Opportunity Detail
The Jean Monnet Fellowships 2027–28 at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, offer an opportunity for experienced scholars to spend one year conducting research at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies.
The fellowship is designed for researchers who obtained their doctorate more than five years before the start of the fellowship. For the 2027–28 academic year, applicants must have obtained their PhD before 1 September 2022. Candidates of all nationalities are eligible.
For the 2027–28 fellowship year, the programme starts on 1 September 2027, and the application deadline is 23 October 2026 at 14:00 CEST. Up to 20 Jean Monnet Fellowships are offered each year.
This guide explains the fellowship, eligibility requirements, financial support, application process, required documents, language requirements, selection criteria, and important deadlines.
What Are the Jean Monnet Fellowships?
The Jean Monnet Fellowship is a one-year residential research fellowship offered by the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute.
The programme is intended for established postdoctoral researchers and academics who want to spend a period of research at the EUI. The official call states that it is open to post-docs, tenure-track academics, and scholars wishing to spend their sabbatical at the Centre.
Jean Monnet Fellows become part of the academic community at the Robert Schuman Centre. They are associated with one of the Centre’s research projects or programmes and are expected to participate actively in its academic activities.
The fellowship therefore combines individual research with participation in an international academic environment in Florence.
Jean Monnet Fellowship 2027–28 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Jean Monnet Fellowships |
| Institution | European University Institute |
| Centre | Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies |
| Location | Florence, Italy |
| Fellowship type | Residential research fellowship |
| Duration | One year |
| Start date | 1 September 2027 |
| Eligible researchers | Scholars with a doctorate obtained more than 5 years before the start |
| Nationality | All nationalities |
| Number of fellowships | Up to 20 annually |
| Basic grant | €2,850 per month |
| Application deadline | 23 October 2026, 14:00 CEST |
| Application method | Online |
| Research output | Research should lead to a publication |
The information above is based on the EUI’s official 2027–28 Jean Monnet Fellowship call.
Who Is Eligible for the Jean Monnet Fellowship?
The main eligibility requirement is the date on which you obtained your doctorate.
For the 2027–28 fellowship, you must have obtained your PhD more than five years before 1 September 2027. This means the doctorate must have been awarded before 1 September 2022.
The fellowship is open to candidates of all nationalities.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Tenure-track academics
- Established scholars
- Academics seeking a sabbatical research period
The EUI evaluates applicants based on their academic profile, research proposal, references, and the fit between their proposed research and the Robert Schuman Centre’s research activities.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The Jean Monnet Fellowship is not intended for recent PhD graduates.
If your doctorate was obtained less than five years before the fellowship begins, the EUI recommends considering the Max Weber Fellowship instead. The Max Weber programme is designed for junior postdoctoral researchers within five years of completing their PhD.
The EUI also states that candidates cannot apply simultaneously for both the Jean Monnet and Max Weber Fellowships.
How Much Is the Jean Monnet Fellowship Grant?
The basic Jean Monnet Fellowship grant is €2,850 per month.
The fellowship normally lasts for 12 months, from September to August.
However, the EUI has specific rules concerning additional income. Fellows who receive another grant or salary must disclose it to the EUI. In such cases, the fellowship amount can be reduced depending on the additional income, with a stated minimum of €2,100 per month.
This means applicants should not simply assume that everyone will receive the full €2,850 monthly amount regardless of other income.
Family Allowances
Additional allowances may be available for eligible fellows with family members living with them in Florence.
The EUI currently lists:
- Up to €310 per month as a household allowance for an eligible partner
- €210 per month for each dependent child living with the fellow in Florence
Specific conditions apply, including requirements concerning the partner’s income and supporting documentation.
Applicants should consult the official conditions of award for the detailed rules before making financial plans.
Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?
The Jean Monnet Fellowship provides a substantial monthly grant and certain family allowances, but applicants should avoid interpreting “funded” as meaning that every possible personal expense is automatically covered.
The official EUI conditions specify the fellowship grant and applicable allowances. Fellows are also required to live in the Florence area for the duration of the fellowship so that they can participate actively in the Centre’s academic activities.
Therefore, applicants should consider living costs, travel, insurance, accommodation, and other personal expenses when planning their stay.
Where Will Jean Monnet Fellows Be Based?
Jean Monnet Fellows are based at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute.
The fellowship is residential, and fellows must live in the Florence area during the fellowship. This requirement allows them to participate actively in the Centre’s academic life.
The programme is therefore not designed as a remote fellowship.
