Call for papers | Study: Competing visions of global order – role(s) of the EU

• Working title: competing visions of global order– role(s) of the EU
• Deliverable: Research and write comparative study on current, competing visions of global order. Present findings at a (digital) round-table.
• Audience: EU policymakers and media, think tanks, academia
• Format: 20-25 pages (A4 format), including charts/infographics that illustrate key findings; Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU will provide graphic design and publication in its corporate design
• Timeline: Please send your application by Tuesday 20 October 2026, 23:59 CEST; if accepted: first draft by Friday 4 December 2026 EOB, followed by a feedback loop with Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU | Global Dialogue, a final draft is to be handed in by Wednesday 30 December 2026 EOB.
• Budget: Only offers of up to 15.000 € excluding VAT, excluding costs for layout, graphic design and proofreading, will be considered

Context

“We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in his January 2026 speech in Davos. “The old [global] order is not coming back”. Many observers term this current state “an interregnum”. In this in-between phase, competing visions of world order are being put forth. Carney called upon middle powers to “build[…] what we claim to believe in” and to “creat[e] institutions and agreements that function as described”. Also in January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump pushed for a different order exemplified in his “Board of Peace”, initially a public international organisation, for which permanent seats had to be bought. In June, Chinese leadership published a White Paper titled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions” which describes Beijing’s vision for a new global order – to name just a few circulating concepts. By contrast, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds that “Europe can no longer be a custodian for the old-world order”. What the EU wants, however, remains vague. And yet, the European Union must navigate this re-negotiation of global rules and roles. At the same time, proclaimed visions of global order do not necessarily correspond to the order that is actually emerging. The challenge is not only to identify the different visions being advanced, but also to assess how they relate to changing practices and power relations, where they compete or overlap, and what they mean for Europe’s ability to act and shape the emerging order.

Aim

The study should map and compare the main competing visions of global order currently being advanced and assess their relevance for the emerging international system. This will increase the understanding of the status quo as well as the different scenarios for future order. The study should clarify the characteristics of the different visions for global order, their proponents and opponents, the strategies, means and institutions employed to pursue these visions, and identify who has something to gain/lose in each order. It should examine where these visions may conflict, overlap or coexist.

Particular attention should be paid to the implications for the EU of each vision. It should highlight the role assigned to the EU under the different visions, the EU’s response to each vision to date, and its capacity to shape the emerging international system. The study should identify strategic choices, opportunities and constraints for the EU and contribute to the debate about the elements of a European approach to global order. 

Key elements

• Short discussion of the concept of global order
• Presentation of the status quo and current, competing visions for world order (including description of the vision and its genesis: its characteristics, rules and roles, “authors”, supporters/opponents, means and institutions of advancement, highlighting the role of/consequences for the EU in each vision, discussion of sources)
• Comparison of the identified visions
• Visualisation of different visions
• Discussion of how EU/member states are responding to these visions and recommendations on how they should respond
• Recommendations towards the development of a European vision

How to apply for this call

We welcome submissions from academics, researchers, think tankers and journalists, with strong expertise in the field of international relations.

Please submit applications by Tuesday 20 October 2026, 23:59 CEST, to Dr. Katharina Emschermann (Katharina.Emschermann [at] eu.boell.org), in one single pdf document:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) of any authors. Please use a standard format, max. 2 pages in PDF. Do not include a photo, date of birth, religion, or marital status.
• Pitch document (1 page PDF). Outline the following:
  • Your qualifications and relevant experience
  • Your research proposal: How do you plan to approach the research questions? How do you intend to scope and structure your research? What methods do you plan on using?
• A budget proposal based on daily rates, excluding layout of print/online publication and excluding costs of proofreading
• Work samples. Submit two samples of previous (academic) work, either as PDFs or links.