European University Institute (EUI) Policy Leader Fellowship (PLF) 2026 is a prestigious, fully funded residential program located in the heart of Florence, Italy. Hosted at the School of Transnational Governance (STG), this fellowship is uniquely designed for mid-career policy professionals rather than traditional academics. It provides an immersive environment to develop practical solutions for transnational policy challenges while networking with global leaders.
Fellowship Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Host Institution | European University Institute (EUI) |
| Location | Palazzo Buontalenti, Florence, Italy |
| Duration | 5 Months (Sept–Jan) or 10 Months (Sept–June) |
| Grant Amount | €2,500 per month (Basic grant) |
| Application Deadline | January 23, 2026 (14:00 CET) |
Financial Benefits
The fellowship is structured to support professionals and their families during their residence in Florence:
- Monthly Grant: A basic stipend of €2,500. (Note: If you receive other income, the grant may be adjusted to a minimum of €1,750).
- Family Allowances: * Household: Up to €310/month for a partner living with you.
- Child: €210/month for each dependent child.
- Travel Reimbursement: Up to €1,200 for round-trip travel (economy airfare or first-class rail) from your place of origin to Florence.
- Taxation: The grant is not taxed by the EUI, though you must follow your home country’s tax laws.
Eligibility Criteria
The EUI looks for practitioners with “hands-on” experience in policy-making, civil service, or diplomacy.
- Professional Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
- Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Nationality: Open to all nationalities; EU citizenship is not required.
- Language: Proficiency in English (level C1). While a certificate isn’t required at the application stage, successful candidates must provide one upon registration.
- Profile: Ideal for those in politics, civil service, NGOs, media, or international organizations. Strictly academic profiles are usually not prioritized.
Required Documents
Applications must be submitted through the official EUI portal. You will need:
- CV: Maximum 3 pages in PDF format.
- Short Biography: Maximum 250 words.
- Letter of Motivation: Maximum 1,000 words explaining why you are applying and your future aspirations.
- Work Plan: Maximum 2,500 words detailing your project title, abstract, milestones, and intended policy impact.
- Reference Letters: Two letters submitted directly by your referees through the system.
- Highest Degree Certificate: A scanned copy of your diploma.
The STG Experience
Fellows are integrated into the daily life of the STG. You will:
- Develop an Individual Policy Project (e.g., a white paper, toolkit, or advocacy strategy).
- Contribute to Collective Projects led by STG faculty.
- Lead STG Talks, a weekly forum to exchange insights with the broader EUI community.
- Attend leadership seminars and professional skills workshops.