successful candidates have to sign a letter of agreement confirming their attendance at all dialogue sessions of the program. In addition, all applicants have to present a written confirmation from their employers agreeing to the time commitment needed to participate in all GGF sessions. If you change jobs during the GGF program, you must submit a letter of confirmation by your new employer to the GGF team confirming your attendance to the remaining GGF dialogues.

Can I switch working groups after the program has already started?

No. After fellows are selected for one of the three working groups by the GGF program team and steering committee, they will be working alongside their peers in the working group for the duration of the program.

What do I need to submit as part of my application?

Please take a close look at the Apply page of the GGF website for a detailed list what needs to be included in your application package.

Can I submit other documents with further information as part of my application package?

No. Additional documents, such as diplomas, training certificates, etc., will not be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Who should write the letters of recommendation? Do they have to be professional and/or academic recommendations, or can there be personal references?

Your application package must include at least one letter of recommendation, but no more than two (the second is optional). Letters of recommendation should come from professional and/or academic referees. Ideally, these should be recent, and a letter from your current employer is very much encouraged. Personal references (i.e., from a friend or relative) will not be accepted.

How should I submit the letter(s) of recommendation?

Please submit letters of recommendation with the rest of your application documents via email to [email protected] by the closing date of 23:59 Pacific Time on October 16, 2019. There is no requirement of confidentiality regarding the content of the letters vis-à-vis the applicant. In the event that the applicant’s referee insists on confidentiality, the referee can email the letter directly to [email protected], indicating the applicant’s name and date of birth. Letters of recommendation sent before the submission of your application package are also accepted. If your referee is not able to provide you with a letter of recommendation before the deadline, it is possible to submit the letter after the deadline - by October 23, 2019 the latest.

Where can I get advice on the application process for GGF?

All information regarding the application process can be found on the GGF website in the Apply section or on this (FAQ) page. Interested applicants (and their employers) can contact the GGF team by emailing [email protected] with questions that are not covered in the FAQ section.

Are early applications encouraged?

Yes. Early applications are encouraged in case the GGF team needs further information from a candidate. However, evaluation of the applications will start only after the deadline of 23:59 Pacific Time on October 16, 2019.

Will I receive confirmation of the submission of my application?

Yes. Once you have submitted a complete application, you will receive a brief email message. Please note that this can take up to three working days – longer, during the holiday season.

Where can I apply for GGF 2035?

To apply for GGF, please visit the Apply section of this website and follow the instructions. Note that the deadline for applications will be strictly enforced. All applications arriving after the deadline of 23:59 on October 16, 2019 will not be accepted. Please check your local time difference accordingly.

When will the results of the selection process be announced?

The GGF steering committee will review the applications and the final results will be announced by mid-December, 2019.

Logistics

Does GGF provide child-care service during the sessions?

No. However, GGF is willing to discuss options regarding local child-care services for parenting fellows. If this is the case, we advise successful candidates to notify the GGF team at the earliest possible date to make the appropriate arrangements.

If I am successfully chosen to participate in GGF, can I bring my partner along to the dialogue sessions?

In principle, yes. Your partner may travel with you, but will not be able to attend the dialogue sessions. Please note that GGF does not cover any of the expenses incurred by partners of GGF fellows. Fellows will need to take care of all expenses incurred by their partners (flight, accommodation, meals, etc.).

Will the organizers take care of the visa?

No. GGF fellows will need to organize visas for themselves and do so well ahead of time. The GGF team at GPPi will support the fellows in the process with invitation letters. Fellows are responsible for submitting a timely application for their visas. Visa fees will be covered as part of the travel cap for each dialogue session. If you have to renew your passport during the GGF program and have a functioning travel visa for one of the GGF host countries for GGF 2035 on your old passport, please make sure this is transferable to your new passport. Alternatively, make the necessary arrangements to ensure you can travel and enter into the GGF 2035 host country on your new travel document.

Have the dates for the three meetings been set?

The first session will take place on October 26-30, 2020. The second meeting will take place on April 17-23, 2021, and the final meeting in Berlin will take place in September, 2021 followed by the GGF alumni reunion also in Berlin. GGF 2035 fellows are highly encouraged to stay on to attend the alumni reunion.

Is there any participation fee?

Yes. Each fellow will have to pay a one-time participation fee of €260, to be deducted from their travel reimbursement.

Travel and Expenses

Will I need to get health insurance before traveling for the dialogue sessions?

Yes. GGF does not provide health insurance coverage, nor are the program and its partners liable for any costs incurred by fellows because of an accident. Therefore, fellows are responsible for obtaining their own health insurance before traveling for the program. Please note that depending on your visa requirements, you may have to provide proof of health insurance before entering any of the host countries.

Does GGF insure me against the loss, theft or damage of my personal belongings during the dialogue sessions?

No. All responsibility for personal items and valuables belongs to the fellows alone. GGF and its partners are not responsible for any loss, damage or theft of fellows' belongings throughout the duration of GGF and thereafter.

Who organizes the transportation and accommodation during each dialogue session? How much can fellows spend on transportation and accommodation?

Fellows are required to organize their own travel plans and visa application ahead of time to attend each dialogue session. Each session has a fixed travel cap assigned to it. Depending on the region you are traveling from, the program has different travel caps, which will be applied. Travel caps cover only expenses directly related to transportation to/from each session and, where applicable, visa fees. Successful applicants will be informed of the travel caps applicable to them ahead of the first session.

Fellows will be reimbursed for their travel expenses after each session. Reimbursements will only be made after the GGF team has received a fellow’s proof of payment for his/her ticket purchase, boarding passes/stubs and visa application receipt. Original receipts and boarding passes are required for program-related accounting purposes.

Accommodation for all GGF dialogue sessions will be organized by the GGF team. Accommodation covers the night prior to the start of the session until the morning after the final day of the session.

Important: No reimbursements can be made without proof of receipts and flight boarding passes.

What types of expenses are covered during my participation in the GGF dialogue sessions?

All fellows will have program-related expenses covered. These include transportation (flight, train, bus) expenses to and from the dialogue sessions, public transportation from the airport to the hotel and back, visa fees, accommodation, meals during the dialogue sessions and other program-related expenses (e.g., cultural activities). GGF does not cover travel or additional costs incurred by fellows' personal expenses (or that of their partner) before, during or after the sessions.