EXPLORING EU FOREIGN POLICY

Research centers, research networks and think tanks

Other Centres

 
 

ARENA Centre for European Studies

Focusses on issues of governance and the emerging European political order.

Bruegel

Brussels-based think tank focussing on international economics.

Carnegie Academic Catalogue

This website of the Carnegie Endowment provides for a compilation of produced papers, reports, books, and articles that have some enduring value for the academic community.

Carnegie Europe

Carnegie Europe is a valuable source for European foreign policy analysis on topics ranging from Turkey to the Middle East and the Eastern neighborhood to security and defense. 

Centre for Applied Policy Research (CAP)

Independent think tank located in the University of Munich, the CAP publishes books, working papers and policy suggestions on a range of issues, with a particular focus on questions of European integration.

Center for European Integration Studies

Institute linked with the University of Bonn focussing on issues of European integration and the global role of Europe.

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)

Brussels-based think tank conducting research into a range of EU policies, including external relations.

Centre for European Reform (CER)

The 2013 International Affairs think tank of the year, London-based CER produces publications and newsletters on a wide range of EU issues. Pro-EU and pro-integration but "not uncritical".

Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Washington-based and focussing mainly on US policy, but also has interesting sections dealing with Europe - see the subheading "regions".

Centre for the Law of EU External Relations (CLEER)

The Centre for the Law of EU External Relations focuses on the interaction between international law and EU’s legal order, and issues of coherence and consistency in EU external policy-making and implementation.

Center for Transatlantic Relations

Think tank affiliated with the Paul H. Nitze School of International Relations at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, the CTR researches and publishes on contemporary issues affecting EU-US relations.

CEPOB - College of Europe Policy Brief series

Paper series on topical EU policy challenges, directly from the College of Europe academic community.

Chatham House - Europe

Prestigious London-based think tank, whose Europe program focusses on European countries and Europe-related institutions and their involvement in addressing the challenges posed in the areas of economics, climate change, energy, and security.

Cicero Foundation

Dutch-based, independent think tank which is pro-Europe and pro-Atlantic. Main focus of research is EU integration and the future of NATO.

Clingendael Institute

The Netherlands Institute of International Relations focusses specifically on the fields of economic diplomacy, international security and conflict management. Although it is strongly centred on the role of the Netherlands, it produces relevant and interesting publications on European and international issues.

CONCORD

The European confederation of relief and development NGOs. CONCORD aims to promote coherent and sustainable European policies towards the developing world.

Council on Foreign Relations - Europe

CFR is a preeminent foreign policy think tank based in Washington. Its main focus is US foreign policy but it also analyses European external relations as well as EU-US relations

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (DGAP)

German Council on Foreign Relations is a long-established institute promoting public debate and undertaking research focussing on European integration and transatlantic relations.

Egmont Institute - Royal Institute for International Relations

Independent Belgian think-tank on international relations, providing analysis and policy options.

European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)

The European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE) is an independent and non-profit policy research think tank. There work is focused on international trade, regulation, digitalisation, and other international economic policy issues of importance to Europe.

European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)

The ECDPM conducts research on political, economic and developmental relations between African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and Europe. It's goal is to broker effective development partnerships between the EU and the Global South, particularly Africa.

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)

Headquartered in London, but with offices across Europe, this think-tank provides up-to-date news, policy analysis and in-depth publications on EU foreign relations, including yearly scorecards on European Foreign Policy (a systematic annual assessment of Europe’s performance in dealing with the rest of the world).

European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)

The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is a think tank conducting research on EU-Asia relations.

European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)

Focussed on issues of European Public Management. See the sections on research and publications.

European Network of Economic Policy Research Institutes (ENEPRI)

Aims to foster cooperation and joint projects between 25 leading economic research institutes across the EU. The ENEPRI also publishes working papers and policy briefs.

European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO)

EPLO is the platform of European NGOs, NGO networks and think tanks which are committed to peacebuilding and the prevention of violent conflict. The Office organises events and publishes newsletters and information - including job offers - concerning its member organisations.

