The EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships 2026/2027 provide PhD funding for eligible candidates who want to study at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy.
The fellowships cover doctoral programmes in Economics, History, Law, and Political and Social Sciences. They are intended for candidates from specific countries who are not eligible for another EUI funding programme.
For the next EUI doctoral intake, applications open in early November 2026, and the deadline is 15 January 2027 at 14:00 CET (Italy time). The doctoral programmes start on 1 September 2027.
EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships 2026/2027 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships |
| University | European University Institute |
| Location | Florence, Italy |
| Study level | PhD/Doctoral |
| Fields | Economics, History, Law, Political and Social Sciences |
| Funding authority | European University Institute |
| Monthly grant | €1,650 |
| Family allowance | Yes |
| Travel allowance | Yes |
| Health insurance | Yes |
| Application opens | Early November 2026 |
| Application deadline | 15 January 2027 at 14:00 CET |
| Programme start | 1 September 2027 |
| Separate scholarship application | No |
The EUI confirms that the €1,650 monthly grant applies from 1 January 2026.
What Are the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships?
The EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships are special funding opportunities reserved for eligible candidates from countries that are not covered by another EUI funding programme.
The fellowships are attached to four EUI doctoral programmes:
- Adam Smith Doctoral Fellowship – Economics
- Jacob Burckhardt Doctoral Fellowship – History
- Hans Kelsen Doctoral Fellowship – Law
- Hannah Arendt Doctoral Fellowship – Political and Social Sciences
The EUI states that departments use academic merit as the primary criterion when awarding these fellowships.
EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship Eligibility
Applicants can apply if they hold the nationality of one of the countries listed by the EUI and are not eligible for another EUI funding programme.
The eligible countries include:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Special consideration for candidates affected by conflict
For the 2026–27 academic year, the EUI stated that candidates in History, Law, and Political and Social Sciences whose academic progress was affected by an ongoing war or other armed conflict could receive special consideration.
The EUI’s current doctoral programme pages continue to state that candidates affected by ongoing war or armed conflict may receive special consideration. Applicants should check the funding page and the relevant doctoral programme application instructions when the 2027 intake application opens in November 2026 for the exact provisions applicable to that cycle.
Candidates who do not have one of the listed nationalities may exceptionally qualify under the conflict-related provision for the relevant departments.
Other applicants who are not eligible for any EUI funding programme may be admitted only if they can secure an external scholarship.
Degree Requirements
Applicants for an EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship must have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in an academic discipline relevant to the selected EUI doctoral programme and research proposal.
The degree must be awarded by 31 August of the year in which the doctoral programme starts. For the 2027 intake, this means the degree must be obtained by 31 August 2027.
Your academic background should also be appropriate for the doctoral programme you are applying to.
Available PhD Programmes
The special fellowships are connected to four main EUI doctoral areas:
PhD in Economics: The Adam Smith Doctoral Fellowship is associated with the EUI Doctoral Programme in Economics.
History: The Jacob Burckhardt Doctoral Fellowship supports eligible candidates applying to the EUI Doctoral Programme in History and Civilisation.
PhD in Law: The Hans Kelsen Doctoral Fellowship is connected to the EUI Doctoral Programme in Law.
PhD in Political and Social Sciences: The Hannah Arendt Doctoral Fellowship is associated with the EUI Doctoral Programme in Political and Social Sciences.
EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship Benefits
€1,650 Monthly Grant: The fellowship currently provides a monthly grant of €1,650, applicable from 1 January 2026.
Family Allowance: The EUI lists a family allowance as one of the benefits available under the Special Doctoral Fellowship.
Travel Allowance: Fellows are also eligible for a travel allowance.
Health Insurance: The funding package includes insurance. EUI registration information also identifies EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship recipients among researchers who can receive medical insurance coverage through the EUI collective medical policy at the expense of the relevant funding authority.
Is There a Separate Scholarship Application?
No. This is one of the most important things applicants should know.
