Since spring 2004 there is a new program at the MC, under which talented alumni can return to the MC for funded research. While they are here, they are known as "Visiting Researchers." Successful completion of their research programs will lead to the designation as "Marshall Center Scholars," and they will get a certificate suitable for framing. The relevant portions of the SOP are enclosed here for information about the details of the program. At the conclusion of their research, we will schedule a faculty Brown Bag or other forum at which the alumni are asked to present and receive feedback.

Regulations

Graduates of Marshall Center Resident Courses, other than the Senior Executive Seminar, who have demonstrated exceptional researching and writing skills may submit research proposals and obtain funding in accordance with this standard operating procedure. The following special provisions apply:

1. The candidate shall submit copies of previous written work, published, or unpublished, to demonstrate the quality of his writing. A paper generated at the Marshall Center during a resident course may satisfy this requirement.



2. The applicant's Course Director and his assistants shall comprise a preliminary level of screening for these proposals. By majority vote, these three persons may finally disapprove a proposal and return it to the author, or approve it and forward it for consideration by the RPSC as described herein. Marshall Center Scholar proposals projected to require more than $3,000 in Marshall Center funding will require exceptionally persuasive justification.



3. Students whose proposals are ultimately approved by the Director, and whose host governments approve their return to conduct the project, shall be offered funding to return to the Marshall Center to complete their research project in residence. Generally, this funding will be to return to the Marshall Center for a period of under 30 days, to conduct their research and writing. If travel away from the Marshall Center is required in connection with the research proposal, that shall be identified, with specifics as to time and place, at the time the original proposal is submitted. Upon their arrival at the Marshall Center, former students with approved grants shall be named "Visiting Researchers".



4. Visiting Researchers shall not be entitled to any compensation or remuneration apart from normal travel and per diem expenses for the conduct of their research. They shall be entitled to use the Marshall Center Library, research facilities, computers, and offices for the creation of their finished products.



5. A faculty member shall be appointed as a research advisor for each Visiting Researcher. The faculty advisor shall meet with the Visiting Researcher from time to time, provide appropriate guidance and mentoring, and assist the Researcher in completing a publishable product within the approved budget and time allowed. The Marshall Center may publish the paper in one of its publications or relinquish publication rights to the Visiting Researcher.



6. Upon completion of the research project, submission of the final written product, final briefing to the Director, and accounting of funds as described herein, the Visiting Researcher shall be named a "Marshall Center Scholar".

Below you will find a list of the topics that are currently of the highest interest to our German and American government stakeholders. Research related to these fields is given highest priority, so if your work can be related to any of these themes, we may be better able to find funding for your project.

Marshall Center's current areas of research interest :

• Terrorism, including waging the "Battle of Ideas" to delegitimize terrorism and support for terrorism.



• Internal instability jeopardizing the territorial integrity of nation states, as well as regional stability and peace.



• Regional and local crises that could turn into transnational threats and/or spur transnational terrorism.



• Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and attempts to prevent it (missile defense; arms control regimes).



• Missile defense.



• New role of NATO.



• Implications and applicability of the revolution in military affairs, information revolution, and interoperability.



• Peace and stabilization operations, crisis management for humanitarian and emergency situations.



• Dialogue between Western nations and Islam.



• Role of the European Union (EU) after enlargement.



• Relationship between EU and NATO.