Making a Difference in Global Academia
The Max Weber Programme started in September 2006 and is now the largest international postdoctoral programme in the Social Sciences and Humanities in Europe. The Programme is located at the European University Institute in Florence. It is funded by the European Commission (DG Education and Culture), which provides bursaries of one or two years for around 50-55 Fellowships. These bursaries are open to scholars from anywhere in the world (not just nationals of an EU Member State) who have received a doctorate in economics, law, history, social and political sciences, or a related field, within the past 5 years. The Programme also includes a number of Fellows supported by other funders, such as national and other non-EU research bodies. Fellows are selected on the basis of their research accomplishments and potential, their academic career interests, and the availability of the EUI faculty to provide mentorship.
All Fellows are affiliated with one of the four EUI departments or the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies and are welcome to participate in departmental activities. Two year Fellowships involve additional academic activities in the EUI departments, such as limited graduate teaching and mentoring Ph.D students.
The Programme also organizes each year a series of Lectures bringing to the EUI community prestigious scholars from around the world and across disciplines.
The working language of the Programme is English.
Why Apply to the Max Weber Programme
- The Max Weber Programme (MWP) at the European University Institute (EUI) is the largest and most innovative postdoctoral programme in the historical and social sciences in Europe.
- The MWP is open to eligible applicants who are within 5 years from the completion of their PhD, from anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality and including non-EU citizens.
- The MWP is a global programme at a global institution located in Italy. Like the Fellows, Professors and Researchers at the European University Institute come from across Europe - from Portugal to Russia, and beyond it - from Asia and the Antipodes to North and Latin America, contributing their different academic traditions to the distinctive mix of the Institute. The language of the programme is English.
- The Programme is among the most selective – attracting circa 1200 applicants each year - in the fields of political and social sciences, economics, law and history for some 55-60 Fellowships.
- The Programme awards 1, 2, and exceptionally 3 year long fellowships according to departments.
- The Fellowship provides a grant of 2000 euro per month plus - when appropriate - a family allowance.
- The Max Weber Fellows enjoy the superb research facilities of the European University Institute (including an outstanding library, a shared office space, and a personal research fund of 1000 euros).
- The MWP is unique among postdoctoral programmes in helping Fellows to become full members of a global academic community.
- Fellows are given training and support in all aspects of an academic career – from publishing and presenting, teaching, applying for research grants and jobs. A particular focus is placed on communicating effectively in English to different kinds of academic audiences.
- Its placement record is second to none: most Max Weber Fellows secure an academic position in the finest institutions around the world upon completion of the Programme.
Eligibility
- 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). Therefore, to apply for 2017-18 they should have received or submitted their Ph.D. between 1/9/2012 and 1/9/2017 and the Ph.D defence should take place no later than 31/12/2017.
- 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. Cite circumstances in the application form in the field 'Additional Notes'. Successful candidates will be asked to provide supporting documents.
- EUI graduates can only apply for a Max Weber Fellowships after having been away from the EUI and in a full-time occupation or another fellowship for at least a year after defending their Ph.D
- Candidates of any nationality are eligible for the Max Weber Fellowships.
- The expected level of English proficiency is level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Successful candidates will be requested to provide a certificate/supporting document on registration. This can be one of the international certificates listed below, or a supporting document showing that the candidate has written the doctorate, or published an article or a book chapter of at least 6000 words in English, or has studied and hold a qualification from a University where the language of instruction and assessment was English. Native English speakers are exempt of proof.
The following international certificates of English proficiency are recognised by the EUI.
Who Can Apply?
The Programme is open to applicants who are within 5 years of the completion of their Ph.D. from anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality, and is not restricted to citizens of the EU. The language of the programme is English and applicants must fulfil the English language requirements as outlined in the section on Eligibility.
Applicants for Max Weber Fellowships who are nationals of Australia, Finland, Greece, Japan or Slovenia may be considered for the grant schemes that are run by funding bodies in these countries.
For How Long?
The vast majority of Max Weber Fellowships are for one year.
The Departments of History and Civilization (HEC) and Law (LAW) only offer 1 year Fellowships.
The Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS) and the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) offer both 1 year and 2 year Fellowships.
Most applicants to the Department of Economics (ECO) are selected for a 2 year fellowship, which involves additional activities, such as limited teaching in the department, in the second year. In exceptional cases, ECO may also offer three years.
Candidates for SPS, ECO and RSCAS are asked to indicate the desired length of their Fellowship (1, 2 or, in the case of ECO only, 3 years) when applying. Candidates for HEC and LAW can only stipulate 1 year. All Fellowships run from September to August. The EUI reserves the right to determine the length of the award, be it 12, 24 or 36 months. The period offered will be indicated in the award letter.
For more information click "further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.eui.eu/ProgrammesAndFellowships/MaxWeberProgramme/ApplytotheMWP/Why-Apply-Index.aspx