Policy Bylines
ECFR: Submission Guidelines
ECFR accepts commentary of 900-1,400 words on European foreign policy, with a response window of around three weeks.
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 takes outside contributions on European foreign policy. If your piece sits at the edge of those areas, frame the pitch around the overlap; editors commission what they can place in a coverage line they already run.
Formats
ECFR 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
Aim for 900-1,400 words. Treat that as the range editors expect to edit, and the ceiling is soft. If your draft runs long, cut background before you cut evidence.
Response time
Reported turnaround: about 3 weeks. Contributors report this as a typical range, not a guarantee. 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 instead of 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
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.
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