Call for Applications: Max Weber Fellowships at the European University Institute (EUI) 2025/26 (open to all nationalities + grants up to 2,500 EUR per month )
Programme Description
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.
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.
We 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
1This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244(1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Who Can Apply?
The Programme is open to applicants who are within 5 years of the completion of their PhD from anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality and is not restricted to citizens of the EU. All things being equal, preference is given to those who have recently completed a doctorate, not had a postdoctoral position before and/or are on the job market. The language of the programme is English, and applicants must fulfil the English language requirements as outlined in the section on Eligibility.
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 2025-26 candidates should have received or submitted their Ph.D. between 01/09/2020 and 01/09/2025 and the Ph.D. defence should take place no later than 31/12/2025.
- 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.The following international certificates of English proficiency are recognised by the EUI.
| Type of certificate | Expected test score, considered equivalent to level C1 of the CEFR |
|---|---|
| IELTS | From 7.5 |
| TOEFL (IBT) | From 110 |
| Cambridge Proficiency | A/B/C |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | A/B |
How to Apply
Applications have to be submitted through the Online Application Form.
There are two distinct phases in the application process:
1. Register your application as early as possible.
You are encouraged to register your application, by inserting your personal details and referee details as soon as possible. This is important to allow sufficient time for your referees to submit the reference letters before the deadline. References will not be accepted after the deadline.
2. Submit your application by the deadline 18 October 2024 at 14:00 CEST. (applications may be submitted until 14:00 CEST on 18 October 2024).
Once you have registered your application you may continue to work on the application details and attachments until the deadline of 18 October 2024 (14:00 CEST). Submit the application only when you have filled in all the information correctly and have successfully uploaded the final version of the attachments.
For more details and application, Visit Official Website Here
