Application Deadline: 18 October 2024
Max Weber Fellowship 2025-2026 is now open (Fully funded to Italy)
Programme Description
Max Weber Fellowship 2025-2026 is now open.The Max Weber Programme (MWP) at the European University Institute (EUI) is a unique postdoctoral programme in the historical and social sciences in Europe. It is open to applicants who are within 5 years from the completion of their PhD, from anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality. The Programme is highly selective, with an annual acceptance rate of <5% for a total of 55-60 Fellowships in the fields of political and social sciences, economics, law, and history. Preference is given to applicants who have only just completed their doctorate and have not had a postdoctoral fellowship before. Selected Fellows will benefit from the stimulating combination of a global programme located in the heart of Europe offering a broad menu of multidisciplinary and disciplinary activities.
Information to Applicants
The Programme awards 1- and 2-year fellowships according to departments. In extraordinary cases only, a fellowship can be extended to a third year.
The grant provided by the Fellowship is currently 2,500 EUR per month plus – when appropriate – a family allowance. Fellows in the Department of Economics and Political and Social Sciences who stay on for a second year will have the possibility of applying for a Part-time assistant professor contract (level ASSPR6/3) for 12 months involving some teaching duties and mentoring Ph.D. researchers: net remuneration would be approximately 850 EUR in addition to the monthly grant. The MWP operates a parental leave policy.
In addition to the scholarships funded by the Max Weber Programme itself, there are additional grants available that are funded by governments/foundations in Finland, Germany, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, and Japan to which nationals of these countries (and in some cases residents in these countries) may also apply. Suitable applicants of any nationality may also apply for a second year at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva (IHEID).
NB the availability of special grants varies from year to year – in some years more countries and agencies may offer grants and in others fewer. Up-to-date details can be found under the Information for Applicants tab. We automatically consider eligible applicants for these opportunities.
They additionally encourage candidates from the Widening countries* to apply.
The Max Weber Fellows enjoy the superb research facilities of the European University Institute (including an outstanding library, a shared office space, and a personal research fund of 1000 EUR – 2000 EUR for second- or third-year Economics Fellows who are on the job market). The MWP is unique among postdoctoral programmes in helping Fellows to become full members of a global academic community.
Fellows are given training and support in all aspects of an academic career – from publishing and presenting, teaching, applying for research grants and jobs. A particular focus is placed on communicating effectively in English to different kinds of academic audiences.
Its placement record is second to none: most Max Weber Fellows secure an academic position in the finest institutions around the world upon completion of the Programme.
- Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo1, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine
Conditions of award
Duration
Fellowships are awarded for:
- 12 months for all applicants to the Department of Law (LAW).
- 12 or 24 months for applicants to the Department of Economics (ECO), Department of History (HEC), Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS), and the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS).
- 24 months for applicants to the Florence School of Transnational Governance.
Candidates in relevant disciplines must indicate the preferred period in their application (12 or 24 months). The EUI reserves the right to determine the length of the award, be it 12 or 24 months. The period offered will be indicated in the award letter. Only in extraordinary cases can a fellowship be extended to 36 months.
All Fellowships run from September to August.
In the case a fellow arrives after the beginning of September or leaves before the fellowship ends (i.e. before 20 July), the grant will be accordingly reduced/terminated, and no grant will be paid for the month of August.
Residence
Fellows are required to live in the area of Florence for the duration of their Fellowship so that they may play an active part in the programme and in the academic activities of their department.
Grant
The basic grant is currently 2,500 EUR per month.
Fellows in the Departments of Economics (ECO) and Political and Social Sciences (SPS) who stay on for a second year may have the possibility of applying for a Part-time assistant professor contract (level ASSPR6/3) for 12 months involving some teaching duties and mentoring Ph.D. researchers, subject to the teaching needs of the department. This appointment and the work involved need to be agreed with the Department and the Director of the Max Weber Programme and approved by the EUI Executive Committee. The gross remuneration is currently approximately 1,000 EUR per month, which would be approximately 850 EUR after deductions. This would be in addition to the basic grant of 2,500 EUR per month.
Successful applicants who receive other grants or salaries must disclose this to the EUI. The amount of the Fellowship will be fixed at a lower rate (minimum 1,750 EUR per month) depending on the amount of the additional income (upon production of relevant supporting documents).
If applicable, family allowances will be added to the basic grant (see below).
Family Allowance
A household allowance of up to 310 EUR per month is paid to Fellows with a partner if the partner lives with them in Florence and on the condition that the partner’s income is less than 2,000 EUR per month. The sum of income and allowance cannot exceed 2,000 EUR per month (i.e. if the income is more than 1,690 EUR, the allowance will be paid only to top up to 2,000 EUR).
There is dependants allowance of 210 EUR per month for each dependent child if they live with the Fellow in Florence.
Fellows are entitled to these allowances if they are not receiving any similar allowance from another source, and on presentation of relevant documents (marriage certificate or a document that proves that you are living together in Florence, birth certificates).
A school or university certificate is required for dependent children in full-time education and over the age of 18.
The MWP operates a parental leave policy whereby Fellows who have a child during their Fellowship are eligible for up to four months of paid parental leave, with their Fellowship being extended accordingly. Fellows who will have a child between notification of the award of the Fellowship and its commencement the following September may request to defer the Fellowship for a year.
Taxation
The Fellowship is not taxed by the Institute. Fellows are, however, required to comply with any other tax provisions which may be applicable to them.
Medical Insurance
Fellows must have adequate medical insurance coverage during their stay at the Institute.
Fellows can either provide proof of their own insurance scheme or subscribe to the EUI’s Cigna Insurance Scheme at their own expense.
Research Expenses
All Fellows receive 1,000 EUR a year for eligible research expenses, such as attendance at conferences. Fellows on the job market can additionally apply for up to 1,000 EUR to cover expenses related to relevant conference participation or job interviews, if not covered by other sources.
Travel Expenses
Fellows (but not their families) receive reimbursement for the incoming trip from their place of origin to Florence, and for the outgoing trip to their destination at the end of their fellowship.
- First-class rail (travel by car is also reimbursed on this basis)
- Economy class air fare
The maximum amount for travel reimbursement is 1,200 EUR including both incoming and outgoing trip. Reimbursement of higher amounts and any extra costs can be authorized by the Programme Director upon a justified special request. Taxi expenses are not reimbursed.
Removal/installation Expenses
There is no provision for removal or installation expenses.
Selection criteria
Candidates are reviewed by the Director and the faculty of the relevant academic unit (the departments, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies or Florence School of Transnational Governance) and selected by the Max Weber Programme Steering Committee based on the following criteria:
- Academic accomplishments and potential: the candidate’s contributions (publications, PhD thesis, etc.), commitment to an academic career (outlined in the ‘academic career statement’) and other supporting evidence (including two letters of reference). Preference is given to applicants entering straight after their doctorate or who are in the early stages of their post-doctoral career.
- Research proposal: Clear and well-structured proposal with achievable goals during the Fellowship.
- Mentorship: Capacity and availability of the EUI faculty for mentoring the candidate are considered. Common research interests can be helpful but are not a requirement.
Additional consideration is given to country of origin and of doctoral studies, gender and the candidate’s background. Members of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Note: To ensure fairness in the selection process, EUI faculty do not offer individual guidance on proposals. Applicants should consult the webpages of the EUIs academic units on the profiles of potential mentors.
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