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Call for Applications:
ENGAGE.EU PhD & Early Career Scholars Seminar 2026

Who can apply? This event is open to all PhD and Early-Career Researchers who are members of ENGAGE.EU partner universities

Topic: Constitutional Jurisprudence as a Core National and European Legal Paradigm

Dates: 21-22 May 2026

Location: Tilburg

Application deadline: 1 February 2026

Description

The ENGAGE.EU PhD & Early Career Scholars Seminar is dedicated to the subject of “Constitutional Jurisprudence as a Core National and European Legal Paradigm”. Courts are often central actors in protecting constitutionalism, be it in democracies based on the rule of law or in the European multilevel legal framework. However, there are also discussions whether in some instances (constitutional) courts have used their competences to become (too) powerful political actors.

Given the importance of constitutional jurisprudence, we invite proposals from PhD Researchers and Early Career Scholars dealing with relevant legal, comparative and theoretical aspects of courts and constitutionalism in the European space. Possible aspects include:

  • reform proposals regarding constitutional review,
  • courts and questions of constitutional identity,
  • the tension between political and legal constitutionalism in protecting fundamental rights,
  • questions regarding the organisation and legal consequences of constitutional review,
  • the debate regarding the dialogue between national constitutional courts and the CJEU and ECtHR,
  • as well as the dialogue between these regional/supranational courts.

In dealing with such topics, the seminar invites proposals that critically reflect on the core paradigmatic role of constitutional jurisprudence in the European legal space.

Jointly organised by

Dr. Cristina Fasone (Luiss University)

Prof. Aurore Gaillet (University Toulouse Capitole)

Prof. Christoph Grabenwarter (WU Vienna)

Prof. Ralf Müller-Terpitz (University of Mannheim)

Prof. Giovanni Piccirilli (Luiss University)

Prof. Monika Polzin, LL.M. (NYU) (WU Vienna)

Dr. Gerhard van der Schyff (Tilburg University – host institution)

Application

The Seminar will take place on 21 and 22 May 2026 at Tilburg University, The Netherlands. Every presentation will be commented upon by one of the organisers or another specialist.

Interested applicants should send a short abstract (not more than 500 words, including your name and explaining if you are a PhD Researcher or Early Career Scholar) to Gerhard van der Schyff g.vdrschyff@tilburguniversity.edu until 1 February 2026.

Successful applicants will be informed by 16 February 2026. The maximum number of symposium participants is 12.

An introductory meeting will be held online in March 2026 to discuss any questions by the participants.

Participants are strongly encouraged to submit a working/draft paper (maximum 7500 words – incl. footnotes) to benefit the discussion and for the possible purpose of writing a publishable piece. The organisers are willing to support possible publication projects.

Funding

Participation is free of charge. The organisers are not able to provide funding for travel and accommodation. Accepted participants can explore the funding possibilities provided by their institutions, such as the Erasmus Mobility programme where applicable.