Bringing candidate country voices to Brussels
Deadline: 4 December 2025
Opportunity Type: Fellowship / Research Mobility Grant
Fellowship Duration: 3 months (between February – December 2026)
Grant Amount: €2,500 per month + travel costs
Eligibility: Early- to mid-career researchers and professionals from EU enlargement countries (Western Balkans, Turkey, Eastern Neighbourhood)
Venue: European Policy Centre (EPC), Brussels
Organizer: European Policy Centre (EPC)
Funding Partner: Stiftung Mercator
Overview
The European Policy Centre (EPC) invites applications for the Connecting Europe Fellowship, a new initiative that supports two young professionals from EU enlargement countries in advancing their independent research and contributing to transnational dialogue on the future of Europe.
The Fellowship aims to amplify candidate country voices in Brussels and strengthen cooperation between the EPC, civil society, and think tanks from the region. It aligns with the Connecting Europe: Thinking Enlarged initiative, designed to meaningfully include perspectives from EU candidate countries in policy debates.
Fellowship Details
Each fellow will spend three months in Brussels at the EPC, conducting a research project that connects EU enlargement with current policy challenges.
What the Fellowship Offers:
- Two three-month fellowship positions at the European Policy Centre, Brussels (between February and December 2026).
- A mobility grant of €2,500 per month to cover living expenses during the stay.
- Travel costs to and from Brussels at the start and end of the fellowship.
- An opportunity to pursue independent research and publish a policy-oriented paper.
- Integration into the EPC’s broader policy work and access to Brussels-based stakeholders.
- A workspace at the EPC office and support in producing a policy paper with practical recommendations.
- Opportunities for peer learning, networking, and long-term engagement beyond the fellowship.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are welcome from early- to mid-career researchers or professionals (minimum one year of experience) who:
- Work in think tanks, universities, or civil society organisations.
- Are residents and nationals of EU enlargement countries, especially from the Western Balkans, Turkey, or the Eastern Neighbourhood (see list below).
- Have a Master’s degree; backgrounds in political science, European studies, law, economics, or related fields are an asset.
- Demonstrate excellent written and spoken English.
- Show a strong interest in European affairs, enlargement policy, and related thematic areas such as climate, digital transformation, democracy, or foreign policy.
Eligible countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Note: Nationals temporarily residing outside these countries remain eligible.
Research Project Focus
Fellows will develop and publish a policy-focused research paper in Brussels that:
- Addresses an issue where EU policy and enlargement intersect.
- Is relevant to both the EU and the applicant’s home region.
- Provides practical recommendations for policymakers.
Preferred thematic areas include:
- Rule of Law & Democratic Resilience: Judicial independence, media freedom, and civic space in candidate countries.
- Green Deal & Climate Policy: Environmental alignment with the EU accession process.
- Digital Transformation & Data Governance: Digital rights, cybersecurity, and public infrastructure.
- Foreign Policy & Strategic Alignment: Enlargement amid global power shifts and regional security dynamics.
Fellowship Conditions
- The working language is English.
- Fellows must have the support of their current employer to participate.
- The fellowship is a mobility grant, not an employment contract or salary.
- The EPC encourages diverse applications and does not discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or any other status.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit the following as a single PDF to [email protected] by 4 December 2025:
- CV (max. 2 pages) and list of publications.
- Project proposal (max. 1,000 words) describing the intended research and its relevance.
- Motivation letter explaining your interest and suitability for the fellowship.
- Indicate your preferred fellowship period (3 months between February and December 2026) in your email.
Email subject and file name format:CEFE_FirstName_LastName
Applications not following this format will not be considered.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview.
About Connecting Europe
Connecting Europe is a project of the European Policy Centre (EPC) funded by Stiftung Mercator. Its mission is to connect civil society organisations with EU policymakers and to foster transnational European dialogue.
Established in 2017, Connecting Europe has grown into a network of over 65 organisations, including think tanks, NGOs, and academic institutes across Europe. Its thematic focus spans rule of law, democracy, enlargement, climate change, digital transformation, and foreign policy.
Under the motto “Thinking Enlarged,” the project particularly aims to involve civil society from EU candidate countries in ongoing policy debates in Brussels.
Official website: https://www.epc.eu/vacancies/connecting-europe-fellowship/
