The European Policy Centre (EPC) is launching the Connecting Europe Fellowship, an exciting opportunity for young professionals from EU enlargement countries to contribute their perspectives to European policy debates. This initiative is part of the Connecting Europe’s Thinking Enlarged initiative, which aims to meaningfully involve candidate countries in discussions about the future of Europe.

The Opportunity

The fellowship offers two three-month positions in Brussels for researchers and policy professionals from the Western Balkans, Turkey, and the Eastern neighbourhood. Fellows will have the unique opportunity to pursue independent research while engaging directly with EU policymakers and stakeholders.

Fellowship Period: February to December 2026 (three-month placement)

What We Offer

Financial Support

• Monthly mobility grant of €2,500 to cover living expenses
• Full coverage of travel costs to and from Brussels

Professional Development

• Workspace at the EPC office in the heart of Brussels
• Integration into the EPC’s policy work on your chosen theme
• Direct access to Brussels-based stakeholders and decision-makers
• Support in developing and publishing a policy paper with practical recommendations

Research & Networking

• Freedom to pursue an independent research project
• Opportunities for peer learning and networking
• Sustained engagement beyond the fellowship period

Who Should Apply

We’re looking for early to mid-career professionals with:

• At least one year of experience working in think tanks, universities, or civil society organisations
• Residence and nationality of EU enlargement countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, or Ukraine)
• Strong interest in European affairs, enlargement policy, and related thematic areas
• Excellent written and spoken English
• A Master’s degree (backgrounds in political science, European studies, law, economics, or related fields are particularly valued)

Important: Applicants must have the support and commitment of their employing organisation to participate in the fellowship.

Your Research Project

During your fellowship, you’ll develop a policy-focused research paper that addresses issues where EU policy and enlargement intersect. Your project should be relevant to both the EU and your home region, offering practical insights for policymakers.

Priority Research Areas

We’re especially interested in projects focusing on:

Rule of Law and Democratic Resilience
Safeguarding judicial independence, media freedom, and civic space in candidate countries

Green Deal and Climate Policy
Aligning environmental goals and climate legislation with the accession process

Digital Transformation and Data Governance
Ensuring digital rights, cybersecurity, and digital public infrastructure across borders

Foreign Policy and Strategic Alignment
EU enlargement in the context of global power shifts and regional security

How to Apply

Submit the following documents in a single PDF file to cv@epc.eu by December 4, 2025:

1. Your CV (maximum 2 pages) and list of publications
2. Project proposal (maximum 1,000 words) outlining your research and its relevance
3. Letter of motivation explaining your interest and background
4. Preferred fellowship period (3 months within February-December 2026) – mention this in your email

Important Formatting: Your application documents and email subject line must follow this format: CEFE_FirstName_LastName. Applications without this specification will not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview.

About the Program

The Connecting Europe Fellowship is awarded as a mobility grant for independent research. It does not constitute an employment contract or employer-employee relationship between the fellow and the European Policy Centre.

The EPC is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity. We particularly encourage applications from groups underrepresented in Brussels think tanks and European policy-making.

About Connecting Europe

Connecting Europe is a project at the European Policy Centre funded by Stiftung Mercator. Since its establishment in 2017, it has grown into a network of over 65 organisations including research institutes, NGOs, think tanks, and fellowship programmes working across Europe.

The project connects civil society organisations with EU decision-makers and works to transnationalise EU policy debates, covering topics including rule of law and democracy, enlargement, climate change, digital transformation, and EU foreign policy.

Ready to bring your voice to Brussels?
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming new perspectives into Europe’s policy debates.

The EPC can support candidates with visa applications where applicable.

For more information please visit their website here

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