Max Weber Postdoctoral Programme 2026 at the European University Institute (Deadline: 15 October, 2025)

The Max Weber Programme (MWP) at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence is one of the most competitive postdoctoral opportunities in the humanities and social sciences. Open to scholars from anywhere in the world, the programme provides early-career researchers with funding, training, and mentorship to launch their academic careers.

Overview

• Open to applicants within five years of completing their PhD (or with official approval to defend before the fellowship start date).

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

• Annual cohort: 55–65 fellows selected worldwide, with an acceptance rate of less than 5%.

• Preference is given to candidates who have just completed their PhD and have not yet held a postdoctoral fellowship.

• Language of the programme: English.

Fellowship Duration

The length of the fellowship depends on the academic unit:

• Law (LAW): 12 months only.

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

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

• RSCAS: 12 or 24 months.

• STG: 24 months only, with participation in teaching and school activities.

All fellowships run from September to August, with extensions to a third year possible only in exceptional cases.

Grant and Benefits

• Basic grant: €2,500 per month.

• Possible part-time teaching contract in year two: ~€850 net per month (in addition to the grant).

• Family allowances:

  • Up to €310/month for partners with low income.

  • €210/month for dependent children.

• Research funding: €1,000 per year, plus up to €1,000 extra for job-market activities.

• Health insurance coverage through the EUI’s plan (Cigna).

• Travel reimbursement: up to €1,200 for round-trip travel at the start and end of the fellowship.

• Parental leave policy: up to four months of paid leave, with fellowship extension.

Additional Grants

Beyond the main MWP, special funding is sometimes available through governments and foundations in:

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

• These provide comparable benefits to the main fellowship.

• Opportunities vary annually.

• Eligible applicants are automatically considered.

Applicants from Widening countries (e.g., Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, and others) are especially encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

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

• Defence must take place no later than 31 December 2026.

• Exceptions to the five-year rule for maternity/paternity leave, illness, or mandatory service.

• Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency (level C1). Accepted certificates include:

  • IELTS: 7.5+

  • TOEFL iBT: 110+

  • Cambridge Proficiency (A–C)

  • Cambridge Advanced (A–B)

• Not eligible: current EUI doctoral students, employees, or fellows. Former affiliates must have been away for at least one year in full-time occupation.

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the online portal in two steps:

1. Register early – add personal and referee details so references can be submitted in time.

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

Required Documents

• CV with publications (PDF).

• Academic career statement (1 page).

• Research proposal (2 pages). For two-year applicants, outline goals for both years. Must also include a gender and diversity reflection.

• Copy of passport (JPEG).

• Two to three letters of reference submitted directly by referees before the deadline.

All documents must follow EUI guidelines, including restrictions on the use of generative AI in drafting materials.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by the Director, faculty, and the Fellowship Steering Committee. Criteria include:

• Academic accomplishments and potential (PhD quality, publications, commitment to academic career).

• Strength and feasibility of the research proposal.

• Mentorship fit with EUI faculty.

• Consideration of diversity in gender, background, and country of origin.

About 4–5% of applicants are awarded fellowships, with 5–10% placed on reserve lists. The process concludes by end of January (March for Economics).

Visit HERE for more details.

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