Scholarship Program
Streit Council Scholarship
Supporting the next generation of scholars committed to democratic governance and transatlantic cooperation.
About the Program
The Streit Council Trust Scholarship
The Streit Council Trust scholarship is awarded annually to support graduate-level research that advances the understanding of democratic federal union and transatlantic relations.
Established through the generous endowment of the Streit Council Trust, the scholarship provides financial support and mentorship to emerging scholars whose work aligns with the Council's mission.
Eligibility
- ✦ Currently enrolled in a graduate program (MA, PhD) at an accredited university
- ✦ Demonstrated interest in international affairs, democratic governance, or transatlantic relations
- ✦ Strong academic record and research potential
- ✦ Proficiency in English
The scholarship is open to students of all nationalities. Preference may be given to candidates whose research directly relates to democratic federal union or transatlantic cooperation.
Research Focus Areas
We welcome proposals across a range of topics related to democratic governance and international cooperation, including but not limited to: transatlantic institutional frameworks, comparative democratic federalism, international trade and economic integration, security cooperation among democracies, and the role of civil society in promoting democratic values.
How to Apply
Application Process
Personal Statement
A statement of purpose (500–1,000 words) describing your research interests and how they relate to the Council's mission
Research Proposal
A research proposal (1,500–3,000 words) outlining your intended project
CV/Resume
A current curriculum vitae including academic history and relevant experience
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation from academic references
Writing Sample
An academic writing sample (published or unpublished)
Submit Your Application
Please send all application materials as a single PDF to:
scholarship@streitcouncil.org →Current Scholars
Current Streit Scholars
Meet our current cohort of Streit Council scholars.
Pranav Kaginele
Awarded 2025Master's student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, focusing on Governance, Politics, and Society in an accelerated BA/MA program. His research concerns international institutions, nuclear strategy, and great-power competition. As a Frank Fund Fellow, he is researching models of "federal-union" as an institutional form of interstate cooperation and building out an intellectual history for the tradition.
Matt Risser
Awarded 2025Doctoral student in political science at Johns Hopkins University. His academic work focuses on the intersection between republicanism, geopolitics, and political economy. His work explores how the connection between political self-integration and long-run economic advancement provides the proactive motive for ever-expanding federalization.
Ryan Metz
Awarded 2024–2025PhD Candidate in the Department of History at the Ohio State University, researching twentieth century U.S. foreign relations history. As a Frank Fund Scholar, Ryan is helping organize, digitize, and present archival materials related to Clarence Streit and Federal Union, building online platforms that connect historical documents with contemporary audiences.
Past Scholars
Scholarship Alumni
Our alumni have gone on to distinguished careers in academia, policy, and public service.
Benjamin Studebaker
2024–2025Received his PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge in 2020. Author of The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy (Palgrave, 2023) and Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies (Edinburgh University Press, 2024). He works on political legitimacy.
Ryan Cauwenberghs
2024–2025Master's student at the University of Oxford specializing in African Studies. His research focuses on Afro-Federalism and constitutional structures in sub-Saharan Africa.
Our Heritage
The Streit Council Trust
The Streit Council Trust was established to perpetuate the vision of Clarence Streit, whose 1939 book Union Now proposed a federal union of the Atlantic democracies. The Trust supports scholarship and research that advances understanding of democratic governance and international cooperation.