The Macroeconomic Transformation Hub (MacroHub) is an initiative by the Network for Pluralist Economics that supports the development, clarification and public translation of macroeconomic policy alternatives and to contribute to greater collaboration and coordination in the within the new economic thinking ecosystem.
The MacroHub awards small grants of up to €4,000 to support short studies and collaborative workshops that help surface, contextualize and design practical macroeconomic policy options for today’s political debates.
What we fund
Short Studies
Short studies are concise, targeted papers (4–10 pages) that present one or more macroeconomic policy alternatives. They are aimed at experts in the new-economy field as well as policy influencers and decision-makers. Because our audience spans technical specialists and policy practitioners, we expect submissions to be simultaneously rigorous and readable. We fund short studies (4-10 pages) that detail one or more macroeconomic policy alternatives. The target audience includes experts in the new economy field, as well as policy multipliers and decision-makers.
Your study does not necessarily need to conceptualise new policy instruments. We encourage submissions that provide a clear overview and synthesis of an existing reform discourse, offer a historical context for a specific policy debate and its political implications, or translates a theoretical or scientific economic debate into terms relevant for public policy.
Application Requirement: Each short study application should include a concise abstract (200-300 words) outlining the central policy question, the specific macroeconomic alternative(s) to be analysed, and the expected relevance for current policy debates. It should briefly situate the topic within existing debates, identify the contribution the study aims to make (e.g., policy prototyping, synthesis, historical contextualisation, translation of academic insights), and describe the intended structure of the final 4–10 page paper.
Collaborative Workshops
Collaborative workshops are small, process-focused gatherings (online, in-person or hybrid; half day or full day) dedicated to the structured exchange of ideas around one or more macroeconomic policy alternatives. These gatherings are designed to bring together experts, scientists, and practitioners from different institutional backgrounds. We aim to create direct, cross-organizational exchanges between heterodox economics, policy and civil-society actors to encourage dialogue, problem-solving and mutual learning. While a one-page documentation of the discussion is required, the workshops are process-oriented and are not expected to produce formal, consensus-based outcomes.
Application Requirement: Applicants should submit a one-page description (approx. 300 words) of their planned format, participant mix, facilitation approach, and expected costs. Grants may cover facilitation, speaker fees, modest travel, catering, and venue costs.
Our Thematic Focus
We welcome submissions on a wide range of macroeconomic policy alternatives, with a particular interest in themes that are currently underrepresented in the new economy discourse. These include, but are not limited to:
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- Macroeconomic Planning and Coordination
- Price Controls and related comprehensive steering mechanisms
- Nationalization and Socialization of key sectors
- Wealth Taxation and radical fiscal redistribution
- Public Banking and Alternative Credit Systems
- Ecological Macroeconomic Modeling and Green Industrial Policy
- Monetary–Fiscal Coordination and democratic monetary reforms
Application and Timeline
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- To apply, please submit a one-page abstract or project description (up to 300 words in .docx format) to vernetzung@plurale-oekonomik.de.
- Language: Applications and final projects (studies or workshop documentation) can be submitted in either German or English.
- Application Deadline: 10 March 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: By 31 March 2026
- Project Period: Funded studies and workshops are to be completed between 01 April 2026 and 15 December 2026.
- For questions, please contact Dana Moriße at d.morisse@plurale-oekonomik.de.
