Building on the academic synergies across eight Southeast European countries, the 2025 Fellowship Program focuses on the theme: "Change in the Balkans – Strategic Interventions for Democratic Europe." Scholars will explore vital topics such as economic sustainability, digital transformation, and the green transition, all within the context of regional and global shifts.
Fellows will be hosted at Universities of Rijeka and Belgrade, with the opportunity to collaborate with co-hosts at universities in Skopje, Sarajevo, Ljubljana, Prishtina, Tirana, or Podgorica. This dynamic, multi-university network allows fellows to engage with a vibrant academic community and access diverse resources for their research.
What the Fellowship Offers:
• Research Opportunities: Fellows will spend up to 4 weeks conducting research at a partner university, benefiting from access to local data and expertise in their field.
• Monthly Stipend: Fellows receive a net monthly stipend of 1,500 Euros, allowing them to focus on their research.
• Academic Collaboration: Engage with fellow scholars through the CAS Online Seminar series and capacity-building workshops at the Academic Policy Lab.
• Renaissance Retreat: Fellows will also spend one week at the Moise Palace on the island of Cres, a hub for interdisciplinary research and local community engagement.
• Conferences and Policy Events: Attend a regional conference and present your research at a policy-relevant event in the EU, with travel and accommodation costs covered.
Fellowship Theme
2025 Fellowship Theme: "Change in the Balkans – Strategic Interventions for Democratic Europe." The fellowship focuses on addressing intertwined crises and finding innovative solutions in the following areas:
• Economic Change: Tackling the dual challenges of unsustainable pension systems and succession gaps in family businesses.
• Digital Change: Exploring the integration of the Balkans into the European digital space, with a focus on digital security and innovation.
• Green Change: Driving regional actions to support a green and just transition in Southeast Europe.
Application Information
The fellowship is open to researchers from all disciplines within the humanities, social sciences, and arts. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. obtained within the last 5 years or be Ph.D. candidates in the later stages of their studies. Fluency in English is required, as it is the working language of the fellowship.
• Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
• Expected Start of Fellowship: December 15, 2024
• For more information, please visit: https://recas.info/fellowship-call/
This fellowship is supported by the Open Society Foundation Western Balkans, ERSTE Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, fostering brain circulation and democratic development across Southeast Europe.