Are you an early-career scholar or practitioner passionate about democracy and the rule of law in Europe? The re:constitution Fellowship 2025/26 is now open for applications, offering a unique opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary exchange, conduct research, and become part of a prestigious European alumni network.
About the re:constitution Fellowship
The Fellowship is designed to strengthen democratic principles and the rule of law across Europe by promoting academic and professional mobility. Since 2019, this program has supported scholars and practitioners in exploring crucial topics related to democracy, fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of €2,500 during their mobility period and will participate in exchange meetings with leading experts.
Fellowship Tracks
To accommodate different professional requirements, the program offers two (02) tracks:
Track 1: Full-Time Fellowship (10 Fellowships Available)
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- Open to scholars and practitioners.
- 6-month mobility period between October 2025 and July 2026.
- Research stays at two host institutions (one academic, one practical institution) in different countries.
- Mandatory participation in three Fellows’ Exchange Meetings:
- September 2025 (in-person, Berlin)
- February 2026 (online)
- June 2026 (in-person, outside Germany)
- Presentation of research in the Online Fellow Talks series.
Track 2: Shorter Mobility Period (5 Fellowships Available – Practitioners Only)
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- Designed exclusively for practitioners.
- 3-month full-time or 6-month part-time mobility period between October 2025 and July 2026.
- Research stay at one host institution in a different country.
- Participation in at least two out of three Fellows’ Exchange Meetings.
- Presentation of research in the Online Fellow Talks series (optional but encouraged).
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be residents of the European Union, non-EU EEA countries, EU candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine), Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. Citizenship is not required. Eligible applicants include:
Scholars (Track 1):
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- PhD holders or near-completion PhD candidates in law, political science, social sciences, philosophy, or related disciplines.
- PhD must have been completed within the last 10 years (or be near completion).
Practitioners (Track 1 & 2):
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- Government officials (policy advisors, legal experts, local self-government bodies).
- Judges, magistrates, prosecutors, attorneys, law clerks.
- NGO/think tank professionals focusing on democracy and rule of law.
- Journalists covering democracy and legal issues.
- Researchers and legal experts in democracy-related fields.
The last date to apply for this Re:constitution fellowship is April 3, 2025 and applications will be reviewed by an expert committee of scholars and practitioners in democracy and rule of law. Selected applicants will be notified by early July 2025.