European Policies Research Centre (EPRC)

Institute focussing on regional issues in Europe and the use of structural funds. Based in the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

European Policy Centre (EPC)

The EPC focusses above all on issues of European integration, but also produces research papers on all other areas of EU policy, including foreign affairs. Large and well-respected think tank.

European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN)

EPIN is a network of think tanks and policy networks across Europe, all dealing with European policy. Publications are to be found on the website, as well as links to the homepages of member institutes.

European Stability Initiative (ESI)

Europe's think tank for South East Europe and enlargement: films and reports on the Balkans, Turkey, Central Europe and the South Caucasus.

Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA)

Helsinki-based international relations institue focussing on the EU's global role, Russia and the Eastern Neighbourhood, and global security issues.

Foreign Policy Centre (FPC)

The London-based FPC conducts wide-ranging research into foreign affairs in general, not simply European focussed. Quality publications touching a variety of topics can be purchased from the website.

German Marshall Fund of the United States

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) strengthens transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities in the spirit of the Marshall Plan. It publishes research and analytical reports on a pletora of topics related to the transatlantic relations. 

Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC)

Partnership of research institutes with expertise in issues of governance, social development, humanitarian response and conflict.

Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)

Policy institute committed to promoting an environmentally sustainable future for Europe.

Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP)

The Institute for European Politics (IEP) is dedicated to the study of European integration. It focusses primarily on the future of Europe, Germany's role in the EU, the Neighbourhood, and Energy and Climate Policy.

Institut français des relations internationales (IFRI)

Based in Paris, IFRI is France's foremost research institute dedicated to international affairs. Focusses on security, the EU, transatlantic relations and the international economy. 

International Crisis Group (ICG)

The ICG undertakes research primarily into conflict prevention and resolution. Produces detailed annual publications and country/region reports.

International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)

Well-established think tank focussing on security issues, especially nuclear deterrance, arms control and the assessment of countries' armed forces.

ISIS Europe

Brussels-based independent research and advisory organisation working on aspects of security, defence and peace policies of the EU and NATO. 

Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI)

Rome-based international relations institute focussing on the whole range of areas associated with EU foreign relations, as well as Italian foreign policy. Publishes The International Spectator and produces numerous working and research papers.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, European Office

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is one of the political foundations of the Federal Republic of Germany. The European Office Brussels actively monitors developments in the European Union since 1978. 

LSE European Foreign Policy Unit

EU Foreign Policy research institute of the London School of Economics. Focusses on the EU's relations with southern and eastern neighbours, EU-UN relations, transatlantic issues and trade policy. 

Reconsidering European Contributions to Global Justice (GLOBUS)

GLOBUS is a research project that critically examines the European Union’s contribution to global justice.

South Centre

Intergovernmental policy think tank of developing countries, focussing on the analysis of development problems and experience.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

SIPRI conducts research into issues of conflict and international peace and security. It provides publications, library and an extensive database of military statistics.

Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik - German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)

German institute focussing on a broad range of issues, from classic questions of security to debates on climate and energy security. Produces various SWP Working Papers, though not all are available in English.

Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies (SIEPS)

Carries out multidisciplinary research in 6 main areas, including EU governance and EU external relations. Produces reports, occasional papers and European policy analyses.

The Lisbon Council

The Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness and Social Renewal is futur oriented think tank committed to defining and articulating mature, holistic and evidence-based strategies for managing current and future challenges.

Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA)

Network of research institutes from across Europe with a decentralised and bottom-up approach to European governance. Produces its own policy briefs and publications as well as acting as a platform for the publications of member institutes.

United Nations University Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNUCRIS)

The mission of UNU-CRIS is to contribute to achieving the universal goals of the UN and UNU through comparative and interdisciplinary research and training for a better understanding of the processes and consequences of intra- and inter-regional integration. The aim is to act as a think-tank that generates policy-relevant knowledge about new forms of governance and cooperation and to contribute to capacity building on issues of integration and cooperation, particularly in developing countries.