Max Weber Fellowships 2026 in Italy | Fully Funded

The Max Weber Fellowship is a fully funded postdoctoral programme at the European University Institute in Italy. It supports early-career researchers in the historical, humanities, and social sciences. Fellows receive a monthly grant, health insurance, and research funds. The programme is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate below 2%, and helps scholars develop academic careers through training, teaching opportunities, and a global network.

The fellowships are open to applicants of any nationality who have completed their PhD within the last five years. Preference is given to those who have just finished their doctorate and have not previously held a postdoctoral fellowship. Candidates from Widening countries are especially encouraged to apply. The programme is interdisciplinary across Economics, History, Law, Political and Social Sciences, and the Robert Schuman Centre.

The application deadline for the Max Weber Fellowships 2026 is 16 October 2026 at 14:00 CEST. Late submissions will not be accepted. Make sure to complete and submit your application through the EUI online portal well before the deadline. All required documents must be uploaded and finalised by this time.

Benefits include a monthly grant of 2,500 EUR, family allowances where applicable, comprehensive health insurance, and a personal mission and research fund of 1,500 EUR. In the second year, fellows may apply for a part-time teaching contract with extra remuneration. Other perks include access to the EUI library, shared workspace, academic training, and a strong placement record.

Yes, the Max Weber Fellowship is fully funded. It covers living expenses through a 2,500 EUR monthly grant, health insurance, family allowances if needed, and a research fund. The fellowship also offers the possibility of additional income during the second year through a teaching assistant contract. No tuition fees are charged, making it a comprehensive financial package.

The Max Weber Fellowship is awarded for one or two years, depending on the host academic unit. In exceptional cases, support may be extended for a third year, such as for Fellows in the Department of Economics or those participating in the CIVICA exchange programme. Most fellows complete their tenure within one to two years before moving on to permanent academic roles.

Preference is given to applicants who have only just completed their PhD and have not yet held a postdoctoral fellowship. However, those within five years of their PhD completion are eligible regardless of previous postdoc experience. The selection committee evaluates the overall profile of each candidate, so candidates with prior fellowships may still be considered.

Selection is based on the candidate’s research excellence, the quality and originality of their proposed project, and its fit with the EUI’s academic units. The programme looks for strong publication potential, teaching experience or promise, and the applicant’s ability to contribute to a multidisciplinary academic community. The overall acceptance rate is below 2%, making it very competitive.

Applications are submitted online through the EUI application portal. You will need to provide your CV, research proposal, list of publications, and reference letters. Detailed instructions are available under the ‘Information for applicants’ tab on the programme page. Ensure all documents are uploaded before the deadline of 16 October 2026, 14:00 CEST.

Yes, additional grants funded by governments or foundations may be available for nationals of Finland, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Japan. In some years, other countries also offer support. The Max Weber Programme automatically considers eligible applicants for these special grants. The benefits from these grants are comparable to the standard fellowship package.