Develop skills in the multiple dimensions of thinktanking and prepare for leadership.
We are excited to bring you a transformative experience at the School for Thinktankers 2025 in Barcelona, a hub of innovators and future-focused thinkers. The School is designed to enhance your think tank skills and empower you to excel in leadership roles. The ninth edition of the School is brought to you in partnership with Fundació Bofill. +
Apply now for the 2025 edition
What to expect
The programme combines an immersive 5-day onsite training plus interactive virtual sessions. It adopts a holistic learning approach and includes:
- Insightful workshops and sessions conducted by expert practitioners, including current and former think tank leaders, funders, policy experts, and communications specialists. See our past trainers.
- Observational tours and site visits to local think tanks and policy-related organisations. The visits offer participants an opportunity to understand different organisational structures and operational models.
- Valuable networking opportunities to connect with think tank experts and peers, funders, and other policy sector actors.
- Access to key resources such as curated reading lists, toolkits, and background notes written by think tank topic experts.
- A certificate of participation upon successful completion of the School to demonstrate participants’ commitment to professional development.
- The chance to join a global alumni network of over 250 thinktankers from 60 countries.
What you will learn
Our curriculum draws on over 14 years of OTT’s global policy expertise and focuses on the key elements of effective think tank leadership.
- Think tanks across the policy ecosystem
- Good governance and people management
- Finance for non-financial managers
- Communications for impact
- Policy influence and partnerships for change
- Future-proofing think tanks
*The final session topics under each theme will vary on trainer expertise, the interests of the cohort, and sector trends. Click on the blue + icon to learn more about the learning objectives of each module. +
Meet the expert trainers (more to come)
-
Goran Buldioski, Senior Fellow at the Hertie School +
-
Alice Vulliamy, Soapbox’s UX strategist and John Schwartz, Founder and CEO of Soapbox+
- David Watson, Chatham House, Managing Director, Communications and Publishing Department +
- Pol Morillas, Director of CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs)+
- Pol Bargués, Senior Research Fellow at CIDOB+
- Sonja Stojanovic Gajic, Founder and leader of Public Engagement +
- Enrique Mendizabal, Founder and Director OTT+
- Lídia Climent, Exec. Director of Educational Support of Fundació Bofill+
- Marc Garriga, Communications Director of Fundació Bofill+
- Krizna Gomez, Founder and CEO, Tala Strategies (Foresight, Systems Change and Impact Strategy)+
- Lilia Rizk, Head Coordinator of the Atlantic Dialogues, Policy Center for the New South+
Who can join?
- Experienced leaders: individuals in senior leadership roles at a policy research organisation. The leadership role can be across different organisational divisions (e.g. Communications Director, Research Director, CEO, Senior Fellow, Head of Finance).
- Emerging leaders: individuals in mid-level roles at a policy research organisation (e.g. HR Manager, Research Analyst, Programme Manager). A minimum of 1.5 years of experience is preferred.
Individuals from the following backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Think-tankers in the early stages of their career (e.g. research officer, communications officer etc.).
- Policy entrepreneurs interested in establishing their own think tanks.
- Funders working in evidence-informed policy or supporting think tank partners.
- Academics with a policy interest.
- Policymakers and professionals across the public/government sector.
- Professionals within the development and advocacy sectors.
- Career-changers seeking a transition into think tank work. A minimum of 2 years of experience in a different or related field is preferred.
Testimonials
Key Dates
Applications are assessed weekly.
- Early bird applications close on 13 September 2024
- Visa-dependent applications close on 18 November 2024*
- Standard applications close on 17 January 2025
*We urge participants needing a visa to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for visa arrangements. Visa processing can take 3-4 months. Please contact the Spanish embassy in your country to learn more about the timeline and plan your application accordingly.
Course Fee
We offer a partial scholarship for participants from selected countries to enable and encourage participation from across the world. Early bird applications are eligible for a 5% discount (limited spaces).
Group A countries/regions: 1,900 €
Group B countries/regions: 1,500 €
The School fee covers:
- A 5-day onsite programme, including expert lectures, group activities, site visits, and virtual training sessions
- Access to the online School platform and resources
- A study pack which includes a programme overview, background notes written by topic experts, and a city guide
- Coffee breaks and a light lunch every day of the School
- An evening networking reception
- Access to the OTT alumni network
- A certificate of participation on completing the course
The fee does not include travel and accommodation. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering these costs. We have prepared a list of accommodation options to help you get started. Please read our Payment Policy to make your payment on time.
Planning your Application
We recommend compiling the following information to help prepare your application.
- A motivational video (max 3 minutes) highlighting your experience with think tanks, your reasons for joining, and the benefits of the programme for your growth.
- An updated CV (max 3 pages).
- A letter of reference from your organisation (if applicable) including your name, role, how long you’ve worked in your current role, total tenure within the organisation, and endorsement of your participation.
- A high-resolution headshot (2×2 inches or 600×600 pixels).
- Visa application details (if applicable) and invoice information.
Q&A Session
Watch the Q&A session with the School for Thinktankers team here.
FAQs
What are the application deadlines? +
Who can join the School for Thinktankers? +
What happens if I pay my registration but do not obtain my visa? +
What is the application acceptance process? +
What do I need to complete my application? +
What is the cost of the School for Thinktankers? +
What does the application fee cover? +
What if I need additional support or accommodations due to special requirements? +
Partnerships and Support
The 2025 School for Thinktankers is delivered in partnership with Fundació Bofill. The School for Thinktankers is also made possible by the long-standing support of the Hewlett Foundation and the Robert Bosch Foundation. Past school partners and supporters also include Bruegel, Southern Voice, Universidad del Pacífico, foraus, The Think Tank Hub-Geneva, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Think Tank Initiative, and IDRC.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].