Max Weber Postdoctoral Programme at the European University Institute

The Max Weber Programme (MWP) at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence is considered one of the best postdoctoral alternatives in the humanities and social sciences. Open to students from wherever in the world, the programme supplies early-career researchers with funding, coaching, and mentorship to launch their educational careers.

Overview

• Open to candidates inside 5 years of finishing their PhD (or with official approval to defend earlier than the fellowship begin date).

• Disciplines: Economics, History, Law, Political and Social Sciences, plus alternatives with the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) and the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG).

• Annual cohort: 55–65 fellows chosen worldwide, with an acceptance price of lower than 5%.

• Preference is given to candidates who’ve simply accomplished their PhD and haven’t but held a postdoctoral fellowship.

• Language of the programme: English.

Fellowship Duration

The size of the fellowship relies on the educational unit:

• Law (LAW): 12 months solely.

• Economics (ECO) & Political and Social Sciences (SPS): 12 or 24 months. Second-year fellows might apply for a part-time assistant professor contract with instructing duties.

• History (HEC): 12 or 24 months. One two-year fellow may fit with the Alcide De Gasperi Research Centre.

• RSCAS: 12 or 24 months.

• STG: 24 months solely, with participation in instructing and faculty actions.

All fellowships run from September to August, with extensions to a 3rd 12 months doable solely in distinctive instances.

Grant and Benefits

• Basic grant: €2,500 per thirty days.

• Possible part-time instructing contract in 12 months two: ~€850 web per thirty days (along with the grant).

• Family allowances:

• Research funding: €1,000 per 12 months, plus as much as €1,000 additional for job-market actions.

• Health insurance coverage protection by means of the EUI’s plan (Cigna).

• Travel reimbursement: as much as €1,200 for round-trip journey at the begin and finish of the fellowship.

• Parental depart coverage: as much as 4 months of paid depart, with fellowship extension.

Additional Grants

Beyond the most important MWP, particular funding is typically out there by means of governments and foundations in:

• Finland, Germany, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, and Japan.

• These present comparable advantages to the most important fellowship.

• Opportunities differ yearly.

• Eligible candidates are routinely thought-about.

Applicants from Widening international locations (e.g., Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, and others) are particularly inspired to apply.

Eligibility

• PhD awarded between 1 September 2021 and 1 September 2026 (for the 2026–27 cohort).

• Defence should happen no later than 31 December 2026.

• Exceptions to the five-year rule for maternity/paternity depart, sickness, or obligatory service.

• Applicants should display English proficiency (degree C1). Accepted certificates embrace:

• Not eligible: present EUI doctoral college students, workers, or fellows. Former associates should have been away for at least one 12 months in full-time occupation.

Application Process

Applications are submitted by means of the online portal in two steps:

1. Register early – add private and referee particulars so references might be submitted in time.

2. Complete and submit by the deadline: 15 October 2025, 14:00 CEST.

Required Documents

• CV with publications (PDF).

• Academic profession assertion (1 web page).

• Research proposal (2 pages). For two-year candidates, define objectives for each years. Must additionally embrace a gender and variety reflection.

• Copy of passport (JPEG).

• Two to a few letters of reference submitted immediately by referees earlier than the deadline.

All paperwork should comply with EUI tips, together with restrictions on the use of generative AI in drafting supplies.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by the Director, school, and the Fellowship Steering Committee. Criteria embrace:

• Academic accomplishments and potential (PhD high quality, publications, dedication to educational profession).

• Strength and feasibility of the analysis proposal.

• Mentorship match with EUI school.

• Consideration of variety in gender, background, and nation of origin.

About 4–5% of candidates are awarded fellowships, with 5–10% positioned on reserve lists. The course of concludes by finish of January (March for Economics).

Visit HERE for extra particulars.

For General Inquiries Contact: Academic Service – European University Institute
Via dei Roccettini 9, I-50014 San Domenico di Fiesole
Email: applyfellow@eui.eu

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