The European Central Bank (ECB) Legal Research Programme is seeking applications from young researchers for four legal research scholarships. Each scholarship is endowed with a grant of 10,000 euros. The due date is February 15, 2016.
Applicants who are awarded a scholarship will be required to write a research paper during 2016 on one of the following research topics:
1) Cross-sectoral and cross-border issues related to effective resolution of financial institutions in the Union.
2) Creditor ranking in insolvency: possible approaches and obstacles to harmonisation.
3) Collateral arrangements in the Union: current state and the way forward.
4) New transparency demands applicable to central banks.
The Scholarship will be available to those Scholars who complete, by no later than 1 December 2016, all phases of the Legal Research Programme:
PHASE 1 – SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION: Applications must be submitted in English and include the applicant’s curriculum vitae and a proposal for one of the research topics described above. The proposal must consist of: (i) a statement of issues to be addressed; (ii) the proposed methodology; (iii) an analysis of the originality and significance of the proposed research paper in view of the existing academic literature; and (iv) a discussion of the feasibility for completion of the research project by November 2016. Proposals should be no longer than 1 500 words (not including charts, graphs, or bibliography). Applications should be sent by e-mail to: legaladviceteam@ecb.europa.eu no later than 15 February 2016. The ECB will notify the Scholars of the acceptance of their proposal for a research paper by 15 March 2016.
PHASE 2 – PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL: The selected Scholars will be invited in a seminar to be held at the ECB in spring 2016, to present their proposal against the background of their previous research in the relevant field. Such seminar is intended to establish a fruitful relationship between the ECB Legal Services and the Scholars, and to provide them with constructive feedback on the research subject from practitioners in the field.
PHASE 3 – SUBMISSION OF THE FIRST DRAFT: The Scholar must submit a first draft of his or her research paper to the ECB by 15 July 2016, and must immediately inform the ECB if there is a risk of not meeting that deadline. The ECB will review and referee the research paper by 30 September 2016.
PHASE 4 – SUBMISSION OF THE SECOND DRAFT: The Scholar will take the remarks and suggestions of the ECB’s report into consideration and complete the research paper by 30 November 2016.
PHASE 5 – COMPLETION OF THE FINAL DRAFT AND PUBLICATION: The research paper must be eligible and available to be posted on the ECB’s website and will be considered for publication in the ECB Legal Working Paper Series. Without prejudice to the prior publication in the ECB Legal Working Paper Series, Scholars are expected to seek publication of the research paper in a reputable academic journal, when necessary or appropriate following revision of the research paper.
