Role Type: Residential Policy Fellowship (5 or 10 Months)
Location: Florence, Italy (Palazzo Buontalenti)
Target Audience: Mid-Career Policy Professionals (10+ Years Experience)
Start Date: September 1, 2026
Deadline: January 23, 2026 (14:00 CET)
Application Status: Open Now
The Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG) at the European University Institute (EUI) is inviting applications for its prestigious Policy Leader Fellowship (PLF) for the academic year 2026-2027. Located in the historic Palazzo Buontalenti in Florence, this programme is designed for dynamic professionals who want to shape the future of global governance.
This is not a traditional academic fellowship. It is aimed specifically at mid-career practitioners—politicians, civil servants, media professionals, and NGO leaders—who want to step back from the daily grind to develop practical policy solutions. Fellows get an insider view into EU policy-making while leveraging the resources of one of Europe's top academic institutions.
<>Program Structure: What Will You Do?
Fellows spend five or ten months at the STG engaging in two main pillars of work:
1. Individual Project
You will develop your own policy recommendations and practical solutions for a pressing transnational issue, informed by your professional background.
2. Collective Project
Fellows contribute to faculty-led thematic projects. For 2026-27, you must choose to engage with specific themes offered by the faculty (e.g., climate governance, digital politics, etc.).
<>Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
This is a highly competitive program (accepting ~4-5% of applicants). Check if you fit the profile:
- Experience: You must have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.
- Profile: Mid-career professionals. Candidates with a strictly academic profile are generally not considered.
- Nationality: Open to candidates from anywhere in the world. EU citizenship is not required.
- Language: Proficiency in English (C1 Level) is required to work effectively.
<>Application Requirements (The Dossier)
The application is extensive and must be submitted online. Do not wait until the last minute.
Key Documents
- CV: Maximum 3 pages.
- Short Bio: Max 250 words.
- Motivation Letter: Max 1,000 words explaining your objectives and future aspirations.
- Work Plan: A detailed 2,500-word plan for your individual project (objectives, milestones, impact).
- Collective Project Statements: Two statements (400 words each) explaining how you will contribute to two specific faculty-led projects.
- Reference Letters: Two (2) letters from professional referees (Deadline for referees is Jan 31, 2026).
⚠️ Note on AI: The EUI has strict guidelines. Do not use Generative AI to autonomously write your application. If used for drafting, it must be acknowledged.
<>Selection Criteria
The selection committee evaluates candidates based on:
- Professional Excellence: Accomplishments in your policy field.
- Feasibility: The quality and applicability of your work plan.
- Contribution: Your ability to add value to the Collective Projects and the STG community.
- Diversity: The cohort is balanced geographically and by gender.
<>How to Apply
Applications are submitted via the EUI online portal. Late applications are not accepted.