About the Fellowship
The New Europe College (NEC) Fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study in Bucharest, Romania, offer a prestigious residential research opportunity for postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences. Designed to support innovative, high-quality research, the fellowship provides scholars with protected research time, international academic exchange, and access to excellent institutional resources. Fellows join a vibrant interdisciplinary community and participate in seminars, workshops, and scholarly events that foster long-term intellectual collaboration. With generous financial support, accommodation, and research funding, NEC Fellowships enable scholars to advance original projects with regional and global relevance while contributing to NEC’s long-standing mission of academic excellence and independent scholarship.
Fellowship Details
- Position Title: NEC Fellowship (Postdoctoral Level)
- Host Institution: New Europe College – Institute for Advanced Study
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
- Research Field(s): Humanities and social sciences (all areas, including law and economics)
- Fellowship Type: Residential Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Level: Postdoctoral / Early- to Mid-Career Scholars
- Number of Fellowships: Approximately 25 across multiple programmes
- Fellowship Duration:
- Romanian citizens: 10 months (October 2026 – July 2027)
- International fellows: 5 or 10 months (starting October 2026 or March 2027)
Funding / Compensation
- Monthly allowance of €1,000 (tax-free)
- Accommodation in Bucharest, including living quarters and working space
- Reimbursement of international travel costs (home country to Bucharest and return)
- Lump sum funding for a research trip or conference participation
- Full access to NEC’s library and electronic research resources
Supported Research Fields / Areas
- Humanities (history, philosophy, cultural studies, literature, archaeology, law, history of science)
- Social sciences (political science, sociology, anthropology, economics)
- Interdisciplinary and comparative research approaches
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Postdoctoral-level scholars (PhD completed)
- Open to Romanian and international applicants
- Research project in the humanities or social sciences
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong academic track record and publications
- Innovative research proposal with clear scholarly contribution
- Interdisciplinary or comparative perspectives
Not Eligible:
- Applicants without a completed PhD
- Incomplete or late submissions
Fellowship Responsibilities
- Conduct independent research on the proposed project
- Participate in NEC’s academic events and scholarly activities
- Attend weekly compulsory seminars discussing research progress
- Submit a final research paper at the end of the fellowship
Application Process
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted online only via the NEC application portal.
- Application Languages: English, French, or German
- Preferred Working Language: English
Required Documents:
- Completed online application form
- Recent photograph
- Scan of PhD diploma
Project Description:
- Maximum 12,000 characters (including references)
- Must describe the research stage, objectives, and scholarly contribution
Selection Process
Stage 1 – Preselection:
- Applications reviewed by NEC academic staff and external experts
- Results communicated in March 2026
Stage 2 – Final Interviews:
- Online interviews via Zoom
- Conducted 22–24 April 2026
- Final selection decided by the Academic Advisory Board
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 January 2026
- Reference Letter Deadline: 25 January 2026
- Preselection Results: March 2026
- Final Interviews: 22–24 April 2026
- Fellowship Start Dates: October 2026 or March 2027
Where to Apply
- Institution Website: New Europe College – Institute for Advanced Study, Romania
- Official Notification: click here
- Application Portal: click here
Learn more research opportunities: click here
