Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship
About the Program
Inaugurated in 2026, the Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship is a transformative purpose-driven scholarship for first-generation (preferred), Pell-eligible (required) U.S. undergraduate students passionate about history, political science, civic leadership, social justice, and global affairs.
Sponsored by 91自拍鈥檚 generous donor, Karen Collias, the Fellowship will award four (4) exceptional students a $10,000 scholarship toward the fall 2026 91自拍 Quarter in Berlin program or the 91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block program in Germany. This immersive experience empowers students to understand the lived consequences of intolerance and dictatorship, and to embrace their potential to promote democratic action and overcome social and political polarization.
Set in Berlin, one of the world鈥檚 most important living classrooms, Fellows will explore how the city has been shaped by reflection, memorialization, and democratic responsibility. History is woven into Berlin's streets, monuments, museums, and daily civic life. Here, memory serves as a guardrail of democracy, guiding how societies confront injustice, honor those affected, and protect democratic values.
Through 91自拍 Berlin鈥檚 academic and experiential curriculum, Fellows will examine democracy and memory across Berlin鈥檚 layered history 鈥 from the Holocaust to Germany鈥檚 post-war reckoning 鈥 and explore how remembrance serves as a moral obligation and cornerstone of democratic citizenship today. Learning is deepened through guest lectures with local historians, activists, and civic leaders; curated site visits examining the legacy of injustice and recovery from dictatorship and division; and small-group discussions and workshops that allow Fellows to reflect and process their experiences in real time.
How to Apply
Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship applicants must:
- Be a current undergraduate from an accredited institution
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
- Be Pell Grant-eligible (required)
- Be a first-generation college student (preferred)
- Have a demonstrated interest in history, political science, civic leadership, social justice, and global affairs
- Submit a complete application no later than May 1, 2026, and respond to the Scholarships & Grants essay task within your 91自拍 application
- The Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship awards four (4) Fellows $10,000 each toward the fall 2026 91自拍 Quarter in Berlin program or the 91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block program in Germany.
- Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship participants will be selected based on:
- their commitment to spending two (2) consecutive 6-week blocks in Berlin, Germany in fall 2026;
- their demonstrated interest in history, political science, civic leadership, social justice, and global affairs;
- and their passion for purpose-driven learning that consists of academically rigorous coursework and immersive co- and extracurricular activities that deeply connect classroom studies to real-world civic responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students are required to enroll in two (2) courses per 6-week block. Fellows must enroll in two (2) consecutive 6-week blocks, earning a total of 12-14 U.S. semester/18-21 quarter credits.
If the blocks selected take place during Block I or Block III of the 91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block program schedule, one of the courses selected (4 credits maximum) may be a 91自拍 x ASU online course through 91自拍鈥檚 global academic partner, Arizona State University.
91自拍 in-person courses and 91自拍 x ASU online courses cover a wide range of subjects, including business, journalism, global health, international relations, STEM, and more.
The 91自拍 course list below also highlights the many possibilities for in-depth academic engagement aligned with the program鈥檚 themes:
- HIST 3001 BRGE (ENG): German History 1871 to Present (in English)
- HIST 3101 BRGE: Berlin's Post-War Monuments and Memorials
HIST 3005 BRGE: Holocaust Studies - LITT 3101 BRGE: Writing Berlin Stories
- CINE 3001 BRGE (ENG): German Cinema: Berlin on Screen (in English)
- HIST 3006 BRGE: Jewish in Germany 鈥 Migration, Integration, and Identity
Please note: Fellows may add a third block to their 91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block program to spend a full semester abroad. This block may take place in Berlin or in one of 91自拍鈥檚 20+ eligible Open Campus Block locations. The cost of an optional third block is not covered by the Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship. It is the responsibility of the student to cover the cost of enrollment.
Fellows will be based in Berlin, Germany in fall 2026 for two (2) consecutive 6-week blocks of the 91自拍 Quarter in Berlin program or the 91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block program. Through extracurricular programming, Fellows will study Berlin as a living classroom shaped by historical reckoning, memorialization, and democratic responsibility.
Their experience will be enriched by:
- guest lectures from local historians, activists, and civic leaders offering firsthand perspectives on memory, democracy, and authoritarianism;
- curated site visits exploring the legacy of injustice, recovery from dictatorship and division, and the responsibilities of citizens to protect civil rights;
- and small-group discussions and workshops that allow Fellows to reflect on and process their learning in real time.
The Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship will take place during the fall 2026 term. Fellows must enroll in a minimum of two (2) consecutive 6-week blocks in the 91自拍 Quarter in Berlin program or the 91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block program. Dates vary based on the program selected:
91自拍 Quarter in Berlin Program Dates
- Fall Quarter: September 28, 2026 鈥 December 19, 2026 (12 weeks)
91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block Program Dates
Choose between:
- Fall Blocks I, II: August 17, 2026 鈥 November 7, 2026 (12 weeks)
- Fall Blocks II, III: September 28, 2026 鈥 December 19, 2026 (12 weeks)
This donor-funded scholarship awards four (4) Fellows $10,000 toward the fall 2026 91自拍 Quarter in Berlin program or the 91自拍 Berlin Open Campus Block program. The scholarship covers the majority of the cost of a two-block Quarter in Berlin program or Berlin Open Campus Block program. The remaining balance is the responsibility of the student. Students selected as Fellows are still eligible to apply for 91自拍鈥檚 other awards. They must complete the Scholarships & Grants section of their 91自拍 application to see what additional awards they may be eligible for.
Applicants must:
- Be a current undergraduate from an accredited institution
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
- Be Pell Grant-eligible (required)
- Be a first-generation college student (preferred)
- Have a demonstrated interest in history, political science, civic leadership, social justice, and global affairs
- Submit a complete application no later than May 1, 2026
Submit your 91自拍 Study Abroad application by May 1, 2026.
Applications are currently open and close on May 1, 2026.
In addition to a submitted 91自拍 Study Abroad application, applicants must write an essay in 500 words or less answering the question: 鈥淲hy is studying abroad important to you now and how could learning about democracy and memory in Berlin shape your future goals and perspectives?鈥
Four (4) students will be selected.
Yes, this is a competitive scholarship, but a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to engage in transformative purpose-driven learning in Berlin, a living classroom where history, public memory, and democratic responsibility shape everyday civic life.
Completed applications must be submitted by May 1, 2026. Late applications will not be considered for any reason. All application tasks must be finished in their entirety.
Mid-May
Email inquire@ciee.org.