Rome Holds Its Breath
5:42 AM.
The first light of dawn bled across the Vatican’s rooftops, but the city did not stir. The streets remained unnaturally silent, as if Rome itself had forgotten to wake.
A dense, metallic scent clung to the air not quite blood, not quite fire, but something that did not belong.
Within the sacred halls, priests gathered for their morning prayers. Candles flickered uncertainly in the great cathedral, their flames shrinking, struggling against something unseen.
And in the depths of the Vatican’s archives, the High Inquisitor gripped the forbidden tome with white-knuckled hands.
He had spent the last hour pacing the chamber, his mind turning over what he had read, the inked words seared into his thoughts.
"They did not return alone."
"They wear their own skin, but beneath it… something else stirs."
A sickening realization churned in his gut.
Gabriel Cross was not possessed.
He was becoming something else.
And soon
They would all see it.
Gabriel sat in his chamber, staring at his reflection in the polished glass of the reliquary case.
His fingers trembled slightly.
He willed them to stop.
They didn’t.
A single drop of sweat trailed down his temple, but the room was freezing.
His breath should have fogged in the cold air.
But it didn’t.
For the first time since his return, a flicker of unease slid beneath his ribs.
Something was… wrong.
Not just with the world around him.
With him.
Gabriel stood slowly, his robes whispering against the marble floor.
His limbs felt heavy, as if his body was learning how to move again.
He flexed his fingers
And watched, disturbed, as his knuckles shifted beneath his skin.
Not subtly. Not like a trick of the light.
The bones moved.
His own breath stalled.
His reflection watched him, but something about it was off.
The movements were a fraction too slow.
His eyes felt sunken, too deep in his skull.
And beneath his skin
A pulse, steady, rhythmic.
But not his heartbeat.
A quiet knock broke the silence.
Gabriel turned too quickly, his movement unnaturally fluid, as if his body had anticipated the sound before his mind had registered it.
The door creaked open.
A priest stood there, hesitant, his eyes flicking toward the relic chamber before settling on Gabriel’s face.
"Your Eminence, the High Council requests your presence immediately."
Gabriel did not speak.
For a moment, the priest fidgeted.
Something about the silence unsettled him.
Then, as if suddenly aware of himself, he cleared his throat and added:
"There are… concerns
The Council chamber was bathed in morning light, but the warmth did not touch the men seated at the long table.
The air felt taut, expectant, charged with something unsaid.
The High Inquisitor was already waiting, his hands folded before him, his face carefully unreadable.
But Gabriel could smell the unease in the room.
It was thick, cloying.
Like a funeral before the body had grown cold.
A cardinal cleared his throat.
"Gabriel Cross."
Gabriel lifted his eyes.
"There are rumors," the cardinal continued, voice strained. "Disturbances. Weeping statues. Flickering candles. A priest who collapsed, screaming your name."
Gabriel’s fingers twitched beneath the table.
"Do you deny it?"
A heartbeat.
Not his.
His lips curled before he could stop himself.
"Do I need to?"
The room tensed.
A bead of sweat rolled down the High Inquisitor’s temple.
He could feel it now an aura pressing against the chamber, thick as smoke, suffocating as drowning.
The man sitting before them was not right.
Gabriel should have been afraid.
Instead
He smiled.
It was not a human smile.
The skin at the corners of his mouth pulled too tightly, stretching just a little too far.
And then
His left eye twitched.
The movement rippled across his skin like a stone dropped into still water.
The priests stared in horror as something beneath his flesh shifted.
And moved.
Gabriel’s breath hitched.
Not in fear.
In pain.
It started in his ribs deep, sharp, spreading like fingers clawing their way upward.
His vision blurred.
The room tilted.
A cold, wet sound gurgled up from his throat, but it wasn’t a cough.
It was a whisper.
A voice not his own.
A voice that had waited.
A voice that had watched.
A voice that had always been there.
"You feel it, don’t you?"
Gabriel gripped the edge of the table, his fingernails biting into the wood.
"The war isn’t over, Gabriel."
His spine arched violently as a crackling rippled beneath his skin, his ribs expanding outward.
The High Inquisitor lurched back, knocking over his chair.
"Get the restraints"
Too late.
Gabriel slammed his fist onto the table, splitting the wood.
The light in the chamber flickered, stuttered then died.
The priests began shouting.
And Gabriel, through gritted teeth, through the agony crawling up his throat, through the war being waged inside his own body
Laughed.
The High Inquisitor’s voice cut through the chaos.
"Bind him. Now."
Holy chains clattered against the floor.
Gabriel’s vision swam, flickering between the world he knew and something much darker.
The candles along the walls trembled, their flames shrinking to nothing.
And beneath his skin
Something stirred.
"He is not ours anymore."
Priests shouted over each other, scrambling for the sacramental tools, for relics, for scripture anything that could contain him. Holy chains were dragged from beneath the altar, their links clattering across the marble.
The High Inquisitor moved first.
He wasn’t waiting for the bureaucracy of the Council.
He grabbed the nearest set of restraints, the sacred sigils engraved into the iron glowing faintly under the dim torchlight.
"Hold him down!"
Gabriel lurched violently, his body bucking against the force of unseen hands. His mouth hung open, but his scream was layered his own voice breaking into something deeper, something guttural, something ancient.
