Max Weber Fellowships 2025/2026 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Max Weber Programme (MWP) at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship for early-career researchers in humanities, history, and social sciences, including Economics, Law, Political and Social Sciences, and Transnational Governance. With a deadline of October 15, 2025, at 14:00 CEST, this highly competitive program is open to recent PhD graduates (within 5 years) from any country, regardless of nationality, with a focus on those who have not held prior postdoctoral positions.

The fellowship is fully funded, offering a monthly grant of €2,500, research funds, health insurance, and travel reimbursement, with additional family allowances where applicable. There is no application fee, and candidates from underrepresented groups and Widening countries are especially encouraged to apply. You can find more opportunities like this by visiting here.

Key Details

• Programme Start: September 1, 2026
• Location: Badia Fiesolana, Florence, Italy
• Application Deadline: October 15, 2025, 14:00 CEST
• Fields: Economics, History, Law, Political and Social Sciences, Transnational Governance
• Funding: Fully funded (€2,500/month, plus €1,000/year research fund, health insurance, up to €1,200 travel reimbursement, and family allowances)
• Duration: 1 or 2 years (varies by department)
• Application Fee: None
• Special Grants: Available for nationals/residents of Finland, Germany, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Japan; additional year at IHEID (Geneva) for one fellow
• Language: English (C1 proficiency required)

Benefits

• Monthly Grant: €2,500, plus family allowances (if applicable).
• Additional Income: Qualifying second-year fellows in Economics or Political and Social Sciences may apply for a part-time assistant professor contract, adding approximately €850 net per month.
• Research Support: €1,000 annual research fund, with an additional €1,000 for job market-related expenses (e.g., conferences or interviews).
• Health Insurance: Provided by the EUI (Cigna basic plan) unless fellows opt for their own coverage.
• Travel Reimbursement: Up to €1,200 for incoming and outgoing travel (first-class rail or economy airfare).
• Parental Leave: Up to 4 months of paid leave, with fellowship extension for fellows who have a child during the program.
• Career Development: Training in publishing, teaching, grant applications, and effective communication in English.

Also check: Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Special Funding Opportunities

Additional grants are available for nationals or residents of Finland, Germany, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, and Japan, as well as a unique fellowship for a second year at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) in Geneva. Eligible applicants are automatically considered for these opportunities.

Best opportunity: St John’s College Research Fellowship in UK

Who Can Apply?

• Eligibility: Open to candidates worldwide who have completed their PhD between September 1, 2021, and September 1, 2026, with a defense no later than December 31, 2026.
• English Proficiency: Level C1 (CEFR) required. Accepted proofs include IELTS (7.5+), TOEFL (110+), Cambridge Proficiency (A/B/C), or evidence of academic work in English (e.g., PhD thesis or publications).
• Diversity Focus: The EUI encourages applications from underrepresented groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and candidates from Widening countries (e.g., Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and others).
• Extensions: The 5-year PhD rule may be extended for maternity/paternity leave, illness, or mandatory military service (supporting documents required).

See also: KAUST Global Fellowship Program for Postdoctoral Researchers

Fellowship Duration

• Department of Law (LAW): 1-year fellowships only.
• Economics (ECO) and Political and Social Sciences (SPS): 1- or 2-year fellowships, with a potential part-time assistant professor contract in the second year.
• History (HEC): 1- or 2-year fellowships, with one 2-year fellow potentially affiliated with the Alcide De Gasperi Research Centre.
• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS): 1- or 2-year fellowships.
• Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG): 2-year fellowships only, with teaching responsibilities in the second year.

Check also: Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025

Applicants to ECO, HEC, SPS, and RSCAS must specify their preferred duration (1 or 2 years). The EUI reserves the right to determine the final duration.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the EUI Online Application Form by October 15, 2025, 14:00 CEST. The process involves two steps:

1. Register Early: Enter personal details and referee information to allow referees sufficient time to submit letters.
2. Submit Application: Complete all sections and upload documents by the deadline.

Check also: AUS Postdoctoral Fellowship Award 2026

Required Documents

• CV: Maximum 2 pages, including publications (PDF).
• Academic Career Statement: 1 page, explaining how the MWP will benefit your research, teaching, and career goals (PDF).
• Research Proposal: 2 pages, outlining clear, achievable goals. For 2-year fellowships, specify goals for both years. Include a reflection on how gender and diversity relate to your research (PDF).
• Passport Copy: JPEG format.
• References: 2–3 academic reference letters, submitted directly by referees by the deadline. References from current EUI professors are not accepted.
• English Proficiency: Proof required upon registration (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or evidence of academic work in English).
• Externally Funded Candidates: Proof of funding (minimum €1,250/month for living and research costs) and supporting letters from an EUI mentor and department head (for internal candidates only).