Funding

Partial / Stipend

Program dates

Aug 31, 2026

Fellowship•Italy · Florence

Policy Leader Fellowship

European University Institute — Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG)

Application Deadline

Closed · January 23, 2026

Reopens ~Jan 2027

Official Page

The Policy Leader Fellowship (PLF) is a residential programme at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG) of the European University Institute (EUI). It brings mid-career professionals from politics, civil service, media, non-governmental organisations and related fields to Florence for five or ten months to develop policy recommendations and practical solutions to issues of transnational relevance, informed by their own work experience. Fellows join the STG academic community, take part in professional-skills training and faculty-led thematic projects, and enter a global alumni network. Around 20–25 fellowships are awarded each year.

Benefits & funding

  • Basic grant of €2,500 per month (reduced to a minimum of €1,750 per month if the fellow receives other income, subject to a combined income ceiling).
  • Household allowance of up to €310 per month for a fellow whose partner lives with them in Florence and earns under €2,000 per month.
  • Dependent-child allowance of €210 per month per child (no allowance for dependents over 26).
  • Travel reimbursement up to €1,200 total for the incoming and outgoing trip (economy air or first-class rail; taxis excluded).
  • The fellowship is not taxed by the EUI. No removal or installation expenses are provided.
  • Access to STG and EUI faculty, professional-skills training, faculty-led thematic projects, and lifelong alumni training.

Eligibility

  • Mid-career professionals with a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
  • At least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; a PhD is not required.
  • Open to applicants of any nationality, worldwide.
  • English proficiency at CEFR level C1.
  • No age limit. The fellowship is full-time and residential in Florence and cannot be combined with other employment.

Can you apply?

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  • Education required

    Bachelor · Master · PhD

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  • Experience required

    ≥ 10 yrs

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Application process

  1. 1
    Prepare a work plan for a five- or ten-month stay, a CV, and the required documents (including your highest educational certificate); applications are submitted through the EUI online portal.
  2. 2
    Arrange for reference letters to be submitted by the stated reference deadline.
  3. 3
    Stage 1 — an eligibility check removes incomplete or late applications.
  4. 4
    Stage 2 — a Selection Committee assesses the professional profile, the work plan, and the contribution the applicant can make to the STG; the EUI Executive Committee gives final approval.

Program timeline

  1. 2025-11

    Applications open for the 2026–2027 cycle

  2. Application deadline

    Jan 23, 2026 (14:00 CET)

  3. Reference letters due

    Jan 31, 2026 (14:00 CET)

  4. Fellowship begins (5- or 10-month tracks)

    Aug 31, 2026