Fellowships

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: 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: 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: 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