Max Weber Fellowship with €2,500 salary in Italy 2026

Scholarships for International

The Max Weber Fellowship is one of the most prestigious postdoctoral research programs in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and historical studies.
It is offered by the European University Institute (EUI) and is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of less than 5% of all applicants worldwide. Each year, 55 to 65 fellowships are 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 in Badia Fiesolana, Italy, within the European 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 a part-time Assistant Professor contract (ASSPR6/3) for 12 months, which includes an additional net salary of around €850 per month alongside the fellowship grant.
The program follows a Parental Leave Policy.

Additional Funding Opportunities

In addition to the fellowships funded directly by the Max Weber Programme, there are extra grants sponsored by governments and foundations from Finland, Germany, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, and Japan.
Citizens (and in some cases residents) of these countries may apply for these opportunities.

Eligible applicants of any nationality may also apply for an additional one-year fellowship at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva (IHEID) — only one fellow is 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 is not limited to EU citizens.
Applicants must have obtained their PhD within the past five years from the date of application.
Preference is given to researchers who have recently completed their doctorate, have not previously held a postdoctoral fellowship, or are currently seeking an academic position.
The language of the programme is English, and applicants must meet the required English proficiency standards.
The European University Institute (EUI) is committed to promoting diversity in academic and cultural backgrounds among its participants. Therefore, it encourages applicants from underrepresented groups in higher education or from disadvantaged social backgrounds to apply. Applicants may include any relevant details in the “Further information → Additional notes” section of the application form.
Extensions to the five-year rule are allowed in cases of maternity or paternity leave, illness, or compulsory military service.
Researchers currently affiliated with the EUI—whether as doctoral candidates, staff members, or current fellows—are not eligible to apply.
Former EUI affiliates may apply only if they have worked or held a fellowship outside the Institute for at least one year before the application deadline.

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Academic Benefits

Fellows have access to excellent research facilities, including:

A world-class research library.
Shared office spaces.
Dedicated financial support for research and conference missions.

The program also provides comprehensive academic training in:

Publishing and academic presentation.
Teaching and academic mentoring.
Applying for research grants and academic positions.
Enhancing effective communication skills in English for diverse academic audiences.

English Language Requirements

The minimum required level is C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

An English certificate is not required at the application stage, but accepted candidates must later provide proof of English proficiency, such as:

IELTS: Score of 7.5 or higher
TOEFL iBT: Score of 110 or higher
Cambridge Proficiency: Grades A/B/C
Cambridge Advanced: Grades A/B
Or proof of having written the PhD thesis or published an academic article of at least 6,000 words in English.

*Native English speakers are 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 to gender 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).

For internal candidates (within the EUI), the following are also required:

Support letter from the academic supervisor.
Endorsement letter from the Head of Department.

Applicants must use standard international fonts and avoid passwords, logos, macros, or electronic signatures in submitted files.

Notes on Letters of Recommendation

Must be submitted as PDF files by the referees directly through the online system before 15 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, but English is preferred to ensure broader accessibility.
For any technical issues, referees may contact:
📩 [email protected]

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How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the official application form, which includes two main stages:

Early Registration:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to register their personal information and referee details as early as possible to allow sufficient time for referees to submit their recommendation letters before the deadline.
Final Submission:
The final deadline for submission is 15 October 2025 at 14:00 CEST.
Applicants can continue editing their application and attachments until this time, but should only click “Submit” after carefully reviewing all details and final documents.