European Doctorate in Law and Economics (EDLE) is an excellence programme sponsored by the European Commission under the Erasmus Mundus scheme. It offers the unique opportunity to study Law and Economics on a phd-level in (at least) three different countries. The programme prepares economists and lawyers of high promise for an academic career in a research field of growing importance or for responsible positions in government, research organizations and international consulting groups.

The importance of Law and Economics within modern legal scholarship continues to expand. Today, Law and Economics has become an important part of the legal curriculum in most American and many European law schools. However, in Europe, there has, until now, been a clear lack of a structured programme in the economic analysis of law on the doctoral level.

The European Doctorate in Law and Economics (EDLE) is designed to fill that gap. Three of the leading European universities in the area of Law and Economics, the Universities of Bologna, Hamburg and Rotterdam, with the collaboration of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research of Mumbai, have established a joint Doctoral programme especially tailored to provide doctoral students with systematic and methodical training in the economic analysis of law.

Who Can Apply?
Admission to the programme is open to applicants with a diploma or a bachelor and master degree in law or economics, or a comparable university degree (second cycle qualification) required by the partner universities for admission to doctoral studies.

EDLE is a structured programme in the economic analysis of law on a doctoral level. Therefore, a thorough previous knowledge in the field of law and economics is required, as well as basic knowledge of microeconomics and calculus. If you lack specific knowledge on the economic analysis of law, you should consider applying for the EMLE programme, where this knowledge can be acquired.

Scholarships
Conditional on the approval of the European Commission, for the academic year 2011-2012, the following scholarships are offered:

• 9 scholarships by the European Commission under the Erasmus Mundus scheme (5 for Category A applicants, 1 for Western Balkans applicants, 3 for Category B applicants),
• 6 by the partner universities (University of Bologna, Hamburg Institute of Law and Economics, Rotterdam Institute of Law and Economics).

Additional scholarships may become available at a later stage.

Mundus Category A scholarships are reserved to applicants who: i) do not come from an “EU-area” country (EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland); and ii) are not residents nor have carried out their main activity (studies, work, etc.) for a period equal or longer than a total of 12 months over the last five years in “EU-area” countries. This rule does not apply to non “EU-area” candidates who have previously received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship in order to follow an Erasmus Mundus Master Programme.

Western Balkans applicants (from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) apply for a specific position, under the same conditions of Cat. A applicants.

Mundus Category B scholarships are reserved to applicants who do not fulfil the Category A criteria defined above.

Mundus scholarships provide a gross contribution of Euro 33,600 per year, for 3 years. This roughly amounts to a net income of Euro 1,600 per month.

On top of the monthly salary, Mundus scholars benefit from a fixed contribution to the travel, installation and any other types of costs for a maximum of Euro 7,500 (Cat. A) or Euro 3,000 (Cat B.).

Applicants for the Mundus scholarships can only apply to a maximum of 3 Mundus programmes throughout (Master or Doctorates).

Beneficiaries of Mundus scholarships will enter a full-time employment contract with the University of Bologna. Individuals who have already benefited from an Mundus doctoral scholarship (EMJD) are not eligible for a second grant. Mundus scholars cannot benefit from other Community grants while carrying out their doctoral activities.

The scholarships offered by the Erasmus University of Rotterdam provide a gross income of approx. Euro 25,000 per year, for 4 years (net income of about Euro 1,400 per month); those offered by the University of Bologna approx. Euro 13,638.47 (gross) per year for 3 years (net income of about Euro 1,038.61), with an additional 50% increase for the periods of research spent abroad (up to 18 months total). The scholarships offered by the University of Hamburg amounts to approx. Euro 13,200 per year for 3 years (net monthly amount Euro 930 after insurance deduction).

Scholarships of the different types will be awarded according to merit and in compliance with Mundus regulations.

Tuition Fees
For the Academic Year 2011/2012 tuition fees amount to Euro 3,600 per year. The scholarships listed above also cover the tuition fees.

Application
Applications are submitted online and must include the following documents:

1. CV with information on academic, professional and other education (Europass model),
2. official transcripts of previous degrees (in English),
3. two reference letters,
4. a letter of motivation with a prospective research proposal and,
5. a certificate of English proficiency (FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC, British Chamber of Commerce, Trinity College, TOEFL, IELTS) in case the applicant’s native language is not English. Applicants who have attended, for a period of at least 6 months, to university courses held in English do not need to submit the certificate,
6. academic work, if available (at most two papers),
7. copy of valid ID.

The deadline for applications is: 9th January 2012 (CET) for all applicants. Applications can only be submitted online.

Admission
Applicants will be selected on the basis of their academic merit and their capability of carrying out high-level scientific research activity in the field of the economic analysis of law, and in compliance with Mundus regulations. Good knowledge of English is a prerequisite.

In order to acquire additional information, the Selection Commission may interview short-listed applicants. The consortium follows a non-discrimination admission policy.

Mundus Category A applicants who fail to obtain the Mundus scholarships will be considered for the other scholarships offered by the consortium.

For more information, please visit official website: www.edle-phd.eu.

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