The Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies

The Programme is highly selective, with an annual acceptance rate of <5% for a total of 55-60 Fellowships in the fields of political and social sciences, economics, law, and history. Preference is given to applicants who have only just completed their doctorate and have not had a postdoctoral fellowship before. Selected Fellows will benefit from the stimulating combination of a global programme located in the heart of Europe offering a broad menu of multidisciplinary and disciplinary activities.

Funding Information

• The basic grant is currently 2,500 EUR per month.
• Fellows in the Departments of Economics (ECO) and Political and Social Sciences (SPS) who stay on for a second year may have the possibility of applying for a Part-time assistant professor contract (level ASSPR6/3) for 12 months involving some teaching duties and mentoring Ph.D. researchers, subject to the teaching needs of the department. This appointment and the work involved need to be agreed with the Department and the Director of the Max Weber Programme and approved by the EUI Executive Committee. The gross remuneration is currently approximately 1,000 EUR per month, which would be approximately 850 EUR after deductions. This would be in addition to the basic grant of 2,500 EUR per month.
• Successful applicants who receive other grants or salaries must disclose this to the EUI. The amount of the Fellowship will be fixed at a lower rate (minimum 1,750 EUR per month) depending on the amount of the additional income (upon production of relevant supporting documents).
• Family Allowance:
  • A household allowance of up to 310 EUR per month is paid to Fellows with a partner if the partner lives with them in Florence and on the condition that the partner’s income is less than 2,000 EUR per month. The sum of income and allowance can not exceed 2,000 EUR per month (i.e. if the income is more than 1,690 EUR, the allowance will be paid only to top up to 2,000 EUR).
  • There is a dependants allowance of 210 EUR per month for each dependent child if they live with the Fellow in Florence.
  • Fellows are entitled to these allowances if they are not receiving any similar allowance from another source, and on presentation of relevant documents (marriage certificate or a document that proves that you are living together in Florence, birth certificates).
• Research Expenses:
  • All Fellows receive 1,000 EUR a year for eligible research expenses, such as attendance at conferences. Fellows on the job market can additionally apply for up to 1,000 EUR to cover expenses related to relevant conference participation or job interviews, if not covered by other sources.
• Travel Expenses:
  • Fellows (but not their families) receive reimbursement for the incoming trip from their place of origin to Florence, and for the outgoing trip to their destination at the end of their fellowship.
  • First-class rail (travel by car is also reimbursed on this basis)
  • Economy class air fare
  • The maximum amount for travel reimbursement is 1,200 EUR including both incoming and outgoing trip. Reimbursement of higher amounts and any extra costs can be authorized by the Programme Director upon a justified special request. Taxi expenses are not reimbursed.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates of any nationality are eligible for the Max Weber Fellowships.
• Candidates must have received their Ph.D. within the past 5 years or have official approval to defend their thesis by the time of the start of the programme (1 September).
• Extensions to the five-year rule are allowed for applicants whose academic career has been interrupted for maternity or paternity leave, illness or mandatory military service.
• Early-stage researchers who are at the EUI at the time of the application deadline are not eligible for the Max Weber Fellowship. This refers to those enrolled in the EUI Doctoral Programme, or employed by or on a fellowship hosted by the EUI. Those who have formerly been at the EUI can apply for a Fellowship after having been continuously away from the EUI in a full-time occupation or fellowship for at least one year by the application deadline.
• The expected level of English proficiency is level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). An English certificate is not requested as part of the application, but successful candidates will be requested to provide a certificate/supporting document on registration or a document showing that the candidate has written the doctorate, or published an article or a book chapter of at least 6,000 words, in English, or has pursued post-graduate studies in an English language degree programme. Native English speakers are exempt from proof.

For more information, visit EUI.