This five-day programme adopts a problem-oriented approach designed to foster critical engagement for junior to mid-career professionals working in the field. Through a combination of expert-led sessions, discussions, and case study work, participants will discuss the ethical and policy dilemmas arising at the intersection of migration control, labour market pressures, and the protection of fundamental rights for people on the move. Specific attention will be paid to issues of fairness, safety, rights, and protection.

Participants will benefit from access to the European University Institute’s world-class research facilities, including its renowned Library, while networking with a diverse group of peers and professionals from around the world: postgraduate researchers, civil servants, international organisation officials, NGO and civil society representatives, journalists, policy analysts, and private sector experts.

The Winter Academy will address a wide range of key themes at the intersection of migration, labour markets, and governance, including the following:

• Governance and regulation of labour migration and migrant labour markets;
• The role of migrants in meeting skills and labour shortages;
• The role of institutions (e.g. labour market regulations, welfare regimes) and key labour marker actors (including employers, trade unions, recruitment/employment agencies, and civil society) in shaping migrant labour markets;
• Labour market access and integration of refugees and other migrant groups not initially admitted for employment;
• Labour rights, protections, and access to justice for migrants, refugees, and other mobile populations;
• Social rights for migrant populations;
• Public attitudes and political discourse on migration, including labour migration;
• Irregular migrant workers, borders, and the politics of immigration and enforcement;
• Policy innovations and pressing issues in contemporary migration governance.

Who should attend

• Policy analysts
• Private sectors professionals
• International organisation officials
• Civil servants
• NGO and civil society representatives
• Postgraduate researchers
• Journalists

Information for applicants

The in-residential programme will take place in Florence on 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 February 2026. Registrants who are selected will be expected to be present on the EUI campus in Florence, Italy, on the days of the training.

Successful applications to the Migration Winter Academy will satisfy the following criteria:

• A relevant Master’s degree or equivalent experience;
• A strong professional and/or research background in international migration;
• An excellent working knowledge (speaking and writing) of English;
• The availability to attend the entire teaching sessions of the programme.

All participants are requested to organise and cover expenses for their travel to and from Florence, as well as their local transportation in Florence and accommodation.

The Migration Policy Centre prepares for selected applicants a visa invitation letter that can be used for the visa application.

Applications will no longer be accepted after 22:00 on 31 October. Please ensure your submission is completed by then.

For more details, refer here