The Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies (WCED) is announcing that it will have new organizational funding heading into the 2024 fiscal year.

The WCED was established alongside the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia in 2008 with a gift from Ronald and Eileen Weiser. For 15 years, WCED has operated as one of the world's strongest research and teaching centers on growing and sustaining democracy around the world. We remain grateful for the generous support from the Weisers that helped build the center to what it is today.

In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Weisers have decided to reallocate their gift to increase funding for the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia to support Ukraine’s efforts to build and sustain a democratic, autonomous government—a move that closely aligns with their long-term support for Eastern Europe.

The WCED will continue to be funded by the university with support from the Office of the Provost, the College of Literature, Science, & the Arts, and the International Institute.  

The center’s work will continue as it has and there will be no impact to staffing levels under this funding change. In addition, the following elements of the center will remain largely unchanged:

  • WCED Freedoms Under Fire Residency will continue to be supported by the U-M International Institute and the Knight-Wallace Fellows. 

  • The WCED Steering Committee will continue.

  • WCED Postdoctoral Fellowships will continue.

  • Current graduate student funding commitments will be honored.

Above all, the center remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting democracy around the world. We look forward to this next chapter in its ongoing story.

FAQs

What administrative changes will result from this funding shift?

  • WCED Freedoms Under Fire Residency will continue to be supported by the U-M International Institute and the Knight-Wallace Fellows. 

  • The WCED Steering Committee will continue.

  • WCED Postdoctoral Fellowships will continue.

  • Current graduate student funding commitments will be honored.

Will any staff be laid off, or positions eliminated, due to this change?

  • No.

WCED currently publishes a book series with U-M Press. What will happen to that?

  • The series will continue to be published.

Will there be changes to the center’s mission?

  • The center remains steadfast in its commitment to researching and supporting democracy around the world, and will continue to vigorously pursue that mission while adapting to changing conditions in the world at large.