The European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) is the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to regional policy. It has grown to become a unique communication and networking platform, bringing together regions and cities from all over Europe, including politicians, administrators, experts and academics. Over the last 17 years, it has done much to promote policy learning and the exchange of good practice. In 2019, the #EURegionsWeek reached a record high of more than 9000 participants and more than 330 sessions – proof of the event's relevance and potential as a platform for discussing and showcasing the development of EU cohesion policy and making decision-makers more aware of the importance of regions and cities in EU policy-making. More info: 

As part of the 18th European Week of Regions and Cities, the Master Class on EU Cohesion Policy will be held for PhD students and early-career researchers for the eighth time. Applications are being sought from PhD students and early career researchers (defined as being within five years of the date on their PhD certificate or equivalent) undertaking research related to European Cohesion Policy to attend the 2020 University Master Class.

The Master Class is a unique format to connect aspiring researchers and will include presentations of papers by the participants as well as lectures and panel debates with policymakers, EU officials and senior academics from throughout Europe to improve understanding of, and research, on EU Cohesion Policy. In particular, the Master Class will serve to:

• discuss recent research on European regional and urban development and EU Cohesion Policy;
• enable PhD students and early career researchers to exchange views and network with policymakers, EU officials and senior European academics;
• raise awareness and understanding of the research potential in the field of EU Cohesion Policy.

The Master Class is organised and led by the European Commission, DG for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), the European Committee of the Regions (CoR)  and the Regional Studies Association European Foundation (RSA Europe) in cooperation with the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) and the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP). A selection panel composed of these organisations will be responsible for reviewing the applications and selecting participants.

PARTICIPANTS
30 attendees from EU Member States and non-EU countries will be invited to attend the Master Class based on:

• their academic background and achievements;
• the quality of their application and the paper abstract they submit;
• the broadest possible geographical and gender balance.

Please note that:

• early career applicants must be within 5 years of finishing their PhD on 4th May 2020 or demonstrate equivalent experience;
• candidates who have participated in a previous edition of the Master Class are not eligible to apply;
• only one application per person will be considered;
• the organisers will cover and arrange travel and accommodation of all selected participants;
• there is no fee to attend the Master Class;
• applicants do not need to be members of the learned societies involved in the Master Class;
• participants must attend the full programme and engage actively in all aspects of the Master Class. If participants who fail to attend the full Master Class, they must reimburse costs for travel and accommodation paid and no certificate will be given.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must complete the application form and include an abstract that falls under one of the following three broad themes:

• Green Europe
• Cohesion and Cooperation
• Empowering Citizens

Application documents to be submitted comprise:

• the completed application form (see application form under related documents- top right-hand side) your CV combined in one document (WORD or PDF)
• a certificate (uploaded in a separate PDF or WORD document)
  • proving the PhD student status; or
  • proving early career status (PhD certificate);
• a portrait photo
• an academic reference in support of your application must be sent separately by the referee to Klara Sobekova at office@ and be received by the closing date.

Interested current PhD students and early career researchers are requested to submit their details and the application documents via email to office@

The application deadline is 4th May 2020,  (GMT) or (CET). 

Applications and references received after this date will not be accepted.