New Europe College Fellowships 2026-2027 and NEC Bucharest (Jan 18, 2026)

The New Europe College Fellowships 2026-2027 competition is now open, inviting scholars from around the world to conduct advanced research in Romania. Organized by the New Europe College (NEC), an Institute for Advanced Study in Bucharest, this prestigious program targets postdoctoral researchers in the humanities and social sciences, including law and economics. With approximately 25 fellowships available across eight distinct programs, successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend, accommodation, and travel funding.

Program Highlights

Feature	Details
Program Title	New Europe College Fellowships 2026-2027
Organizing Institution	New Europe College (NEC), Bucharest
Deadline	January 18, 2026
Stipend	€1,000 per month (Tax-free)
Duration	5 Months (International) or 10 Months (Romanian)
Academic Year	October 2026 – July 2027
Official Notification PDF	Download

Program Overview

The NEC Fellowship program is designed to support high-quality research by providing scholars with a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. The institute welcomes both Romanian and international scholars to apply for fellowships that span a full academic year or a single term. Specifically, international fellows can choose between a five-month term starting in October 2026 or March 2027, while Romanian citizens are expected to commit to a full 10-month academic year starting in October 2026.

In addition to the core fellowship, NEC offers specialized programs such as the Ameropa Fellowships for political science and economics, the Sustaining Ukrainian Scholarship (SUS) for scholars affected by the war, and the Mattei Dogan Fellowships for early-career researchers from Central and Eastern Europe.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the New Europe College Fellowships 2026, candidates must meet specific academic requirements.

• Academic Qualification: Applicants must hold a PhD title at the time of application.
• Discipline: The program is open to scholars in all areas of the humanities and social sciences, including law and economics.
• Nationality: The competition is open to both Romanian and international scholars.
• Language: A good command of English is preferred, as it is the working language for most NEC events.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows are provided with a comprehensive support package to ensure they can focus entirely on their research.

• Monthly Stipend: A tax-free allowance of €1,000 is provided to cover living expenses.
• Accommodation: Fellows receive living quarters and a dedicated working space in Bucharest.
• Travel Costs: The program reimburses travel expenses from the fellow’s home country to Bucharest and back.
• Research Funding: A lump sum is available for research trips or conference attendance at an institution of the fellow’s choice.
• Resources: Fellows are granted free access to the NEC library and electronic resources.

Fellow Obligations

Accepting the fellowship entails certain responsibilities to foster the institute’s academic community.

• Residency: Fellows are expected to work on their projects at the institute.
• Participation: Attendance at weekly seminars to discuss work progress is compulsory.
• Final Output: Fellows must submit a final research paper based on the project carried out during their residency.

Application Process

Applications for the New Europe College Fellowships 2026 must be submitted exclusively online.

• Portal: Candidates must fill in the form available at the official NEC website.
• Documents: Applicants need to upload a recent photo and a scan of their PhD diploma.
• Project Description: A research proposal of up to 12,000 characters (including bibliography) outlining the project’s objectives and current stage is required.
• References (Optional): Candidates may upload a CV and one or two letters of reference. If references are included, referees must upload their letters by January 25, 2026.
• Languages: Applications can be submitted in English, French, or German.

Selection Process

The assessment involves a rigorous two-stage process conducted by NEC academic staff and external experts.

1. Preselection: Applications are screened, and candidates will be notified of the results by email in the second half of March 2026.
2. Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Zoom interview with the Academic Board between April 22-24, 2026.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Deadline	January 18, 2026
Reference Letter Deadline	January 25, 2026
Preselection Notification	Second half of March 2026
Final Interviews	April 22 – 24, 2026

Contact Information

For questions regarding the application process or program details, candidates can contact the institute directly.

• Email: applications@nec.ro
• Phone: (+4) 021 307 99 10
• Address: New Europe College, Str. Plantelor 21, 023971 Bucharest, Romania

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the deadline for the New Europe College Fellowships 2026? 
The deadline for submitting applications is January 18, 2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Is the fellowship open to international scholars? 
Yes, the NEC Fellowships are open to both Romanian and international postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

What is the duration of the fellowship? 
For foreign citizens, the fellowship lasts for a full academic year or one term (5 months). For Romanian citizens, it is a full academic year (10 months).

Do I need to submit reference letters? 
Reference letters are optional. However, if you choose to include them, they must be uploaded by your referees by January 25, 2026.

What documents are required for the application? 
You must upload a recent photo, a scan of your PhD diploma, and complete the online application form with a project description.