Membership FAQs

Individual Membership

Who typically joins the Council for European Studies?

CES membership is made up of over 1,000 policy professionals, researchers, faculty members, and students dedicated to strengthening the study of Europe and European affairs. Members of the Council for European Studies provide crucial support for its work and are engaged in innovative and influential research on a wide range of subjects, such as transatlantic relations, global security, cultural studies, European integration, colonial and post-colonial studies, nationalism and regionalism, environmental studies, immigration and social exclusion, classical and medieval history, health and wellbeing, radicalism and violence, race and racism in Europe, and much more. 

What are the benefits of individual membership?

There are numerous benefits to membership in CES, most notably access to its fifteen research networks, many grant, fellowship, and award programs, and a newly-launched Professional Development webinar series. Individual membership also comes with access to a grants database (coming soon!) and other research resources. Lastly, CES occasionally sponsors research projects, workshops, internships, and symposia to provide its members with access to direct funding, training, and professional development opportunities.

How can I pay membership dues?

Membership dues may be paid conveniently via credit card or by check. To pay your individual membership dues now, please visit the Individual Membership page. 

How long does my membership last?

Memberships are considered active for 365 days from the date on which membership dues are received. 

How can I find out when my membership expires? 

To find out when your membership expires, please contact CES at memberships@ces-europe.org or consult the membership confirmation you received when purchasing your membership. 

Institutional Membership

Who typically joins the CES Academic Consortium?

CES’ Academic Consortium is an association of over 100 research institutions around the world dedicated to strengthening the study of Europe. These institutions are mainly universities, colleges, and academic institutes, but also include think tanks, government agencies and ministries, libraries, and other research-oriented institutions.

What are the benefits of institutional membership in CES’ Academic Consortium?

Most of the grants, awards, and fellowships offered by CES are only open to applications from individuals who are affiliated with an institution that is a current member of the Consortium. As such, joining the Consortium is the best way to ensure that your students, faculty, and professionals have access to all applicable opportunities.

Additionally, member institutions are invited each year to nominate an outstanding junior scholar to be the recipient of a CES-Institutional Emerging Scholar Award, which entails a free year of individual membership and access to one of CES’ Research Networks, ­­­­­­­­as well as professional mentorship opportunities via webinars and workshops at the annual International Conference of Europeanists, hosted by CES.

Institutions that sign up for a 3-year membership will have an opportunity to be featured as a Campus Spotlight on EuropeNow Campusthe teaching and learning corner of CES’ interdisciplinary online journal, EuropeNow.

Check out one past example here.

Are there any duties associated with membership in the Consortium?

Like all good things, the benefits of membership carry obligations as well. Members support the advancement of European Studies and defray the costs of important CES programming by paying an annual membership fee, joining in occasional cooperative agreements, and helping to publicize relevant programs and initiatives.

What is a “cooperative agreement”?

All member institutions are occasionally invited to join in cooperative agreements on student exchange, faculty collaboration, the sharing of pedagogical tools, and more. These strengthen ties between and among member institutions, while bolstering various research and training programs. 

What is “European Studies” and does my institution study it?

CES defines “European Studies” as encompassing all topics or research areas that are strongly or centrally concerned with Europe. This definition includes comparative and trans-regional research in which Europe and the European experience play a key or anchoring role.
 
As for the boundaries of Europe, CES defines the continent as that land mass which is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and which stretches east to Russia, Turkey, and the Caucasus. Additionally, we consider certain areas to the south and west of this land mass (such as the U.K., Iceland, Greenland, and the Balearic Isles) to be part of Europe. 

Does my institution need to be in Europe to join the CES Academic Consortium?

Geography is not a constraint of membership. The Council for European Studies is an international organization with members and supporters on every continent and is excited to welcome new institutions from around the globe to the Consortium.

How can my institution become a member of the Consortium?

Those institutions wishing to express interest in joining CES may do so by completing our Institutional Membership Application Form.

What institutions can benefit from the promotional reduced rate?

CES offers a reduced institutional membership rate to community colleges and institutions in the Global South.

What is the process for becoming a member of the Consortium?

After being nominated for membership and/or invited by CES, prospective member institutions must complete an online membership application form. These application materials will then be sent to the Institutional Membership Committee, a subcommittee of the CES Executive Committee, for review. If accepted, the new institutional member will receive a new member packet, an invoice for member dues, and they will be provided with information about how to activate or obtain the various benefits of membership.

Is there a deadline for membership nominations and applications?

No, there are no set deadlines.  Both nominations and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

How long does it take for the Institutional Membership Committee to make a decision?

About 3-5 business days. However, applications are handled on an accelerated basis during fellowship application season.

What will I need to apply to become a member of CES’ Academic Consortium?

You will have to submit the online membership application form, which includes institutional contact information, some basic stats about your institution (i.e. faculty and student population numbers as well as relevant programs offered at your institution), contact information for both an administrative liaison and a faculty/research liaison, and a short statement explaining why your institution wishes to join CES.

What is the difference between the “administrative liaison” and the “faculty/research liaison”?

The administrative liaison is responsible for the practical aspects of your institution’s membership. This person will receive and process invoices for membership dues, occasional cooperative agreements, and see to it that your institution’s subscriptions are properly activated.
 
The faculty/research liaison is the official connection between CES and the intellectual community of scholars interested in Europe at your institution. This will be the person receiving publicity materials from CES about relevant programs to disseminate to interested parties. He or she will also on occasion be contacted by CES to assist with local conferences or other programs in the area.
 
Additionally, both liaisons serve as back-ups for each other.  In the event that one or the other liaison moves to a new position, CES will still have a way to get in touch with your institution.

What criteria does the Institutional Membership Committee consider when reviewing applications?

The Institutional Membership Committee considers a variety of factors when reviewing applications for new institutional members. However, historically they have been most interested in the following:

  • Participation and engagement – The Committee reviews the level of past involvement that affiliated faculty and staff from applicant institutions have had with the Council. This includes conference attendance, fellowship applications, and prize nominations. 
  • Need and access to resources – The Committee assesses each institution’s level of need for the benefits and professional development resources which are routinely provided by membership in CES.
  • Europeanist population– The Committee considers the size, productivity, and engagement of the population of Europeanists at applicant institutions. Institutions with high numbers of scholars working on Europe will be advantaged in the application review process.
  • Network access– The Committee places a premium on establishing connections in countries where CES hasn’t historically had a sizable presence. CES seeks to engage these areas with the international community of Europeanists and will look favorably upon applicant institutions from these areas as part of its community-building mission.

How can I pay membership dues?

Membership dues may be paid conveniently via Debit/Credit Card, Check, PayPal, or Wire Transfer (applicable Transfer Fees added). If you would like to renew your CES membership, or would like to enroll as a library, please visit the Institutional Membership page to make a payment.  If your institution is not a current CES member, you must apply for membership before submitting any payments. 

How long does my institution’s membership last?

Memberships are considered active for 365 days following the receipt of membership dues.

If you still have unanswered questions about membership in CES, don’t hesitate to be in touch with us directly at memberships@ces-europe.org.