Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners

The European University Institute’s Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CPMF) is inviting applications the 14th edition of its Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners. The programme aims to critically examine what remains essential about journalism in an age dominated by digital platforms, generative AI, and new forms of political and news influence.

The Summer School will be held in the EUI Campus in Florence from 15 June, 2026 to 19 June, 2026.

Thematics

At the heart of the CPMF programme lies a fundamental question: who is a journalist today, why does this definition matter, and which core elements of journalism must be protected as essential to democracy?

• The Summer School approaches this question through legal, political, economic, ethical, and practical perspectives.
• The programme explores the changing relationships between key actors shaping today’s information environment. These are journalists and media organisations; big tech platforms and generative AI models; and news and political influencers.
• Participants will examine whether current transformations represent a process of creative disruption.
• The programme will also address questions of sustainability and governance: who should pay for journalism, and under what conditions? How effective are current regulatory responses such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the Copyright Directive and the AI Act?

Eligibility 

• The CMPF Summer School is primarily designed for mid-career journalists and media practitioners, but it is also open to stakeholders from the news industry and research community.
• It aims to bring together participants from a wide range of countries and professional backgrounds.
• The CMPF will select participants based on the information provided in the application form, with attention to the overall quality of applications as well as diversity criteria.
• The working language of the Summer School is English, and all participants must be fluent in English.

What the programme offers

The programme offers scholarships with the following categories and conditions:

• CMPF Summer School Programme scholarships – 20 scholarships Available to applicants from countries participating in the Creative Europe programme.
• Scholarships for nationals of Turkey and Ukraine – 2 scholarships.
• Erasmus+ international mobility – up to 3 grants.

How to apply 

Applicants should apply by creating an account or loggin in to an existing on the EUI platform. The application deadline is 15 March 2026.

For more information, please visit this page.