What Is CGES at Georgetown University?

Updated

CGES is the BMW Center for German and European Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. It is a research and teaching center focused on Europe, with a stated mission to "conduct path breaking research on Europe and train the next generation of transatlantic leaders." If you are looking for a graduate program in transatlantic or European affairs, a source of Europe-focused events and analysis, or a research center to follow, CGES is the relevant Georgetown unit.

What CGES actually does

The center's work falls into three visible areas, based on its site:

  • Graduate education through the Transatlantic Master's Program (MAES), which it describes as the MAES community and invites prospective students to apply to.
  • Research and public programming on Europe and transatlantic relations, including lectures and academic conferences.
  • Student-run media, through the podcast The Europe Desk.

The center also maintains a mailing list and a giving/support page, which suggests it functions as a community hub for students, alumni, and outside audiences interested in European affairs.

The Transatlantic Master's Program (MAES)

The master's program is the center's main degree offering. The site does not publish curriculum details, tuition, or admission requirements on the pages captured here, so treat the following as what is confirmed rather than a full program guide:

Aspect What the site indicates
Program name Transatlantic Master's Program (MAES)
Host BMW Center for German and European Studies, Georgetown University
Location advantage Washington, DC, described by a student as the best place to study international relations
Flexibility A student notes the program allows freedom to pursue specialized interests alongside a broad background in transatlantic relations
Research support Students cite professors and academic supervisors as instrumental in PhD preparation
Practical experience Students can work on The Europe Desk podcast as producers

Student profiles on the site give a sense of outcomes and experience. One student describes using MAES to prepare for a political science PhD focused on EU migration competencies; another cites the DC location and the balance of broad and specialized study; a third highlights podcast production as a skill-building opportunity.

To apply or get specifics, the site directs you to a "How to Apply" page and an "Apply now!" link from the program section. Because the captured material does not include deadlines, fees, or eligibility, check those pages directly before planning an application.

Events and public programming

CGES runs "transatlantic events... from lunch lectures to academic conferences," with an upcoming-events page linked from the homepage. Recent event recaps show the range of speakers the center hosts:

  • Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, delivering the 8th Herbert Quandt Distinguished Lecture on strategic challenges for the global auto industry (March 2026).
  • Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, in conversation (October 2025).
  • A book talk on The German Empire, 1871–1918 (September 2025).
  • Oana-Silvia Țoiu, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Romania, the US, and NATO's eastern flank (September 2025).

If you are in the DC area or follow European policy, the events page is the practical entry point; the recaps are useful if you want a sense of the topics and speaker level before attending.

The Europe Desk podcast

The Europe Desk is a student-run podcast hosted through the center. The site points to a page for the latest episodes. For prospective students, it is also a concrete example of the hands-on work available in the program; for general listeners, it is a free way to sample how the center and its students discuss European affairs.

Who should pay attention to CGES

  • Prospective graduate students interested in European studies, transatlantic relations, or EU policy, especially those who value a Washington, DC base and research mentorship.
  • Policy and academic audiences who want lectures, conferences, and commentary from European officials and scholars.
  • Listeners and readers who want a student-produced view of European issues through The Europe Desk.

The clearest next steps depend on your goal: use the "How to Apply" page if you are considering MAES, the upcoming-events page if you want to attend programming, and the podcast page if you want to start listening. For anything involving cost, deadlines, or admission criteria, rely on those official pages rather than the homepage summary.