The Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs, Stiftung Mercator, the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke mourn the loss of Dr Klaus Scharioth. He passed away on 30 October 2025 at the age of 79. After 35 years in Foreign Service, most recently as German Ambassador to the United States, he served as Rector of the Mercator Fellowship from 2011 to 2024, leaving a lasting mark on the institution. Until his death, he was also Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke, whose development he had supported with his advice and as a door opener since 2013.
As rector of the Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs, Klaus Scharioth supported generations of fellows “who want to make a difference and gave them the tools they need to do so,” as he himself put it. He prepared them, with passion and conviction, to work for a better world. He always encouraged the fellows to express critical views clearly yet kindly, always urging open dialogue, behind closed doors, in the spirit of his personal motto: “Don’t be afraid of royal thrones.” He loved discussing the fellows’ questions on long walks with them, genuinely engaging with their ideas and often remarking that he learned just as much from them. He called his work for the Mercator Fellowship a “stroke of luck for me”.
“Klaus Scharioth has made an invaluable contribution to the Mercator Fellowship and to the Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke. Without him, neither institution would be what it is today,” says Dr Wolfgang Rohe, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Stiftung Mercator, in recognition of his achievements. “He was a masterful questioner in conversations, and those who answered his questions always came away with a better and more precise understanding of their own point of view.” With unwavering energy and great confidence, he opened doors and connected people and institutions. His passion was to nurture young talent and support them on their journey. The many alumni of the Fellowship will always remain grateful to him.
Dr Annette Julius, Secretary General of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation, adds: “Klaus Scharioth embodied an extremely rare combination of broad international experience, the highest level of professional competence and authority, and at the same time remarkable approachability, attentiveness, and humility. Supporting the fellows was not a mere duty to him, but a matter close to his heart.” His unique ability to listen, to engage with people on an equal footing, and to challenge them to self-reflect with precise questions created encounters of true depth and mutual respect.
“Klaus Scharioth impressed us all with his unwavering commitment to mutual understanding and his sincere interest in the people he met.” Dr Daniel Grütjen, Managing Director of the Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke explains. “He asked questions and listened attentively instead of putting himself in the spotlight. It was a privilege to work alongside him and learn from him.” Scharioth had chaired the organisation’s Advisory Board since 2013, guiding it through difficult discussions with integrity, clarity and professionalism. His humanity and his deep conviction of the importance of German-Turkish youth exchange were a constant inspiration and a moral compass for our team.
Our thoughts are with his family. Klaus Scharioth was married and father of three children. We will remember him with great gratitude: as a role model, an inspiration and a lasting commitment to our work.
About Klaus Scharioth
Dr Klaus Scharioth served as Rector of the Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs from 2011 to 2024 and chaired the Advisory Board of the German-Turkish Youth Bridge from 2013 onwards. From 2006 to 2011, he was Germany’s Ambassador to the United States. Prior to that, he held the post of State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office (2002–2006). Having joined the diplomatic service in 1976, Scharioth held numerous senior positions, including Political Director at the Federal Foreign Office and at NATO. Most recently, he taught at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Massachusetts, where he also earned his doctorate following studies in law and related disciplines.
CONTACT FOR MEDIA INQUIERIES
Stiftung Mercator
Lothar Kuhn | Director Communications
T +49 201-245 22-36 | lothar.kuhn@stiftung-mercator.de
German Academic Scholarship Foundation
Dr Miriam Lormes | Communications / Chief Editor
T+49 228 82096 358 | lormes@studienstiftung.de
Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke
Melanie Liedtke | Communications Manager
T +49 211 972676 64 | liedtke@jugendbruecke.de
ABOUT THE MERCATOR FELLOWSHIP ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
The Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs is a joint project of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and Stiftung Mercator, in cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office. The current Rector is former Ambassador Sabine Sparwasser, who served most recently as Germany’s Ambassador to Canada and succeeded Dr Scharioth in September 2024. The Fellowship provides a forum for individuals from diverse disciplines and sectors to develop solutions to global challenges. Its mission is to foster broad awareness of global interconnections and to encourage the exchange of regional and sectoral perspectives.
ABOUT STIFTUNG MERCATOR
Stiftung Mercator is a private, independent, and non-profit foundation that acts on the basis of scientific expertise and practical project experience. Since 1996, it has been advocating for a society based on solidarity and participation. To this end, it supports and develops projects that improve participation and cohesion in an increasingly diverse community. Stiftung Mercator stands up for a cosmopolitan, democratic Europe, a digital transformation of state and society based on fundamental rights, and socially just climate change mitigation. Stiftung Mercator pursues activities in Germany, Europe, and worldwide. It feels particularly connected to the Ruhr area, home of its founder’s family and the foundation’s headquarters.
ABOUT THE GERMAN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
The German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) is Germany’s oldest and largest organisation supporting academically gifted students. Funded primarily through public means, it provides financial and intellectual support to highly talented and socially engaged students and doctoral candidates. Its members represent a wide spectrum of political, religious, and philosophical perspectives within the framework of democratic values. The Foundation’s mission is to promote the university education of young people “whose high academic or artistic talent and character suggest exceptional contributions to society.” Currently, it supports around 13,900 undergraduates and 1,400 doctoral candidates.
ABOUT DEUTSCH-TÜRKISCHE JUGENDBRÜCKE
The Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke (German-Turkish Youth Bridge) is the central specialist and funding agency for youth and school exchanges between Germany and Turkey. Its mission is to foster encounters, empowerment, and civic participation among young people from both countries. The organisation aims to enable as many young people as possible to meet, learn about each other’s countries, overcome prejudices, build friendships, and grow into confident, open-minded individuals. By promoting essential social and professional skills, it equips young people to thrive in increasingly mobile, multicultural, and digital societies – and helps strengthen youth participation and bilateral relations between Germany and Turkey.
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