TheMax Weber Fellowshipis one of the most prestigious postdoctoral research programs in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and historical studies.
It is offered by theEuropean University Institute (EUI)and is highly selective, with an acceptance rate ofless than 5%of all applicants worldwide. Each year,55 to 65 fellowshipsare awarded across the institute’s academic units:
- Economics
- History
- Law
- Political and Social Sciences
- Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
- Florence School of Transnational Governance
Fellowship Details
- Programme Start Date:September 1, 2026
- Duration:1 or 2 years, depending on the host academic unit.
- Study Location:The fellowship takes place inBadia Fiesolana, Italy, within theEuropean University Institute (EUI).
- Methodology: Residential– fellows reside on-site at the EUI during the fellowship period.
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2025, at 14:00 CEST
Fellowship Funding
- Monthly Stipend:€2,500 per month.
- Additional Allowances:Family allowances may be provided when applicable.
- Health Insurance:Comprehensive coverage.
- Research and Mission Fund:Each fellow receives €1,000 for research and academic activities.
- In the second year, eligible fellows may apply for apart-time Assistant Professor contract (ASSPR6/3)for 12 months, which includesan additional net salary of around €850 per monthalongside the fellowship grant.
- The program follows aParental Leave Policy.
Additional Funding Opportunities
In addition to the fellowships funded directly by theMax Weber Programme, there areextra grantssponsored by governments and foundations fromFinland, Germany, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, and Japan.
Citizens (and in some cases residents) of these countries may apply for these opportunities.
Eligible applicants ofany nationalitymay also apply for anadditional one-year fellowshipat theGraduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva (IHEID)— onlyone fellowis selected per year for this extension.
Note:The availability of these special grants varies from year to year depending on funding. However, the benefits and conditions are generally similar.
Who Can Apply?
- The Max Weber Programme is open to applicants from all around the world, regardless of nationality or country of residence, and isnot limited to EU citizens.
Applicants must have obtained theirPhD within the past five yearsfrom the date of application. - Preference is given to researchers who haverecently completed their doctorate, havenot previously held a postdoctoral fellowship, or are currentlyseeking an academic position.
- Thelanguage of the programme is English, and applicants must meet the required English proficiency standards.
- TheEuropean University Institute (EUI)is committed to promoting diversity in academic and cultural backgrounds among its participants. Therefore, itencourages applicants from underrepresented groupsin higher education or fromdisadvantaged social backgroundsto apply. Applicants may include any relevant details in the “Further information → Additional notes” section of the application form.
- Extensions to the five-year ruleare allowed in cases of maternity or paternity leave, illness, or compulsory military service.
- Researcherscurrently affiliatedwith the EUI—whether as doctoral candidates, staff members, or current fellows—are not eligible to apply.
- Former EUI affiliates may applyonly if they have worked or held a fellowship outside the Institute for at least one yearbefore the application deadline.
Academic Benefits
Fellows have access toexcellent research facilities, including:
- A world-class research library.
- Shared office spaces.
- Dedicated financial support for research and conference missions.
The program also providescomprehensive academic trainingin:
- Publishing and academic presentation.
- Teaching and academic mentoring.
- Applying for research grants and academic positions.
- Enhancing effective communication skills inEnglishfor diverse academic audiences.
English Language Requirements
Theminimum required levelisC1according to theCommon European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
An English certificate isnot required at the application stage, but accepted candidates must later provide proof of English proficiency, such as:
IELTS:Score of7.5 or higher
TOEFL iBT:Score of110 or higher
Cambridge Proficiency:GradesA/B/C
Cambridge Advanced:GradesA/B
Or proof of having written the PhD thesis or published an academic article of at least6,000 wordsin English.
*Native English speakersare exempt from this requirement.
Required Documents for the Application Form
Curriculum Vitae (PDF)with a list of publications.
Academic Career Statement (1 page):Explains the applicant’s motivation for joining the programme, their research and teaching interests, and career plans.
Research Proposal (2 pages):Should be clear, structured, and achievable within the fellowship duration.
For two-year fellowships, applicants should outline goals for each year.
Must include a reflection on how the research relates togender and diversity issues, or an explanation if these aspects are not relevant.
Copy of Passport (JPEG).
Details of Academic Referees:Two to three referees who must upload their letters directly through the online system before the deadline.
Proof of External Funding(if applicable).
Forinternal candidates (within the EUI), the following are also required:
Support letter from the academic supervisor.
Endorsement letter from the Head of Department.
Applicants must usestandard international fontsand avoidpasswords, logos, macros, or electronic signaturesin submitted files.
Notes on Letters of Recommendation
Must be submittedas PDF filesby the refereesdirectly through the online systembefore15 October 2025 (14:00 CEST).
Letters from full-time or part-time EUI professors will not be accepted.
Letters may be written in any language, butEnglish is preferredto ensure broader accessibility.
For any technical issues, referees may contact:
📩[email protected]
How to Apply
Applications must be submittedonlinethrough the official application form, which includestwo main stages:
Early Registration:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to register their personal information and referee detailsas early as possibleto allow sufficient time for referees to submit their recommendation letters before the deadline.Final Submission:
The final deadline for submission is15 October 2025 at 14:00 CEST.
Applicants can continue editing their application and attachments until this time, but shouldonly click “Submit” after carefully reviewing all details and final documents.