The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union Cohesion Policy, and demonstrate the importance of the local and regional levels for good European governance. The event has become a European networking platform for experts in regional and local development. Exchange of good practice in economic development and social inclusion, cross-border cooperation, public-private partnerships, regional innovation and community-led local development have become some of its many topics. Over the years, the event has grown into the key event on regional policy in Europe. The week involves some 6,000 participants in October each year (local, regional, national and European decision-makers and experts) for more than 100 workshops and debates, exhibitions and networking.

As part of the 17th European Week of Regions and Cities, the biggest event worldwide on regional and urban development, the Master Class on EU Cohesion Policy will be held for PhD students and early-career researchers for the seventh 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 2019 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; and
• 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; and
• the broadest possible geographical and gender balance.

Please note that:

• early career applicants must be within 5 years of finishing their PhD on 1st May 2019 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:

1. The Future of the EU and the roles of the Regions and Cities #EUBudget #Cohesion #Post2020 #ERDF #Subsidiarity #Democracy #Demography #InternationalCompetition #Digitalization

1. A Europe Closer to Citizens #TerritorialCohesion #Cooperation #People #Places #Urban #Rural #LocalCommunities #Migration #AdministrativeCapacity

1. A Greener Europe #EnergyTransition #ClimateChangeAdaptation #CircularEconomy #RiskManagement #EuropeanSolidarityFund

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) submitted via the online form;
• a certificate (uploaded in a separate PDF or WORD document) submitted via the online form: proving the PhD student status; or proving early career status (PhD certificate);
• a portrait photo (uploaded in a separate file) submitted via the online form;
• an academic reference in support of your application must be sent separately by the referee; 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 the online form (Google form) – to access the form please go to “click here to register”.

The application deadline is 1st May 2019, (GMT) or (CET). Applications and references received after this date will not be accepted.