Call for Applications: U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture 2026 Cohort
Agriculture plays a major role in economies, societies, and the environment globally. The sector faces significant challenges due to global population growth, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, energy insecurity, and climate change. Geopolitical events have added stress to supply chains and led to rising investment costs, price volatility, and global trade conflicts. Furthermore, land-use conflicts between agriculture and development, public concerns about animal wellbeing, and chronic labor shortages have compounded the difficulties that farmers face in producing the safe and affordable food that societies demand. These factors have increased pressure on farms and farmers, as the industry already struggles to recruit younger generations and as a rapidly changing field places new demands on established professionals. Identifying new ways to face these challenges is essential.
Both Germany and the United States are central to shaping a more resilient agricultural future. Both countries face similar challenges, and fostering a deeper understanding of diverse agricultural practices and standards is essential to provide joint leadership in shaping the future of agriculture. The U.S.-German Future Forum Agriculture, led by the Aspen Institute Germany in collaboration with implementing partner, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, addresses this need by facilitating dialogue and collaboration between German and U.S. farmers and key stakeholders from research and business. Through the exchange of experiences, the opportunity to visit best practices on-site, and the establishment of new transatlantic networks, this project will promote innovative approaches for the future of agriculture and rural areas.
2026 Cohort Focus
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis from farmers and other key agricultural stakeholders living in the U.S. or Germany to apply to be a part of this unique transatlantic dialogue during the fourth program year in 2026. In addition to the fundamental social, economic, and political importance of agriculture for rural regions, this fourth cohort will focus in particular on the core topic of animal health and wellbeing in swine and poultry production.
Ensuring animal health and wellbeing in pig and poultry farming is essential for economic, environmental, and food safety reasons. These sectors play a vital role in meeting global demand for meat products, and the wellbeing of animals directly affects the quality, safety, and consistency of the end products. Healthy animals grow more efficiently, convert feed more effectively, and are less susceptible to disease. By prioritizing animal health and wellbeing, the swine and poultry industries can enhance productivity and ensure safe, high-quality food for consumers.
On both sides of the Atlantic, animal health and wellbeing are increasingly complex topics as demand for animal products that meet sustainability standards and ethical considerations grows. Producers also face the growing challenge of disease management. Both sectors are susceptible to various diseases that can spread rapidly in farms with high animal densities. Diseases not only threaten animal health, but also pose an economic threat as productivity declines. The threat of exotic diseases, such as African swine fever in Germany and avian influenza in the US, adds another dimension to the complex dynamics of pig and poultry farming.
The 2026 cohort will investigate questions such as:
- How can economic optimization and animal health and wellbeing be better reconciled?
- What practical measures can reduce the risks to animal health and wellbeing?
- How can pig and poultry farmers be supported through policy and technological solutions to maximize animal health and wellbeing?
Program Outline and Benefits of Participation
To explore these questions, the project will give participants the opportunity to engage with international peers and other leaders in the field and shape the transatlantic dialogue on agriculture during in-person and virtual programming, to include:
- Approximately 10-12 Interactive virtual workshops between February and June 2026 (approximately 15-20 hours total). Meetings are closed to the public and follow Chatham House Rules to encourage open dialogue and a private setting.
- Two 3.5-day in-person meetings (not including travel time) in Hildesheim, Lower Saxony, Germany and Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Collaboration on a joint publication of recommendations to be released in August/September 2026
- A virtual closing event in September 2026
During the program, participants will learn more about agricultural practices and policies in each other’s countries, conduct site visits to see best practices and innovative solutions on the ground, and explore opportunities for transatlantic collaboration. Participants are expected to actively and consistently contribute to the development of concrete policy recommendations for the national and transatlantic levels, which will be published and presented in a final closing event. Costs for participation (travel, accommodation, meals) will be covered by the project.
Eligibility
Applicants for this exchange program must:
- be active farmers and/or work in agriculture-related business, research, etc.
- have at least 3 years of experience in the field of agriculture
- be able to actively participate in all components of the virtual and in-person exchange
- be able to participate in the development and publication of recommendations in the form of a publication and a final event
- have an interest in animal health and wellbeing in pig and poultry farming
- have an interest in supporting agriculture and agricultural producers
- have sufficient knowledge of English
- applicants must be living and working in Germany or the United States
Application Process
To apply, please complete the application as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until then: https://forms.office.com/e/FdfSzFW0L6
If you have any questions, you can contact Katja Greeson at greeson@aspeninstitute.de.
Disclaimer: Program components and schedule are subject to change due to changes in travel restrictions.
The project is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWE).
