Solidarity with scholars affected by the war

The EUI response to the hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict

The war in Gaza and the hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict has had a devastating impact on the educational infrastructure, leaving many without access to education.
The EUI provides:

• scholarships for students and researchers to continue their studies in a safe environment.
• fellowships and traineeships for at-risk academics and professionals who cannot return home.

Our commitment to scholars at risk

Students, researchers, and academics can be targeted for their research work in a world with increasing conflict and limits on freedom of expression. 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 students and 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. In 2021, the EUI joined the Open Society University Network to broaden access to higher education and promote global justice.

Through its academic programmes and in partnership with various organisations, the EUI has offered several scholarships, with the view to hosting asylum seekers, refugee students and scholars whose freedom was at risk and affected by conflict situations, including Ukraine.

In response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has resulted in significant loss of life, widespread violence, fear, and the destruction of Gaza's educational and research infrastructure, the EUI has launched a new initiative. The EUI has made available a series of dedicated academic scholarships to protect students and scholars affected by the conflict in Gaza and hostilities across the Middle East.

The success of such support relies mainly on the generosity of public and private donors, ensuring the continuation of a vital and often life-saving mission

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.

• Visiting PhD Researchers: Doctoral candidates can enrol in one of the EUI departments—Economics, History, Law, or Political and Social Sciences— to spend from one to six months, benefiting from the stimulating academic environment and dedicated research support and facilities, to continue and enrich doctoral study and research.
  
  
• 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.

Contribute to our crowdfunding initiative

Your contributions will go towards scholarships, fellowships, and traineeships making a difference in the lives of students, researchers, and academics affected by the conflict.

Please donate to the EUI Emergency Fund using the following references:

ISTITUTO UNIVERSITARIO EUROPEO

INTESA SANPAOLO S.p.A.

Via Bufalini, 4 50122 – Firenze

IBAN: IT38A0306902887100000000569

SWIFT CODE: BCITITMM

Description text: SOLIDARITY WITH SCHOLARS AT RISK

Please note that the EUI accepts contributions of up to € 5000 via bank transfer. 

Partner with us

For more information about the EUI academic programmes open to at-risk students and scholars affected by the hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict and how your organisation can partner with the EUI, please contact:

EUI Development and External Relations Service [email protected]