With its changing annual themes, the institute specifically engages in current discussions within the discipline, which are then analyzed by an international group of scholarship recipients within a program of study.

Working in various formats—such as lectures, workshops, reading courses, excursions, study days, and the closing annual congress—is beneficial to the individual research projects. Furthermore, the rich program of events allows for the establishment of connections with longer-term research projects at the institute. The large number of qualified applicants not only from Germany and France but also other European countries and even from the United States, is a testament to the widespread interest in this research program.

Proven experts accompany the scholarship recipients in their research. This research is concluded with a colloquium and is published in an annual volume, which, in the future, will be available online.