The new scholarship concept

For the last three years the ECB has been running a scholarship aimed at women pursuing a postgraduate degree in economics. After reviewing the Women in Economics Scholarship, we decided to broaden its scope and size to encompass the core activities of central banking and banking supervision. The objective is to promote the pursuit of graduate studies not only in the field of economics but also in statistics, engineering and computing.

While in previous years we were looking to select five scholars, this year we will be offering scholarships to 15 women. Each scholar will receive a €10,000 grant to fund their master’s studies in one of the following fields:

• Economics
• Statistics
• Engineering
• Computing

A list of examples relevant fields of study can be found here.

Why do we offer this scholarship?

Through this initiative, the ECB aspires to change the lives of the women selected for a scholarship for the better by supporting their education and positively improving their career prospects, both in general and in the areas of central banking and banking supervision.

The scholarship is specifically designed to help female scholars from low-income backgrounds in the EU to pursue postgraduate studies.

Eligibility criteria

• You are a woman.
• You are a citizen of an EU Member State.
• You are currently enrolled, or are about to enrol, in a master’s course in economics, statistics, engineering or computing at a European university or business school.
• You are facing a funding gap that may prevent you from pursuing your studies.
• You have completed an undergraduate degree at an EU academic institution with excellent grades (i.e. for your bachelor’s degree) (corresponding grades for a range of countries are outlined here).

The ECB is an inclusive employer that strives to represent the diversity of the population it serves. We aim to reflect the same inclusivity with this scholarship and to represent the diversity of women in the EU. We encourage women to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.

What’s in it for you?

• A grant of €10,000
• A study visit to the ECB (this may take place virtually, depending on coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions at the time)
• Insight into the ECB’s central banking and banking supervision functions
• The opportunity to meet your fellow scholars and the ECB Women in Leadership network
• Advice and mentoring from an ECB economist or expert in the field of banking supervision, statistics, engineering or information technology

Application process

How it works

Once applications are open, you will be able to apply via this page.

As part of your application, you will need to:

• explain the motivation behind your studies and detail your career aspirations;
• outline your current funding situation.

Supporting documents

Together with your application, you will need to submit the following:

• proof of (preliminary) acceptance onto a master’s course in one of the relevant fields of study for the coming academic year (i.e. if you are applying for the 2022-23 scholarship, you need to prove acceptance onto a master’s course for the 2022-23 academic year);
• official transcripts of your undergraduate qualifications, your academic record and, if applicable, evidence of your highest level of completed studies;
• proof of household income/financial need.

Timing and selection process

• Applications for the 2022-23 academic year will open on 4 May 2022 and will remain open until 25 May 2022.
• We plan to hold online interviews in June 2022 and to inform the successful candidates by July 2022.

Any questions?

Not sure if you are eligible? Don’t know if your master’s programme qualifies? Get in touch by writing to ECBWomenScholarship@ecb.europa.eu

Please also read the terms and conditions of the scholarship carefully before applying.