Where: Online and Bologna, Italy

Online Lectures: June 30 and July 2, 2026

In-person Workshop: Autumn 2026 in Bologna Application deadline: May 3^rd

To whom: final-year undergraduate students and graduate students in Law and Political Science, as well as young professionals and scholars.

Bologna is a historic city in northern Italy, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant academic life, and distinctive red-brick architecture. The city is home to the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the Western world, and is celebrated for its culinary tradition and terracotta-colored buildings. Its history dates to Etruscan and Roman times, and the city is distinguished by its medieval towers, extensive porticoes, and grand piazzas. Among its most notable monuments are Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio, the Two Towers, and the Archiginnasio. Bologna is easily accessible by high-speed train and is served by Guglielmo Marconi International Airport.

Am I eligible to apply?

The summer school is open to final-year undergraduate students and graduate students in Law and Political Science, as well as to young professionals and scholars. Our ideal candidate will have a solid background knowledge in European Law and an understanding of the mechanisms of EU enlargement.

What is the application process?

To apply for the Summer School, please fill out the application form. The CCSDD does not accept any additional materials such as CVs, recommendation letters etc.

What are the costs of participation?

The full cost of tuition, accommodation in double room and food during the time of the summer school is 1000,00 EUR. We do, however, offer a number of partial and full scholarships. While selection of applicants will be based on the academic merit of the applications, those willing to bear the participation costs fully or partially will be preferred in case of equally strong applications.

What does the program of the summer school look like?

The primary activities consist of lectures and roundtable discussions. Every year we also organize a boat trip and a visit to cultural sites. To get a better idea of what to expect, you can visit our Facebook page.

When will I be notified about the selection results?

You will be notified about the selection results by May 15^th.

The vision of the EU & Legal Reform Summer School is to create a dynamic network of scholars and practitioners who will work to enact critical reforms as the EU expands. For the past 22 years we have worked towards this goal in two ways:

• We have brought together a diverse group of young legal scholars who we hope will eventually assist in legal reform and European integration processes in their respective countries and on the EU level.
• We have initiated a fruitful exchange of experiences and best practices during and after the Summer School that may lead to future transnational projects.

Here at the CCSDD, we believe that for true integration into the European Union to take place, European law needs to be fully incorporated into every aspect of domestic legislation. In order to harmonize the current South-Eastern European legal systems with those of EU countries, as well as cultivate groundbreaking legal thinking, it is essential to develop, train, and disseminate innovative teaching methods to young academics. In so doing, we can create a new generation of receptive and open-minded lawyers and political scientists who will play a critical role in the process of reform.