In a world with increasing conflict and limits on freedom of expression, students, researchers, and academics can be targeted for their research. Since its founding, the EUI has held the protection of academic freedom as one of its core values. The EUI is committed to supporting at-risk scholars facing threats due to their work, ethnicity, religion, gender, or political opinions. Since 2017, the EUI has been a member of the Scholars at Risk (SAR) network, advocating for academic freedom globally. The EUI has also cooperated with the Scholar Rescue Fund at the Institute for International Education (SRF-IIE). Since 2023, the EUI has continued engaging with the Scholars at Risk network and Scholars Rescue Fund to explore possibilities of cooperation and to support awareness-raising activities, such as the EUI conference ‘Scholars at risk in Social Sciences’.
Furthermore, the EUI has maintained its partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and UNHCR - Italy by taking part in the initiative ‘University Corridors for Refugees’ (UNICORE). The EUI has also supported the EUI Refugee Initiative, in partnership with Caritas Florence and the Dioceses of Fiesole, which welcomes and hosts Afghan refugees at the EUI.
Through its academic programmes and partnerships with different institutions, the EUI has offered several scholarships, with the view to hosting asylum seekers, refugee students, and scholars whose freedom has been at risk and affected by conflict situations, such as the invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas hostilities.
Donate through the EUI’s crowdfunding initiative. Learn more about the scholarships available in support of scholars affected by the hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Gaza and across the Middle East:
Learn more on academic initiatives and scholarships in support of Ukrainian scholars:
Opportunities for scholars at risk
The EUI, one of Europe's most renowned academic institutions, offers fellowships and programmes that ensure these scholars can continue their important work in a safe and nurturing environment. Taught in English, the EUI academic programmes provide immediate relief and integrate students and scholars into a vibrant and multi-cultural academic community, supporting their long-term professional and personal development and their contribution to global research and policymaking.
- Max Weber Fellowships: The Max Weber Programme is the largest international postdoctoral programme in Europe's Social Sciences and Humanities. It offers fellowships to recent PhD graduates who aim to enhance their academic practice. Fellows benefit from comprehensive career development support, including academic writing, grant applications, and teaching opportunities.
- Jean Monnet Fellowships: Offered by the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSC), these one-year fellowships are open to scholars who obtained their doctorate over five years ago. Fellows engage with the Centre’s research themes, contributing to the academic community through active participation in projects and programmes.
- Fernand Braudel and Simone Veil Fellowships: Organised by the EUI’s four scientific departments and the Robert Schuman Centre, these fellowships provide a framework for established academics with an international reputation to pursue their research interests in collaboration with EUI faculty and fellows, fostering an interdisciplinary approach and engagement with EUI’s diverse academic community.
- Policy Leader Fellowships: Hosted at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG), these fellowships are designed for early to mid-career policy professionals who want to improve their policy skills in an international setting. Fellows benefit from a programme that combines academic and practical policy training, engaging with EUI’s extensive network of experts, policymakers and partners. This fellowship caters to individuals from various policy fields outside academia: politics, civil service, media, NGOs, etc.
- Doctoral and Master’s Programmes: Long-term integration in EUI doctoral and master’s programmes is also available to students and scholars at risk. The doctoral programmes in the departments offer advanced training and research opportunities in History, Law, Economics and Political and Social Sciences, equipping scholars with the skills and knowledge to contribute to academic and policy discussions globally. The STG’s Master in Transnational Governance provides students with a multidisciplinary curriculum and competencies that address global challenges through innovative governance solutions and policymaking strategies.
Useful resources:
Partner with us
For more information about the EUI academic programmes open to at-risk students and scholars and how your organisation can partner with the EUI, please contact:
EUI Development and External Relations Service [email protected]