Young people from around the world can now apply for a fully funded travel and fellowship opportunity in Italy, offering a monthly stipend of €2,500, housing support, and travel reimbursement. Applications are officially open for the 2026 EUI Leaders Scholarship, a prestigious international fellowship hosted in Florence, Italy by the European University Institute (EUI).
This competitive fellowship provides emerging and mid-career professionals the chance to live in Italy, work on high-impact policy projects, and engage with global leaders in governance, development, diplomacy, public policy, and civil society.
Summary of the Opportunity
- Host Country: Italy
- Host City: Florence
- Funding Body: European University Institute (EUI)
- Program Name: EUI Leadership Program 2026 (Policy Leaders Fellowship)
- Monthly Stipend: €2,500
- Additional Allowances: €300 housing support + travel reimbursement
- Program Duration: 5 months or 10 months
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all countries
- Deadline: January 23, 2026
Program Overview
Italy is offering international applicants a rare fully funded fellowship that supports travel, accommodation, and living expenses in one of Europe’s most historic academic cities Florence. The EUI Policy Leaders Fellowship invites professionals to work on practical, real-world policy projects while being mentored by experienced international experts.
Participants engage in policy workshops, leadership seminars, academic lectures, and collaborative training activities within the School of Transnational Governance. The fellowship is designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers in:
- Public policy
- Governance and development
- Diplomacy and civil society
- Media and communications
- Political affairs
Fellows also gain access to networking events, international policymakers, and a global learning community while enjoying the rich cultural environment of Italy.
Fellowship Duration
Applicants may choose one of the following program lengths:
- Five months
- Ten months
Eligible Countries
Applications are accepted from all nationalities worldwide.
Financial Coverage
The fully funded Italy fellowship provides:
- Monthly stipend of €2,500
- €300 housing allowance
- Coverage of travel expenses up to €1,200
- Permission to bring family members
- Assistance with obtaining an Italian Schengen visa
This package ensures fellows can live comfortably in Florence during the program.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must prepare and submit the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Motivation letter (maximum 100 words), outlining policy interests, cross-border issues of concern, future goals, and reasons for applying.
- Short biography (maximum 250 words).
- Project or business plan title and description (maximum 1500 words).
- Copy of the highest academic qualification.
- Two recommendation letters (PDF format).
- Sample of previous work such as a report, article, or blog post.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the EUI Policy Leaders Fellowship, applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Early-career or mid-career professional experience with potential for further development.
- Background or involvement in political, governance, or policy-related issues.
- Professionals working in civil service, NGOs, media, political sectors, or related fields.
- Open to individuals from all nationalities.
- Preference may be given to highly motivated and intellectually curious candidates.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply is January 23, 2026.
How to Apply
Applicants can submit their applications through the official EUI fellowship portal.
