Jean Monnet Fellowships 2026 for Social Sciences and Humanities for post-doctoral researchers
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 19
If you are a mid-career researcher, tenure-track academic or scholar planning a sabbatical and you obtained your PhD more than five years ago, applications are now open for the one-year Jean Monnet Fellowships at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (European University Institute, Florence). The programme offers a residential research year in a lively interdisciplinary community, close association with Centre projects and participation in the EUI post-doctoral environment. Here's everything you need to know.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Villa Schifanoia, Florence, Italy.
Host institution: Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies — European University Institute (EUI).
Level: Post-doctoral fellowship (one academic year, residential).
Target group: Scholars who obtained their doctorate more than five years prior to the fellowship start date (for 2026–27: PhD awarded before 1 Sep 2021); candidates of all nationalities.
Fields of Focus: Research proposals should align with the Centre’s research themes and projects (e.g., integration, governance & democracy; markets & money; 21st century world politics & Europe — check current RSCAS programmes).
Value & coverage: Basic grant €2,500 / month (plus possible family/dependent allowances and travel reimbursement; grant may be adjusted if the fellow receives other salaries/grants). See Conditions of Award.
Additional benefits: Household allowance (if partner accompanies fellow and meets income conditions) and dependent child allowances; incoming travel reimbursement for the fellow (not for family). Exact amounts and rules in the Practical Information / Conditions pages.
Duration: One academic year (12 months: normally September → August). Note: if fellowship <12 months, no grant paid for August.
Application deadline: 22 October 2025 — 14:00 CEST. (Online application form available from late July 2025.)
Start date: 1 September 2026 (for the 2026–27 academic year).
📚 Fellowship overview
Residential research year: Fellows are based at Villa Schifanoia (RSCAS), participate in the Centre’s academic life and are associated with a specific RSCAS project or programme.
Project affiliation & collaboration: You will be attached to one of the Centre’s projects/programmes and expected to contribute to their activities, seminars and workshops. Fellows are encouraged to collaborate with EUI academic staff, other postdocs and researchers.
Outputs & activities: Research carried out during the fellowship is expected to lead to publication(s) — e.g., an EUI Working Paper, journal article or book chapter — and to active participation in seminars, events and the EUI postdoctoral programme.
Schedule & structure: The programme is flexible and research-led rather than coursework-based. Typical elements include individual research time, participation in RSCAS seminars, occasional teaching/lectures (if agreed) and involvement in Centre events. Fellows may join EUI post-doc training activities.
🎁 What’s covered
Monthly grant: Basic grant of €2,500/month. If you receive other income the EUI may adjust the grant (minimum possible reduced rate is indicated in the Conditions of Award).
Family / dependants allowances: Household allowance for an accompanying partner (subject to partner income limits) and dependent child allowances — check exact ceilings and eligibility in the Practical Information document.
Travel reimbursement: Fellows (but not family members) are usually reimbursed for the incoming travel to Florence.
Administration & facilities: Access to EUI library and research support services, office/research space at the Centre, and participation in academic life and training activities.
Taxation: The Institute does not tax the fellowship at source, but fellows are responsible for any tax provisions applicable to them.
✅ Eligibility criteria
PhD awarded more than five years before the fellowship start date (for 2026–27: PhD obtained before 1 Sep 2021).
Open to scholars of all nationalities.
Candidates should propose a research project that fits with the Centre’s themes/projects. Selection is based primarily on the research proposal and CV/publication record.
Applicants who received their doctorate less than five years ago are advised to consider the Max Weber Programme instead.
📝 Application procedure
Online application only — submit final application by 22 Oct 2025, 14:00 CEST. References must be submitted by referees before the deadline. Apply Here
Two phases: (a) Register your application (personal + referees' contact details) as soon as possible to trigger referee requests; (b) Complete and submit the application and attachments before the deadline. Referees can still submit letters after you submit, but not after the deadline.
Documents to prepare / upload:
CV with list of publications (PDF).
Letter of motivation (1–2 pages, PDF).
Research proposal (2–4 pages, PDF) that clearly connects to a Centre project/programme.
Copy of passport (JPG).
Two academic referees (their letters must be submitted online by referees).
Formatting & AI guidance: Use standard international fonts; do not use macros, special characters or password-protected files. The Letter of Motivation and Research Proposal must comply with EUI Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence: substantial parts should not be autonomously written by generative AI; any AI assistance must be acknowledged and referenced.
💡 Practical tips
Register your referees early — the online system sends them the link only after you register their details; references received after the deadline will not be accepted.
Check Centre research themes on the RSCAS Research pages and indicate clearly in your proposal which project/programme you wish to be affiliated with. Tailor the proposal to fit those research priorities.
Polish Ministry fellowship: the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education traditionally awards one Jean Monnet Fellowship place for eligible Polish candidates; Polish applicants submitted through the regular EUI process may be automatically considered for that funded place. Check national nomination rules if relevant.
Practical PDF: download the EUI “Practical information for Jean Monnet Fellows” for details on bank payments, allowances, insurance, accommodation tips and tax matters — it contains precise numbers and administrative procedures.
