What is the difference between Max Weber and Jean Monnet Fellowships? Can I apply for both?
Max Weber Fellowships are designed for junior post-docs who have received their doctorates less than 5 years prior to the start of the Fellowship and want to pursue an academic career, concentrate on their research and improve their academic practice in a multidisciplinary environment. The programme combines research and training activities which will enhance the early development of a fruitful academic career. Max Weber fellows will be affiliated with one of the EUI's four Departments, the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies or the Florence School of Transnational Governance.
Jean Monnet Fellowships are open to scholars who have obtained their doctorate more than 5 years prior to the start of the fellowship. They are based in the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies and are expected to participate actively in the research activities of the Centre.
It is not possible to apply for both. For Max Weber Fellowships, candidates are eligible during the five-year period following the successful completion of their PhD. For Jean Monnet Fellowships, candidates must have obtained their PhD more than five years ago.
How many Max Weber fellowships are available?
There are usually 55-65 Max Weber Fellowships.
Can I apply even if I receive my Ph.D. after the start of the programme?
Yes, but you must have obtained your Ph.D. or have successfully submitted it for defence by the start of the fellowship which is 1st September. Specific eligibility requirements are explained under Eligibility.
What if my Ph.D. defence takes place only after the start of the fellowship?
We can accept candidates who will have submitted the doctoral thesis and concluded all requirements for the Ph.D. by the start of the fellowship (1st September) even if the formal defence takes place slightly later. The defence should take place at the latest by the end of the same calendar year. If you are selected, we request a certificate from the home university/supervisor to this effect.
Can I contact potential mentors in EUI departments/RSCAS/STG?
In order to keep the application process open and fair, the policy of the EUI is not to offer individual guidance and advice on project proposals. Prospective applicants should not contact EUI faculty members regarding potential mentorship. When searching for potential mentors, applicants are requested to consult the web pages of the academic units where research themes and faculty profiles are listed, and to indicate who they regard as potential mentors in the appropriate space in the application form.
Who can be indicated as a potential mentor?
Main mentors must be full-time EUI professors – they cannot be visiting, part-time or emeritus Professors, Fernand Braudel Fellows, etc. However, candidates may indicate part-time professors/other scholars as sharing their research interests, so long as these individuals will be based at the EUI during the tenure of their Fellowship.
In which language should I write my research proposal/statement?
Submitting documents in English guarantees the widest possible reading. The official working language of the postdoctoral programme is English.
Can I add bibliography/references to the Research proposal, and if so, can they exceed the 2-page limit?
You may add bibliography/references and they may slightly exceed the 2-page limit, but the research proposal itself should not be longer than two pages.
Are there any formatting requirements for the research proposal?
There are no particular requirements regarding font size or line-spacing as long as the document is well legible (even if printed out). Please use standard international fonts and do not use macros or password protection. Please do not send secured PDFs.
Do I need a good knowledge of the English language?
The expected level of English proficiency is level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Please see Eligibility for further details.
How is the selection procedure organised?
Applications are considered on the basis of application documents and references. Academic units may decide to organise interviews. Candidates (except for those in the Department of Economics) will be informed of the results by email around the end of January. The recruitment process in the Department of Economics extends until the end of March. For further information please see: Selection Criteria & Procedure.
What are the selection criteria?
Max Weber Fellows are selected on the basis of their research proposal, accomplishments and potential, their academic career interests, and the availability of EUI faculty to provide mentorship. For further information please see: Selection Criteria & Procedure.
Is 15 October the last date for receipt of applications?
Yes, applications for all fields other than Economics must be submitted online by 15 October 2025 (14:00 CEST). After this date the online application form will be active (with the delay of one week) only for applicants for the Department of Economics and until 1 December 2025 – 14.00 CET.
What happens if the reference letters arrive after the deadline?
References must arrive online by the deadline for applications on 15 October (14.00 CEST). Your application can be considered without references, but remember that references play an important part in the selection process which begins immediately after the deadline. It is therefore in the interest of the candidate to have the dossier complete with two references by the deadline.
Is it possible to have more than two letters of recommendation?
Minimum two and maximum three references are required and accepted by the online application system.
Can referees write reference letters in their own language?
Yes, but references in English or French guarantee the widest possible reading.
When will the results be announced?
The Academic Service informs all candidates (with the exception of those for the Department of Economics) by e-mail at the latest by the end of January. The recruitment process in the Department of Economics extends until the end of March.
Can the letters of recommendation be sent from a dossier service, such as Interfolio, or do they need to be directly received from the recommenders themselves?
We accept letters that are sent directly from a dossier service, such as Interfolio, as long as the original letters are sent to the EUI by the dossier service either online or by email (to [email protected]) by the deadline for applications and are not disclosed to the applicant.