The Policy Leader Fellowship 2025-2026 (Fully Funded)

The Policy Leader Fellowship (PLF) at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG) is a residential programme for mid-career policy professionals from diverse fields such as politics, civil service, media, and NGOs. It offers an insider view into EU policymaking and attracts individuals with extensive hands-on experience without requiring an academic background. Fellows spend five or ten months at STG developing policy solutions, attending professional trainings, and engaging with the EUI community. They contribute to STG by sharing their real-world insights and form lasting connections. The programme welcomes applicants worldwide, with no age limit, but requires at least 10 years of professional experience. Graduates join a global alumni network and access lifelong training opportunities.

Scholarship amount and payment:

Grant

The basic grant is € 2,500 per month.

Successful applicants who receive other grants or salaries must disclose this to the EUI. The amount of the Fellowship will be fixed at a lower rate (minimum €1,750 per month) depending on the amount of the additional income (upon production of relevant supporting documents).

If applicable, family allowances will be added to the basic grant (see below).

Family Allowances

A household allowance of up to € 300 per month is paid to a Fellow with a partner if the partner lives with him /her in Florence and on the condition that the partner’s income is less than € 2,000 per month. The sum of income and allowance cannot exceed € 2,000 per month (i.e. if the income is more than € 1,700, the allowance will be paid only to top up to € 2,000).

An allowance of € 200 per month is paid for each dependent child. Fellows are entitled to these allowances if they can declare that they are not receiving any similar allowance from another source, and upon submission of relevant supporting documents (i.e. marriage or partner certificate, or proof of cohabitation in Florence; birth certificates).

For dependent children in full-time education and over the age of 18, a school or university certificate is required. No allowance is paid for dependent children over the age of 26.

Eligibility Criteria:

The general profile of the candidates:

• Mid-career professionals able to demonstrate solid professional experience (minimum 10 years) and potential for future excellence in a given policy area; candidates with strictly academic profile typically will not be considered;
• Self-motivated and driven, able to autonomously accomplish the activities presented under the fellowship work plan;
• Open-minded and curious individuals willing to engage in peer discussions on topics which may go beyond their area of expertise;

Evaluation criteria:

• Accomplishments and potential: Professional excellence is assessed on the basis of the candidate’s contributions to a given policy field based on the CV and any other supporting evidence of the application. Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.
• Focus area: The candidate’s field of work should be broadly aligned with the STG programmes and faculty research a Other themes can also be considered but preference will be given to applicants that cover policy areas of the STG faculty and programmes.
• Fellowship work plan: Applicants are assessed on the professional substance of their work plan as well as its feasibility, applicability in a transnational policy context and potential impact.
• Motivation: Applicants should be able to articulate what difference the fellowship experience will make to their professional journey as well as what they can offer to the STG. Preference is given to applicants who can both contribute to the STG programmes and activities as well as benefit from their stay at the STG and the EUI.
• Diversity: The programme strives for thematic and geographic diversity as well as gender balance among the fellows.

How to Apply:

Applications Deadline

Applications have to be submitted through the online application portal. Paper or email applications will not be considered. 

The application deadline for the 2025-2026 call is 24 January 2025 (14:00 CET).

1. Register your application as soon as possible in order to give your referees sufficient time to submit the reference letters
2. Submit your application by the deadline

Once you have registered your application you may continue to work on the application details and attachments until the deadline. After submission, it will not be possible to update or modify your application.

Deadline: 24 January 2025 (6PM in Pakistan).