ECFR: Submission Guidelines

About ECFR

The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is a pan-European think tank focused on European foreign policy, with offices across the continent.

Topics they accept

ECFR accepts external contributions on European foreign policy. If your piece sits at the edge of these areas, frame the pitch around the overlap rather than the exception — editors commission what they can place in an existing coverage line.

Formats

The outlet primarily publishes commentary. Match the format to the argument: a single sharp claim belongs in the shortest format the outlet runs, while a piece that needs evidence laid out in sequence belongs in the longer one.

Length requirements

Typical length: 900-1,400 words. Treat this as the range editors expect to edit, not a hard ceiling. If your draft runs long, cut background before you cut evidence.

Response time

Reported response time: about 3 weeks. Response windows are typical ranges reported by contributors, not guarantees. If the window passes, one short follow-up note is professional; more than one is pushy.

What editors look for

• Write European: show how the issue plays differently across member states rather than treating Europe as one actor.
• Commentary here is argument-driven — one clear claim, defended with specific examples from capitals.
• The three-week window is longer than most; pitch time-sensitive pieces elsewhere or flag the news hook clearly.

How to submit

Submission routes change from time to time, so always start from the outlet's own website: look for a "Submissions", "Write for us", or "Guidelines" page and follow the current instructions there. Read three or four recent pieces in your topic area before you draft, so tone, depth, and paragraph style match the house.

Looking for a home for tech-policy commentary? Strategic Insight Institute is currently accepting pitches — see the submission guidelines.