A Decade of Developing Think Tank Leaders
The 10th edition of the School for Thinktankers returns to Fundació Bofill in Barcelona in 2026! Over the past decade, this flagship programme has equipped future think tank leaders with the skills, strategies, and networks needed to navigate the evolving policy landscape and drive meaningful impact.
Designed for both emerging and established thinktankers, the School offers an immersive learning experience covering the multiple dimensions of thinktanking—from strategic leadership and research impact to funding models and policy engagement. Led by experienced think tank directors and policy experts, the programme combines expert-led sessions, observational visits, and peer learning to help participants strengthen their organisations and their leadership.
📍 Location: Fundació Bofill, Barcelona
📆 Dates: To be announced (end of January/Early February)
SUBMIT YOUR EARLY-BIRD APPLICATION
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 list of 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.
- Additional online sessions with experts from across the world.
- 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.
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.
Trainers

Krizna Gomez
Founder and CEO, Tala Strategies (Foresight, Systems Change and Impact Strategy)
View all 'Krizna Gomez' posts
Sonja Stojanovic Gajic
Founder and leader, Public Engagement
View all 'Sonja Stojanovic Gajic' postsTestimonials from 2025
Participant | Olivia Darby, Co-Founder, WONDER Foundation
“Last week, I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and join the On Think Tanks School for Think Tankers in Barcelona. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I knew why I was there: to explore how WONDER Foundation can work more strategically to amplify the voices of the women and girls in our projects—and the women leading them.”
Trainer | John Schwartz, CEO of Soapbox
“We’ve run a successful branding workshop at the school for the last 5 years. But this year we switched things up and developed an intensive new User Experience session….These fabulous think tankers worked tirelessly for three straight hours creating and testing user-centred wireframes and sitemaps.”
Participant & Building For The Future Grantee | Julia-Chiara Gruber, EPIS ThinkTank
“The week was filled with thought-provoking lectures and hands-on workshops on key topics such as Good Governance & People Management, Fundraising, Policy Influence, and Strategic Communication—all crucial elements for running a successful Think Tank.”
Trainer | Lilia Rizk, Head Coordinator, Policy Center for the New South
“Thank you On Think Tanks for inviting me and the Policy Center for the New South to join your group of trainers for this year’s edition of the School for Think Tankers, and for the opportunity to articulate the why, what, and how of strategic partnerships for change & impact in the Think Tank space!”
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].
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