Fulbright Postdoctoral Award

Fulbright-Schuman Postdoctoral Award at the European University Institute (Florence, Italy)

Multi-Country

European Union

Multi-country

Italy

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25373-MC
Activity Type
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.

Number of recipients

Exactly
1
Award Start Period
September 2026 - April 2027
Award Length
3 months - 9 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
Yes
Multi-Country
1
Disciplines
Economics
History (non- U.S.)
Law
Political Science
Sociology
Scholars selected for this award will be required to
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing

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.

Award Activity

One American scholar will be selected for the Fulbright-Schuman Postdoctoral Award at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, during the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholar selected for this award is expected to conduct his/her own research through an affiliation with one of the EUI Departments (Economics, History and Civilization, Law, Political and Social Sciences) or the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, which is devoted to interdisciplinary, comparative, and policy research on the major issues of the European integration process. If suitable, the candidate may choose to affiliate with the Max Weber Programme, currently the largest international postdoctoral training program in the social sciences.

Locations
Location Selection: Award is hosted by the institution listed below
Locations Detail

European University Institute, 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. Department of State and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. 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. 

Award Length and Period

Applications will be considered for one semester (i.e. three to five months) or the entire academic year (i.e. nine months). Grants must occur between September 2025 and June 2026. Grants running through August 2026 will only be considered if the project requires this flexibility and the host institution confirms support for the summer months.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Not applicable – all U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is preferred.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

Applicants are highly encouraged to provide a letter of invitation from the European University Institute in order to ensure that their proposal would be accepted by EUI 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 does not fit into its curriculum.

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Comments

This award is administered by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, Belgium. For questions, please contact info@fulbright.be. 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. 

Application Form: To select this award in the application, on the Program Eligibility page, select Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, then select “No” for “Are you applying to an award that allows for grant activities in multiple countries”. (You must also answer the other questions on this page to proceed.) Click Save and Continue. Then, on the Country & Award Selection page, select Italy, then select the award from the award list.

You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.

Award Allowances

$3,238 per month (3000 EUR)

(Note: Grant will be awarded in euro; USD value may fluctuate.)

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

One-time travel allowance of $2,159 (€2,000 - for grantee only).

(Note: Grant will be awarded in euro; USD value may fluctuate.)

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
No
Special Award Benefits

Before and during the grant period, the successful candidate will be supported by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels as well as the Italian Fulbright Commission. Grantees are incorporated into local programming, including in-country orientation, cultural activities, and alumni associations.

All participants in the Fulbright Schuman Program who are in Europe on the 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 2026. 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.

Countries Overview

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, community college faculty and 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 at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, 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.