Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
One American scholar will be selected as a Fulbright-Schuman Distinguished Scholar at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy during the 2026-2027 academic year. The scholar selected for this award is expected to conduct their own research program and/or teach a course at EUI, as agreed with the hosting department. In addition, the selected candidate may be asked to co-supervise postgraduate students and to contribute to the academic life of the host institution through the organization of other activities (e.g., special lectures, extracurricular activities).
Although the main host institution for this award should be EUI, applicants to this award can propose research in other EU Member States in addition to their research in Italy. The selected grantee will apply for a visa to Italy for the full duration of the grant, which will allow for visa-free travel to any EU Member State for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for research.
EU Member States include the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Activities proposed outside of these countries will not be accepted.
Please note that this award rotates among different host institutions: in future years, it may be hosted by the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.
European University Institute in Florence, Italy.
Although this scholar will be primarily based in Italy, this award is part of the multi-country Fulbright Schuman Program, which is administered by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels and jointly financed by the U.S. State Department and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. Applicants may teach or conduct research in other EU member states, but it must be in agreement with the European University Institute. The aim of this program is to provide opportunities for Americans and Europeans to study and conduct research on the transatlantic relationship. The program funds graduate and postgraduate study, research, and lecture proposals in the field of US-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions for interested American and EU citizens.
Applications will be considered for one semester (i.e. three to five months) and projects should occur between September 2026 and June 2027. Grants running through August 2027 will only be considered if the project requires this flexibility and the host institution confirms support for the summer months.
The Fulbright Schuman Program is administered by the Fulbright Commission in Belgium and is jointly financed by the U.S. Department of State and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. Although research can be in many different fields, only candidates who wish to study, research, or lecture on a topic relevant to U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions are eligible for this award. Possible subject areas include, but are not limited to: economics, history, law, political science, public policy, and sociology. Candidates should consider how their proposed research fits into the Academic Units of the European University Institute or find a host within the department who would agree to work with you on your project, even if your research is only tangentially related to the wider academic area of that department.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are highly encouraged to provide a letter of invitation from EUI in order to ensure that their proposal would be accepted and fit into one of the subject areas taught at the Institute. Scholars may apply for this program without a letter of invitation, but they run the risk of disqualification if EUI says the research project either does not fit into its curriculum or is not supported by department faculty.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
All semi-finalists for this award will be invited to a brief virtual interview with a panel composed by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels. Grantees will be notified of their interview date and time at least two weeks before it is scheduled, and the interview will be 20 minutes or shorter. More specific details of the interview process will by provided by the Fulbright Commission to all semi-finalists to give them time to prepare for the interview.
$5,264 per month (€5,000).
Note: Grant will be awarded in euro; USD value may fluctuate.
One-time travel allowance of $2,106 (€2,000 - for grantee only).
Note: Grant will be awarded in euro; USD value may fluctuate.
Excluding rent, the cost of living in Italy is on par with or slightly lower than most areas of the United States. You can find a list of average prices here, including the option to compare cost of living to where you are currently located.
Before and during the grant period, the successful candidate will be supported by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels. Grantees are incorporated into local programming, including in-country orientation, cultural activities, and alumni associations.
All participants in the Fulbright Schuman Program who are still on their grant at the time of the event will be invited to join Fulbright grantees from across Europe at the annual Fulbright Seminar on the European Union and NATO, hosted by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, in February 2027. Highlights of the annual seminar include visits to the European Court of Justice, the European Commission, the U.S. Mission to the EU, and NATO Headquarters. Past participants have also had an opportunity to learn more about the culture and history of Belgium and Luxembourg through tours of Luxembourg City, Brussels, and Bruges as well as visits to the Bastogne War Museum and College of Europe. The Fulbright Commission will cover the cost of participation in the seminar as well as the cost of travel from the host country to/from Brussels.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
The Fulbright-Schuman European Union Program offers grants for policy-oriented research proposals that address topics of common importance for the US-EU relationship and/or EU affairs and are tenable in one or more European Union Member State(s). Proposals are invited in a wide range of fields relevant to US-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions. In addition to traditional academic scholars, professionals such as policy-makers, policy analysts and researchers at think tanks, non-profit organizations (NGOs), associations, learned societies, foundations, decision-makers at state or federal government offices, and individuals in industry or the media with relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply.
Fulbright-Schuman awards include: the Fulbright-Schuman Distinguished Scholar and the Fulbright-Schuman Postdoctoral Award at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy (see awards in Italy), the generalized Fulbright-Schuman European Union Affairs Program, and the Fulbright-Schuman Innovation Award.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
For more information about this particular award, interested applicants should consider contacting the Fulbright Commission in Brussels at info@fulbright.be or via the links below.
Applicants should note that the responsibility of obtaining a visa (both for the grantee and for any dependents) lies with the applicant, not Fulbright Commission staff. Grantees should therefore carefully look into visa issues in advance and allow plenty of time for the application process.