Do you want to do a PhD on how universities work and how education systems are governed? Central European University has opened applications for the Yehuda Elkana Fellowship 2027. It gives a tuition waiver for up to four years and a monthly stipend to doctoral candidates who study higher education policy.
The deadline is 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET. One rule in the application can decide the result. Your statement of purpose must start with a fixed sentence. You will find it below.
Last Information Checked: 19 October 2026
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
| Host | Central European University (CEU) |
| Fellowship | Yehuda Elkana Fellowship |
| Study level | Doctoral degree (PhD) |
| Research focus | Higher education policy |
| Length | 48 months (generally four years) |
| Funding | Full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend |
| Monthly stipend | 2002 euros gross according to the current announcement |
| Location | Austria |
| Deadline | 15 January 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time |
What the Fellowship Is
The Yehuda Elkana Fellowship supports scholars who are admitted to an eligible CEU doctoral programme. Their research must connect to higher education policy. This is a broad topic. It can cover higher education institutions and systems. It can cover governance and access. It can also cover teaching and learning or other related policy questions.
The fellowship suits researchers who care about education policy and the growth of institutions. It also suits people who like interdisciplinary ways of looking at social problems.
Fellowship Benefits
- Tuition waiver: Your tuition is waived for 48 months
- Monthly stipend: The current amount is 2002 euros gross each month
- Academic events like Guest lectures and other events organised
- Networking with other scholars and experts
- Research support
- Professional growth through training and activities
- A research platform
Eligible Doctoral Programmes
You can study higher education policy through several CEU doctoral programmes. These include:
- Doctoral School of Political Science Public Policy and International Relations
- Doctoral programmes in Legal Studies
- Sociology
- History
- Gender Studies
- Data and Network Science
Other CEU doctoral programmes may also fit. Ask the department of your choice if the programme is right for your topic.
Who Should Apply
This fellowship is for outstanding prospective doctoral researchers who are interested in higher education policy. You should be able to show:
- A clear research interest
- A well defined doctoral topic
- The academic preparation your chosen programme asks for
- A strong link between your topic and the doctoral programme you pick
You must send a regular application to a specific CEU doctoral programme. You must also include a research proposal about a higher education policy topic.
What the Announcement Does Not Say
The announcement does not give a separate nationality rule. It does not give an age limit. It also does not list detailed academic rules for the fellowship. So read the admission requirements of your doctoral programme. Ask CEU if you are not sure about any extra condition.
The stipend is gross. That means taxes or other deductions may apply. Look at CEU’s official financial information for living costs and other expenses.
Documents You Need
Each doctoral programme sets its own list. You may need:
- Academic transcripts and qualifications
- A curriculum vitae
- Recommendation letters
- A statement of purpose
- A research proposal
Two instructions apply to every applicant.
- Send a regular CEU application for a specific doctoral programme.
- Include a research proposal that relates to higher education policy.
Your statement of purpose must begin with this exact sentence:
Please consider this application for the Yehuda Elkana Fellowship.
How To Apply
- Review the CEU doctoral programmes and pick one that fits your background and interests.
- Develop a research proposal about higher education policy or a closely related topic.
- Prepare the academic documents your programme asks for.
- Write your statement of purpose. Start it with the fixed sentence above.
- Submit the regular CEU doctoral application before 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.
- Contact the Admissions Office or the department if you need help.
You will be considered for the Yehuda Elkana Fellowship and the regular CEU Doctoral Fellowship at the same time. The announcement says both have identical terms. CEU doctoral programmes may also recommend applications for the fellowship.
How To Make Your Application Stronger
- Ask one focused research question
- Explain why your study matters for higher education policy
- Show how your project helps us understand institutions systems or policy
- Link your interests to the doctoral programme you picked
- Write a realistic research plan
- Show strong academic preparation
- Organise your statement of purpose well
- Follow every fellowship instruction including the opening sentence
Key Dates
- Now: Start your research proposal and choose a doctoral programme
- 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET: Application deadline