The application for admission to the EUI doctoral programme automatically serves as the application for the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship.
When completing the online EUI application, candidates who want to be considered for this funding should select “EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship Programme” under the Funding Authorities section.
Applicants must also indicate their nationality in the Justification field.
How to Apply for the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship
The application is completed online through the EUI doctoral programme application system.
1: Choose Your PhD Programme
Select the EUI doctoral programme that matches your academic background and proposed research.
You can apply to only one EUI programme in the application cycle.
2: Prepare Your Research Proposal
Your research proposal is an important part of the application. It should explain your proposed PhD research and demonstrate that the project can be supervised within the selected EUI department.
For example, the EUI Law programme requires a research proposal written in English or French and limited to 2,500 words, including footnotes, references and bibliography. Applicants should check the specific requirements of their chosen department because document requirements can differ.
3: Select the Special Fellowship
In the funding section of the online application, select:
EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship Programme
You should also enter your nationality in the required justification field.
4: Register Your Referees
Applicants should register their academic referees early.
For most departments, two academic reference letters are required. Economics requires three academic referees. References must be submitted directly by the referees through the EUI system by the application deadline.
5: Submit Your Application
Submit the completed online application and all required documents before the deadline.
For the 2027 EUI doctoral intake, the application deadline is:
15 January 2027 at 14:00 CET (Italy time).
Official Application
Applicants should use the European University Institute’s official application system and review the funding requirements for their chosen department before submitting.
Official EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships page:
EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships – Official Website
Official EUI Doctoral Programme application information:
EUI Doctoral Programmes – Application Information
English Language Requirements
The EUI expects applicants to demonstrate C1-level English proficiency.
The currently recognised international English tests include:
- IELTS: 7.5 or higher
- TOEFL iBT: 110 or higher
- Cambridge Proficiency: A, B or C
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): A or B
Applicants who are native English speakers or who completed a degree programme entirely taught in English may qualify for an exemption from submitting an English certificate, subject to the EUI’s rules.
If an applicant cannot provide the required certificate by the deadline because of an accepted extenuating circumstance, the EUI provides a procedure for explaining the situation. Pre-selected candidates without an accepted certificate may be required to take an EUI English assessment.
Conflict-Affected Applicants
Candidates in History, Law and Political and Social Sciences whose academic progress has been disrupted by an ongoing war or other armed conflict may be considered under the EUI’s special provision.
The EUI states that eligible applicants should provide a separate statement of up to 700 words explaining their circumstances and how the conflict has affected their academic progress.
The statement is treated confidentially and is used to assess funding eligibility and the application.
For the 2027 intake, applicants should follow the instructions displayed in the online application form when applications open in November 2026.
EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship Deadline 2026/2027
The next EUI doctoral application round opens in early November 2026.
The deadline is: 15 January 2027 at 14:00 CET
The doctoral programmes begin on: 1 September 2027
The EUI confirms these dates on its current doctoral programme pages for Economics, History and Law.
Applicants should not wait until the final day to begin the application because referees must also submit their reference letters by the deadline.
FAQs
Is the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship fully funded?
The EUI lists a €1,650 monthly grant, family allowance, travel allowance and insurance. The exact terms of funding should be checked against the EUI funding information applicable to the intake.
Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?
No. The EUI doctoral admission application automatically serves as the application for the Special Doctoral Fellowship. You must select the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship Programme in the funding section of the application.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. Nigeria is included among the nationalities listed for the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships. However, the fellowship is intended for candidates who are not eligible for another EUI funding programme.
What degree do I need?
You need a Master’s degree or equivalent in a field relevant to the EUI doctoral programme and your proposed research. The degree must be awarded by 31 August 2027 for the 2027 intake.
When does the 2027 EUI PhD programme start?
The programme starts on 1 September 2027.
When is the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship deadline?
The deadline for the 2027 EUI doctoral application is 15 January 2027 at 14:00 CET (Italy time). Applications open in early November 2026.
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