Winter School on Federalism and Governance 2027: Federalism and the Changing World Order, by Eurac Research and University of Innsbruck [Innsbruck and Bolzano; 1-12 February 2027]

The Winter School on Federalism and Governance is a shared cross-border project of the Eurac Research Institute for Comparative Federalism (Bolzano/Bozen, Italy) and the Faculty of Law and the Department of Political Science of the University of Innsbruck (Austria). Since its first edition in 2010 it has taken place under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

It is an international postgraduate programme that analyses federalism, regionalism and multilevel governance from legal and political science perspectives. Each edition focuses on a specific topic, approached in detail by legal scholars, political scientists and practitioners. The programme is held entirely in English.

From 1 to 12 February 2027 participants will analyse the role that federalism and multilevel governance can play in a changing world order. Lectures will cover constitutional resilience in multilevel systems, federalism and collective security alliances, democratic backsliding and authoritarian tendencies, and the impact of global crises and geopolitical power shifts on federal governance, including whether transnational crises shift the distribution of powers between central governments and constituent states.

Case studies include the power-sharing structure of the European Union and examples from Africa, Asia, North America and the post-Soviet space. Participants will also discuss asymmetric federalism, fiscal federalism and natural resources, minority rights and AI, peacebuilding and digitalisation. Among the questions the programme will examine:

• To what extent do federal systems come under pressure in times of geopolitical uncertainty?
• Does the international order require federal principles to remain stable in the long term?
• To what extent do geopolitical conflicts promote centralisation in multilevel systems?
• What tensions arise between global governance and federal sovereignty?
• Can federalism contribute to stabilising a fragmented world order?

The first week (1-5 February 2027) is held in Innsbruck and the second week (8-12 February 2027) in Bolzano/Bozen, with a bus transfer from Innsbruck to Bolzano/Bozen at the end of week 1. The format combines lectures by distinguished academics, discussions and workshops with experts, a simulation game, a round table, students' presentations, and study visits to political institutions, including a visit to the South Tyrolean Parliament with a discussion with Provincial Councillors. The programme closes on 12 February 2027 with a conclusion and diploma ceremony.

The Winter School is held in person only; there is no possibility to attend online, and participants cannot attend only one week of the programme.

The postgraduate programme welcomes an international audience: young researchers and academics, post-docs and postgraduate students, civil servants from a local, regional or national government, and employees of international organisations or NGOs.

Applications are accepted only through the online application form; completed versions of the preview PDF are not considered, and no additional documents are required. Only complete forms are taken into consideration. The form asks for:

• personal data;
• relevant academic and professional education;
• work experience (if applicable);
• a statement of motivation (max. 1,500 characters including spaces);
• a short academic essay (max. 500 words / 3,500 characters including spaces) answering one of the two questions linked to the workshop the applicant chooses.

The four workshop topics for 2027 are: (A) Natural Resources and Fiscal Federalism; (B) Artificial Intelligence (AI), Minority Rights and Multilevel Governance; (C) Constitutional Resilience; and (D) Conflict Prevention, Peace Building and Mediation. Without the essay the application cannot be considered. The organisers advise reading the application preview and preparing the essay in advance, then completing the entire form in one session.

• Participation fee only: EUR 300 for the two weeks, excluding accommodation (participants arrange their own lodging in both cities).
• Twin room through the organisers: EUR 962 for 13 nights with breakfast, i.e. EUR 1,262 including the participation fee.
• Single room through the organisers: EUR 1,170 for 13 nights with breakfast, i.e. EUR 1,470 including the participation fee.

The participation fee covers course materials, guided tours in Innsbruck and Bolzano/Bozen, the bus transfer from Innsbruck to Bolzano/Bozen, welcome coffee, welcome lunch and dinner, and library and internet access at both venues. It does not cover accommodation, other meals, travel or other expenses. Rooms are allotted first come, first served on enrolment, and the fee is paid on enrolment in December 2026.

The organisers will award a limited number of scholarships based on merit and need, with preference for students and applicants from non-European countries:

• Full scholarships (max. 2): accommodation in a shared 3-bed room for 13 nights with breakfast, plus a small contribution towards travel expenses (refunded after the Winter School).
• Partial scholarships (max. 3): accommodation in a shared 3-bed room in Innsbruck and Bolzano/Bozen for 13 nights with breakfast.

Scholarship holders still pay a participation fee of EUR 150 on enrolment. Scholarships will be awarded after all applications have been processed, by the end of November 2026.

Complete applications receive an e-mail confirmation within 5 working days of submission. Applicants will be notified in early December 2026, and the enrolment procedure, including payment of the fee, must be completed within 7 working days of the invitation to participate.

Participants are responsible for obtaining a visa on time and for all visa expenses; no exceptions to the cancellation policy are made for visa denial. If needed, the organisers can provide a letter of support for the visa process.

• Cancellation after 30 December 2026: the participation fee is refunded minus 10% and incurred costs.
• Cancellation after 10 January 2027: 50% of the participation fee is refunded minus incurred costs.
• Cancellation after 25 January 2027: no refund.
• No accommodation costs can be refunded after Friday 18 December 2026.

The policy also applies to scholarship holders.