A fully funded PhD programme for those ready to publish from day one.
Study programme: Economic Policy and Public Administration
Pursue a doctoral degree with European Research University (ERUNI) within an individualised, research-intensive environment designed for candidates who aim to produce internationally competitive work from the very beginning.
Work with international supervisors, access a European research network, and follow a structured path towards publication — with full financial support up to EUR 250,000 in total for three years.
Funding & financial conditions.
- Monthly stipend: EUR 4,000 (≈ CZK 100,000)
- Doctoral research grant (Foundation FOR THE FUTURE): funding for your dissertation (up to EUR 80,000 for 3 years)
- Full support for international conferences, summer schools, workshops, etc. (up to EUR 8,000 per year)
- Performance-based rewards for high-quality publications
The financial structure is designed to remove barriers and enable selected candidates to focus fully on research, academic development, and publication.
This special offer provided through the Foundation applies only to applications submitted by 31 August 2026.
Meet your doctoral supervisors.
Individual supervision within an international research community.
Doctoral research fellows are supervised by ERUNI academics together with a selected group of international doctoral supervisors affiliated with the programme. These internationally recognised scholars hold academic appointments at leading universities and research institutions and contribute to the programme through doctoral supervision, research topic development, academic mentoring and participation in the selection of prospective doctoral candidates. Rather than relying on a single academic perspective, fellows become part of a collaborative research environment built around close academic mentorship, active research and international collaboration. From the beginning of the programme, fellows are integrated into ongoing research projects and work alongside experienced researchers on topics with the potential to contribute to international scholarship and public policy. The programme is embedded within the European Research College (ERC), ERUNI's decentralised research network spanning Prague, London, Amsterdam and Rome. This provides opportunities for international collaboration, research mobility and participation in a wider academic community.
Unlike large doctoral programmes, supervision is based on selective admissions, close research-focused collaboration and regular interaction with supervisors throughout the doctoral journey. Applicants are encouraged to identify one or more prospective supervisors whose research interests align closely with their proposed doctoral project. Applicants may indicate their preferred supervisor(s) in their application. Final supervisory arrangements are agreed following admission and depend on the project's research focus, supervisory capacity and the availability of suitable supervisors.
Supervisor Profiles.
Constantine Yannelis
University of Cambridge
Professor of Financial Economics
Deputy Director of Janeway Institute
Research interests
Financial economics • Household finance • Human capital • Corporate finance • Student loans • Credit markets • Public policy • Artificial intelligence and finance
Constantine Yannelis is Janeway Professor of Financial Economics at the University of Cambridge. His research examines household finance, human capital, credit markets and the interaction between financial markets and public policy. He has mentored doctoral researchers at the University of Cambridge, the University of Chicago and New York University, whose graduates have gone on to successful academic and public-sector careers.
Applicants may wish to work with Professor Yannelis if their proposed research relates to:
- Human capital, household behaviour and financial markets
- Government intervention and the functioning of credit markets
- Financial regulation and public policy
- Artificial intelligence and the future of finance
Slavo Radošević
University College London
Professor of Industry and Innovation Studies
Research interests
Innovation systems • Industrial policy • Technological change • Economic development • Post-socialist transition economies • Central and Eastern Europe • Comparative political economy
Slavo Radošević is Professor of Industry and Innovation Studies at University College London. His research focuses on science, technology, industrial policy and innovation systems, with particular emphasis on the long-term economic transformation of post-socialist and transition economies. He has supervised 12 doctoral candidates to successful completion and has extensive experience mentoring doctoral researchers working on innovation-led development and institutional change.
Applicants may wish to work with Professor Radošević if their proposed research relates to:
- Innovation systems and economic transformation in transition economies
- Innovation policy, institutional capacity and productivity
- Industrial upgrading and technological change
- Entrepreneurial regimes and comparative institutional advantage
Peter Newell
University of Sussex
Professor of International Relations
Research interests
International relations • Political economy • Environment and development • Climate governance • Energy transitions • Corporate accountability • Trade policy • Fossil fuel phase-out
Peter Newell is Professor of International Relations at the University of Sussex. His research focuses primarily on the political economy of the energy transition and climate governance. He has supervised 11 doctoral students to successful completion and currently supervises a further five doctoral researchers. He has also supported doctoral and postdoctoral researchers through major externally funded research projects, including a European Research Council grant and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Applicants may wish to work with Professor Newell if their proposed research relates to:
- Just transitions beyond fossil fuels
- Climate governance and energy transitions
- Geopolitics of energy transition and policy risk
- State-market governance of economic transformation
Marco Grasso
University of Milano-Bicocca
Professor of Political Geography
Research interests
Political geography • Climate governance • Climate politics • Sustainability transitions • Climate justice • Artificial intelligence governance • Geopolitics
Marco Grasso is Professor of Political Geography at the University of Milano-Bicocca. His research focuses on the political feasibility of structural change, climate governance, sustainability transitions, public policy and the governance of emerging technologies. His work explores the political, ethical and institutional dimensions of climate action and examines how governments can respond effectively to complex global challenges. He has supervised 11 doctoral candidates to successful completion in the fields of climate governance, environmental policy, sustainability transitions and climate ethics. His former doctoral researchers have gone on to academic careers at universities and international research institutions, as well as policy and advisory positions in international organisations, government and the private sector. Their research has been published in leading journals, including Global Environmental Change, Environmental Politics, Climatic Change, Energy Research & Social Science and Sustainability Science. Professor Grasso also serves as an external PhD examiner at universities across Europe and Australia and is a member of the PhD Board in Urban Studies (URBEUR) at the University of Milano-Bicocca.