What Research Can You Propose?
Your research proposal is one of the most important parts of the application.
The EUI states that the proposal should fit well with one of the Robert Schuman Centre’s main research themes, programmes, or projects. Fellows are associated with a relevant project or programme and are expected to contribute to its academic activities.
This means applicants should not submit a generic research proposal simply because they are interested in spending a year in Europe.
A stronger proposal should demonstrate a clear connection between:
Your research question → your existing academic work → the proposed fellowship research → a relevant RSCAS research programme or project.
Before applying, carefully examine the Centre’s current research programmes and identify where your research fits.
What Happens During the Fellowship?
Jean Monnet Fellows are expected to become active members of the Robert Schuman Centre’s academic community.
According to the EUI, fellows are expected to:
- Conduct their proposed research
- Participate actively in academic life
- Contribute to activities of their associated project or programme
- Collaborate with researchers and other postdoctoral fellows
- Engage with EUI academic staff
- Participate in relevant postdoctoral activities
The fellowship is therefore more than an individual research grant. It provides an opportunity to conduct research within an international academic environment.
Research Publication Requirement
The research conducted during the fellowship should lead to a publication.
The EUI states that the research should result in publication either as:
- An EUI Working Paper
- An article in a scientific journal
- A publication with a reputable academic publisher
This makes the fellowship particularly relevant to scholars who already have a clear publication-oriented research agenda.
What Documents Are Required?
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- CV with a list of publications in PDF format
- Letter of motivation, 1–2 pages, in PDF
- Research proposal, 2–4 pages, in PDF
- Copy of passport in JPG format
Applicants must also provide the names and contact details of two academic referees. At least two reference letters must be submitted directly online by the referees by the application deadline.
References from current full-time or part-time EUI professors are not accepted.
Jean Monnet Fellowship Research Proposal
The research proposal is central to the selection process.
The official application instructions request a proposal of 2–4 pages.
Because the EUI selects candidates partly according to the fit of their research with the Robert Schuman Centre, applicants should explain clearly:
- What they want to research
- Why the research matters
- What question the project addresses
- How the project builds on existing research
- What contribution the research intends to make
- Why the Robert Schuman Centre is an appropriate environment
- Which Centre research programme or project is relevant
- What they expect to produce during the fellowship
The proposal should be specific enough for reviewers to understand the research project without relying on information outside the application.
Letter of Motivation
The motivation letter should explain why the fellowship is relevant to your academic development and research plans.
Rather than repeating your CV, use the letter to connect your academic experience with the proposed fellowship.
A useful structure can include:
Academic background → current research → reason for applying → fit with RSCAS → expected outcomes.
The official EUI application instructions specify a 1–2 page letter of motivation.
Language Requirements
The official EUI FAQ states that fellows should have a good knowledge of English and, where relevant, knowledge of any other language needed for their proposed research.
The official working language of the postdoctoral programmes is English, and the EUI says that submitting documents in English guarantees the widest possible reading.
The application instructions do not list a specific IELTS or TOEFL score as a general requirement for the Jean Monnet Fellowship.
If your proposed research requires another language—for example, for archival work, interviews, or analysis of primary sources—you should also demonstrate the relevant language ability.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must provide two academic references.
The applicant enters the referees’ details in the online application. Referees are then contacted and submit their letters directly to the EUI.
The EUI strongly encourages applicants to register their referees early because references must arrive by the application deadline.
Only two references are requested and accepted.
Can the Reference Letters Be in Another Language?
Yes.
The EUI states that referees may write their references in a language other than English. However, references in English or French guarantee the widest possible reading.
Artificial Intelligence Rules for the Application
Applicants should pay close attention to the EUI’s current guidance on generative AI.
The application instructions state that the motivation letter and research proposal should comply with the EUI Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence for Research. In particular, candidates should not have generative AI autonomously write substantial or integral parts of these documents.
The EUI also states that when AI is used to produce novel content, applicants must acknowledge and reference the AI-generated parts.
Applicants should therefore check the latest EUI guidance carefully before preparing their documents.
Jean Monnet Fellowship 2027 Deadline
The application deadline for the 2027–28 Jean Monnet Fellowship is 23 October 2026 at 14:00 CEST.
The EUI encourages applicants to register their applications and referee details early.
This is particularly important because referees need time to submit their letters directly through the application system.
References submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Jean Monnet Fellowship 2027–28 Timeline
Late July 2026: Online application form becomes available.
