European University Institute - Max Weber Fellowships 2026

The Max Weber Programme is the largest international postdoctoral programme in the Social Sciences and Humanities in Europe. It offers around 60 fully funded Fellowships to suitably qualified researchers from anywhere in the world who work in or across the relevant disciplines of the EUI (Economics, History, Law and Social and Political Sciences and their subfields). The working language of the Programme is English.

Eligibility

• Candidates of any nationality are eligible for the Max Weber Fellowships.

• Candidates must have received their Ph.D. within the past 5 years or have official approval to defend their thesis by the time of the start of the programme (1 September). This means to apply for 2026-27 candidates should have received or submitted their Ph.D. between 01/09/2021 and 01/09/2026 and the Ph.D. defence should take place no later than 31/12/2026.

• Extensions to the five-year rule are allowed for applicants whose academic career has been interrupted for maternity or paternity leave, illness or mandatory military service. Cite circumstances in the application form in the field 'Additional Notes'. Successful candidates will be asked to provide supporting documents.

• Early-stage researchers who are at the EUI at the time of the application deadline are not eligible for the Max Weber Fellowship. This refers to those enrolled in the EUI Doctoral Programme, or employed by or on a fellowship hosted by the EUI. Those who have formerly been at the EUI can apply for a Fellowship after having been continuously away from the EUI in a full-time occupation or fellowship for at least one year by the application deadline.

• The expected level of English proficiency is level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). An English certificate is not requested as part of the application, but successful candidates will be requested to provide a certificate/supporting document on registration. This can be one of the international certificates listed below, or a document showing that the candidate has written the doctorate, or published an article or a book chapter of at least 6,000 words, in English, or has pursued post-graduate studies in an English language degree programme. Native English speakers are exempt from proof.

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, 24 or 36 months). The EUI reserves the right to determine the length of the award, be it 12,  24 or 36 months. The period offered will be indicated in the award letter.

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 can not 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 a 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 cover 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 1000 EUR a year for eligible research expenses, such as attendance at conferences. An additional 500 EUR can be awarded at the discretion of the Director for Fellows on the job market. Economics fellows on the job market in the second or third year receive 2000 EUR.

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.