Applicants may wish to work with Professor Grasso if their proposed research relates to:
- Climate policy and the fossil fuel transition
- AI regulation and governance
- Geopolitics of energy and resources
- Power, markets and resistance to change
Find the right academic match.
Our supervisors offer complementary expertise across the principal research areas within Economic Policy & Public Administration. Many doctoral projects naturally span multiple fields and may therefore benefit from interdisciplinary supervision.
Innovation Systems, Industrial Policy & Productivity
Slavo Radošević
Household Finance, Financial Markets & Human Capital
Constantine Yannelis
Public Finance, Financial Regulation & Public Policy
Constantine Yannelis
Governance, Public Administration & Institutional Development
Slavo Radošević • Marco Grasso • Peter Newell
Climate Governance & Just Transitions
Marco Grasso • Peter Newell
Artificial Intelligence, Technological Transformation & Governance
Constantine Yannelis • Marco Grasso • Slavo Radošević
Trade, Geopolitics & Policy Risk
Marco Grasso • Peter Newell
Publication strategy.
A clearly defined publication trajectory is an integral part of the fellowship.
Doctoral fellows:
- co-author research outputs with senior researchers,
- develop independent research under close supervision,
- receive continuous mentoring in academic writing and journal submission,
- participate in internal research seminars, peer review, and regular progress evaluations.
The programme is designed to support the production of publishable, internationally competitive research during the doctoral study.
Research focus & teaching.
The fellowship prioritises research.
Doctoral fellows are not required to undertake teaching duties, allowing sustained focus on research and publication — particularly in the early stages of the programme.
Teaching is available as an optional pathway for those who wish to develop academic teaching experience.
Students who choose to teach first complete an intensive pedagogical training programme, ensuring high-quality, research-informed teaching.
We actively protect your research time.
Future opportunities.
The fellowship is conceived as the beginning of a longer-term academic pathway.
Outstanding doctoral fellows may continue their collaboration with European Research University (ERUNI) through:
- participation in internal research calls and grant competitions,
- continued involvement in European Research College (ERC) projects,
- opportunities for postdoctoral or research positions,
- support in developing independent research proposals and grant applications.
Supervisors and doctoral fellows are encouraged to develop joint research agendas that extend beyond the doctoral project.
Admission Process.
Selective, research-based evaluation
Admission is competitive and centred on academic excellence and research potential.
Stage 1
- CV
- Motivation letter or video
- Research proposal (required)
Stage 2
- Academic interview
- Discussion and critical evaluation of the research proposal
Only a limited number of candidates will be admitted.
Ideal candidate profile
We are seeking candidates ready to engage in serious research from the outset.
This fellowship is intended for candidates who aim to pursue an academic or research career at an international level.
The ideal candidate:
- demonstrates strong academic performance and research orientation,
- is able to formulate and defend a well-developed research proposal,
- shows intellectual independence, analytical rigour, and critical thinking,
- is motivated to contribute to internationally relevant academic work,
- is prepared to actively engage in collaboration and academic exchange.
For academic supervisors
The fellowship is also designed to attract and support academically active supervisors.
Supervisors retain a high degree of flexibility in shaping research directions and developing long-term research agendas.
Supervisors at European Research University (ERUNI) benefit from:
- collaboration with a small number of carefully selected, highly motivated doctoral fellows,
- early involvement in candidate selection,
- integration of doctoral fellows into ongoing research projects,
- a structure that prioritises research output over administrative burden,
- access to an international research network through the European Research College (ERC).
Apply and build your international research career
Study locations & facilities.
A focused environment for serious research
Doctoral fellows are provided with an individual workspace, ensuring suitable conditions for sustained research and academic work.
The programme is delivered across ERUNI locations, with a limited number of fellows based in Prague (typically 2–3) and in Ostrava (typically 1–2).
Entrance examinations and core academic requirements, including key elements of doctoral training, are conducted in Ostrava.
This structure allows for a small, selective cohort while maintaining a consistent academic framework.
Important information
This fellowship offer applies exclusively to the extraordinary (second) round of the admission procedure for the academic year 2026/2027.
Applicants from previous admission rounds are assessed under the conditions applicable at the time of their application.
These conditions apply to applications submitted from 1 May 2026 onwards.