Theme: Contested Futures: Democratic, Technological and Ecological Transformations in the Western Balkans
Deadline: 30 September 2026
The Regional Network of Centers for Advanced Studies in Southeast Europe (RECAS) invites early-career researchers to apply for the 2026 RECAS Fellowship. The programme supports innovative, regionally grounded research exploring how competing visions of democratic, technological and ecological futures are emerging and being contested across the Western Balkans.
What is the fellowship about?
This year’s fellowship focuses on the competing visions of the future emerging around democracy, technological transformation and ecological transition. Against the backdrop of democratic backsliding, rapid developments in artificial intelligence, environmental pressures, geopolitical change and uneven European integration, different actors are advancing different ideas of modernization, development, democracy and sustainability.
Under the theme Contested Futures, fellows are invited to examine who defines desirable futures, whose interests transformations serve, who bears their costs, and what alternative futures remain possible.
Thematic focus areas
The programme foregrounds three interconnected thematic pillars:
Technological Futures
How are artificial intelligence, digital infrastructures and emerging technologies reshaping economic development, governance, security and everyday life? Research may explore AI governance, data sovereignty, platform power, digital infrastructure, algorithmic decision-making and technological competitiveness.
Democratic Futures in the Age of AI
How is technological transformation changing democratic institutions, political participation and relations between citizens and public authorities? Possible topics include democratic resilience, digital governance, algorithmic accountability, civic agency, public trust and institutional innovation.
Ecological Futures in the Age of Technological Transformation
How does technological change intersect with ecological transition, resource governance and competing models of development? Research may address just transition, energy systems, critical raw materials, climate adaptation, environmental governance and the political economy of green transformation.
Across all three areas, fellows are encouraged to consider how these transformations interact with the Western Balkans’ evolving relationship with Europe and the process of European integration.
Fellowship at a glance
Duration: 3–6 months (starting mid-November 2026)
Monthly stipend: €1,500 net
Location: Hosted in Belgrade or Rijeka; regional collaboration across RECAS partner centres
Eligibility: PhD holders or advanced PhD candidates; fluent in English; humanities, social sciences and arts; priority for applicants working on Southeast Europe
What fellows do:
- Conduct research on contested democratic, technological or ecological futures;
- Join a one-week Surgery Week at Moise Palace on Cres Island;
- Develop research-based ideas through thematic Policy Hackathons;
- Exchange knowledge through the CAS Online Seminar series and other programme activities;
- Present their research at regional and EU-level events.
Outputs: Research essay or brief; contribution to a Policy Hackathon and the Academic Policy Lab; public presentation of research findings
Learn more → [HERE]
Apply → [HERE]
Deadline: 30 September 2026
Funded by: Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans & ERSTE Foundation