The John F. Kennedy Institute
The John F. Kennedy Institute is renowned for its innovative interdisciplinary research as well as its rigorous study programs. Founded in 1963 by the political scientist Ernst Fraenkel, the institute is dedicated to the study of the United States and Canada in all its facets. The six disciplines brought together at the institute, the numerous scholarships and exchange programs which it sponsors in addition to its world class research library create a unique academic environment. Disciplinary diversity and in-depth intellectual inquiry lay the foundation for excellence in research and teaching.
Departments
The John F. Kennedy Institute brings together six different disciplines
Graduate School
The JFKI’s Graduate School of North American Studies (GSNAS) has been funded by the German Research Foundation as part of the Excellence Initiative since 2006. In its academic framework, the Graduate School is dedicated to a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of North American societies from the early modern era to the present. Between 2019 and 2024, the GSNAS’s Research Focus will be on changing notions of “democracy” in North America.
News
Newsletter
Our newsletter appears once every semester and contains reports about recent events and activities, updates on new publications, and other news from the six departments.