European Cultural Foundation (ECF) Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) Fellowships

The European Cultural Foundation (ECF) is an independent, non-governmental organisation established in 1954 with the purpose of promoting cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation in Europe. Founded in the context of post-war European reconstruction by a group of leading European intellectuals and political figures, the Foundation sought to strengthen mutual understanding among European peoples through culture, education, and transnational collaboration.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has pursued its objectives through grant-making, research, policy development, networking, advocacy, and the organisation of cultural and educational programmes. Its activities have been guided by the promotion of European cultural cooperation, support for democratic participation, and the encouragement of dialogue across national, political, and cultural boundaries.

This legacy is now preserved at the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) in Florence, alongside records of the European Union’s main institutions—recognising the Foundation’s key role in the European integration process.

Award

To encourage engagement with its historical archives held at the HAEU, the ECF offers the Academic Research Fellowship, which includes a grant of €5,000 to support a research stay at the HAEU, including travel, accommodation, and living expenses.

Projects should provide a critical and well-contextualised analysis of an aspect of ECF’s history, networks, programmes, or broader contribution to cultural and intellectual cooperation in Europe. Projects must be centred on the European Cultural Foundation archives and make substantial use of the collection.

It is open to researchers in European studies, cultural studies, history, and related fields in the humanities and social sciences, including:

• PhD and postdoctoral researchers
• Early-career researchers within ten years of completing a master’s or doctoral degree
• Independent scholars with an active research profile