23 October 2026, 14:00 CEST: Final application deadline.
After the deadline: Applications are assessed by the relevant academic staff.
By the end of January: Applicants are informed of the results by email.
1 September 2027: Fellowship begins.
The EUI states that there are no interviews; applications are assessed on the basis of the submitted documents and references.
How Are Jean Monnet Fellows Selected?
Candidates are selected by the academic staff of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, with the nomination requiring approval by the EUI Executive Committee. The EUI states that the decision is final and is not subject to appeal.
The main selection considerations include:
- The applicant’s CV
- The overall scientific quality of the research proposal
- The fit between the proposed research and the Robert Schuman Centre’s research programme
The EUI also considers the submitted references.
How to Apply for the Jean Monnet Fellowship
The application is submitted online through the EUI application system.
A practical application sequence is:
Step 1: Confirm that your PhD was awarded before 1 September 2022.
Step 2: Review the Robert Schuman Centre’s research programmes and projects.
Step 3: Identify the research programme or project that best fits your proposed research.
Step 4: Prepare your 2–4 page research proposal.
Step 5: Prepare your 1–2 page motivation letter.
Step 6: Update your academic CV and publication list.
Step 7: Select two academic referees.
Step 8: Register the application and enter your referees’ details as early as possible.
Step 9: Upload the required documents and passport copy.
Step 10: Ensure both reference letters have been submitted by the referees.
Step 11: Submit the completed application by 23 October 2026 at 14:00 CEST.
Official EUI Jean Monnet Fellowship application page
Jean Monnet vs Max Weber Fellowship
Applicants sometimes confuse these two EUI fellowships because both are postdoctoral opportunities.
The main distinction is the timing of the PhD.
The Jean Monnet Fellowship is for scholars whose doctorate was obtained more than five years before the fellowship begins.
The Max Weber Fellowship is designed for junior postdoctoral researchers who obtained their doctorate less than five years before the start of the fellowship.
Applicants should therefore check their PhD award date before deciding which fellowship is appropriate.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The Jean Monnet Fellowship may be particularly relevant to established researchers whose work fits the research agenda of the Robert Schuman Centre and who would benefit from a year of concentrated research in an international academic environment.
It can be relevant to scholars working in areas connected to European and transnational political, social, legal, economic, and policy questions, provided their specific research fits one of the Centre’s programmes or projects.
The decisive issue is not simply whether a researcher is interested in Europe. The proposed research needs to demonstrate a meaningful fit with the Robert Schuman Centre’s academic activities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying without checking the PhD date
The five-year doctorate requirement is fundamental.
Submitting a generic research proposal
Your proposal should be connected to the research themes, programmes, or projects of the Robert Schuman Centre.
Ignoring the publication requirement
The fellowship research is expected to lead to an academic publication.
Waiting to register your referees
Reference letters must arrive by the deadline, so contact your referees early.
Using AI to write the application
The EUI has specific rules concerning generative AI and the preparation of the motivation letter and research proposal.
Treating the fellowship as a remote opportunity
Jean Monnet Fellows must live in the Florence area and participate actively in the Centre’s academic activities.
Confusing Jean Monnet with Max Weber
The two programmes serve researchers at different stages of the postdoctoral career.
Final Checklist
Before submitting your application, make sure you have:
☐ Obtained your PhD before 1 September 2022
☐ Confirmed that your research fits the Robert Schuman Centre
☐ Identified a relevant research programme or project
☐ Prepared a 2–4 page research proposal
☐ Prepared a 1–2 page motivation letter
☐ Updated your CV and publication list
☐ Selected two academic referees
☐ Registered your application early
☐ Given your referees enough time to submit their letters
☐ Prepared your passport copy in the required format
☐ Reviewed the EUI’s AI-use requirements
☐ Checked the latest official application information
☐ Submitted everything by 23 October 2026 at 14:00 CEST
Final Thoughts
The Jean Monnet Fellowships 2027–28 provide an opportunity for established scholars to spend a year at the European University Institute’s Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies in Florence.
The programme is particularly research-focused: applicants are assessed on their academic record, the quality of their research proposal, and the fit between their project and the Centre’s research activities.
For the 2027–28 intake, the key deadline is 23 October 2026 at 14:00 CEST, while the fellowship begins on 1 September 2027. The basic fellowship grant is €2,850 per month, subject to the EUI’s conditions concerning other income and applicable allowances.
Applicants should use the official EUI information as the final authority and begin preparing well before the deadline, particularly because the research proposal and academic references are central parts of the application.
