The Historical Archives of the European Union is pleased to announce the launch of the call for applications for the 20th edition of the European Court of Auditors Research Grant Programme. Applications will be accepted from 22 June to 6 October 2026.
Supported by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), the funding action promotes original research based on the Court’s archival holdings preserved at the Historical Archives of the European Union. Up to two grants will be awarded to researchers whose projects require consultation of these sources, specifically targeting early career researchers working on European Union public finances and policies.
As the initiative approaches its twentieth year, it continues to support early career scholars and foster new research on the history and development of European financial governance. Supported projects have explored issues ranging from budgetary integration and fiscal oversight to public borrowing, industrial and defence financing, policy evaluation, and the contribution of auditing institutions to the European Union's response to contemporary economic, constitutional, and environmental challenges.
Over the past two decades, the grant scheme has helped advance scholarship across disciplines, encouraging researchers to engage with the historical foundations of European accountability, financial management, and public policy.
Postgraduate students and early career academics, specialising in EU public finances, auditing, and policy studies and interested in exploring the archival resources of the European Court of Auditors, are invited to apply. Full information on eligibility, grant conditions, and the application procedure is available on the grant web page.
Application period: 22 June – 6 October 2026.