The European Union Center (EUC) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) seeks the designation of a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for the academic years 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018. Under this Action, Pitt’s EUC’s proposed Program “Transatlantic Conversations on Research, Policy, and Wicked Problems” (EU TRAC) will enhance existing programming and create new and innovative activities that will advance the goals of 1) promoting research and teaching on the European Union’s structure, policy debates, and its role in global political and economic developments; and 2) promote a greater understanding of the EU and relations between the EU and US; and 3) create research and learning opportunities for academics, students, policy-makers and professionals, and the public more generally. Major themes for the 2015-18 period will include: 1) the Transatlantic relationship; 2) interdisciplinarity and “wicked” problem solving; and 3) social equality/social justice. Proposed activities include: two major policy conferences bringing together academics and practitioners; a faculty research workshop; bringing visiting scholars to Pitt to present their research and engage with members of the Pitt community (including 1 scholar per year who will compete for a Summer Research Scholars grant to work in Pitt’s unique EU Documentary Collection); providing travel grants for faculty and advanced graduate students to pursue original research projects related to European Union studies; an innovative approach to the EUC’s traditional capstone course requirement in EU studies ; and a series of “virtual briefings” aimed at improving the dialogue between academics, policy makers, and relevant actors within civil society with regard to specific sectors impacted by EU-US transatlantic trade relations. Pitt will also continue to disseminate widely the most current scholarly debates and research, through social media platforms and the Pittsburgh Papers on the EU e-journal.