The chains snapped around his wrists.
A priest stumbled back, his fingers burned raw from just touching them.
Gabriel twisted, his body convulsing against the restraints, the veins in his arms blackening beneath his skin.
"You are not Gabriel anymore."
The voice did not belong to the High Inquisitor.
It came from behind him.
A cardinal one of the oldest members of the Council, his face lined with decades of faith and suffering stood trembling, his prayer book slipping from his fingers.
His lips moved, but no sound came out.
He was looking at Gabriel’s eyes.
At the shadows that moved behind them.
Gabriel threw his head back, his spine bowing unnaturally.
A wet, sickening sound like old leather stretching over bone rippled through the chamber.
And then
His ribs shifted outward.
Not breaking,spreading.
Like something was pressing from the inside.
A priest made the sign of the cross, his voice cracking as he whispered, "Holy Mother, have mercy."
Gabriel gasped for air, his breath ragged, his fingers twitching, curling but they weren’t his fingers anymore.
Something moved beneath his skin.
Something pressing upward.
Something trying to be born.
The High Inquisitor did not hesitate.
He pulled a sacramental dagger from his robes, the blade consecrated in the old ways etched with Latin rites not spoken aloud for centuries.
"Hold him still."
Two priests moved in, their hands shaking as they grabbed the chains, tightening them, pulling Gabriel’s body taut against the floor.
The moment the dagger pressed against his forehead
Gabriel screamed.
The sound was inhuman.
And the candles in the chamber
All of them died at once.
Darkness swallowed the room whole.
And in the blackness, something laughed.
How to Apply for the 2025 EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships (Law / Human Rights)
The European University Institute (EUI), located in Fiesole near Florence, Italy, is one of Europe’s premier centres for doctoral and post-doctoral research in law, human rights, social sciences and public policy. Among its funding offerings, the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships are particularly important for applicants from developing countries or conflict-affected regions. This guide gives you updated official info (as of early 2025), a step-by-step application plan, eligibility rules, deadlines, benefits, tips, and links to resources so you can apply with confidence.
Overview of the EUI and the Special Doctoral Fellowships
The EUI is an intergovernmental institution established by European member states, focused on producing cutting-edge research in law, economics, history and political/social sciences. Its doctoral programmes are fully funded, and several fellowships are reserved for candidates from low- or lower-middle-income countries or those affected by war. The EUI Doctoral Programmes page confirms there are about 130 fully funded doctoral positions available per year. 0
The “Special Doctoral Fellowship” scheme is a subset of these positions, aiming to ensure access for applicants who have limited or no alternative funding. It includes a monthly grant, allowances (family, travel), insurance, and full access to institutional resources. 1
Benefits of the Special Doctoral Fellowships 2025
| What’s Provided | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly stipend / Grant | €1,620 per month (as of 1 Jan 2025) 2 |
| Family Allowance | Yes, for eligible candidates 3 |
| Travel Allowance | Yes, included in the fellowship package 4 |
| Health / Insurance | Covered under the fellowship plan 5 |
| Duration | Typically 4 years for a doctoral programme at EUI (PhD candidates) 6 |
| Residency / academic support | Full access to EUI library, supervision, seminars, workshops; academic climate with faculty, visiting scholars etc. 7 |
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship, you must meet several key requirements:
- You hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline relevant to the doctoral programme (e.g. Law / Human Rights / International Law or a related field). The degree must be awarded before 31 August 2025 for the 2025 intake. 8
- You must select “EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship Programme” in the “Funding Authorities” section of the online EUI doctoral programme application form. 9
- Your nationality must be from one of the eligible countries (many low-income or lower-middle income; see list below) unless you are from a region affected by armed conflict (see later). 10
- If you are from a war-affected region or your academic progress has been disrupted by conflict, you may be eligible even if your country is not on the standard list. You should prepare a short statement (approx 700 words) describing your circumstances. 11
- You must apply by the deadline of the EUI doctoral programme, using the online application system, indicating your intention to apply for the fellowship. No separate fellowship form is needed beyond selecting the option. 12
Eligible Countries (Examples)
Some of the eligible countries include: India, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, Morocco, Indonesia, etc. Candidates from these countries are automatically considered under the Special Doctoral Fellowship scheme. 13
Application Steps: How to Apply
- Prepare a Research Proposal — identify a research topic relevant to the doctoral programmes at EUI (law/human rights, etc.). The proposal should be detailed, showing methodology, literature review, research questions and impact. EUI often requires proposals aligning with its faculty expertise.
- Gather Academic Records — transcripts from bachelor’s and master’s degrees; proof of degree; certificate equivalents; English proficiency if needed.
- Draft Personal / Motivation Statement — explain why the fellowship is critical for you, how your past work or experiences relate, and how you plan to contribute academically and practically in human rights. If conflict-affected and applying under that basis, include the separate statement.
- Obtain References — usually two academic or professional referees who know your research capacity / human rights interest. Let them know about the fellowship.
- Fill the Online Application Form — go to the EUI Doctoral Programme application portal, select the doctoral programme, fill funding section selecting "Special Doctoral Fellowship Programme" as Funding Authority. Upload required documents. 14
- Submit Before Deadline — make sure all uploads (proposal, references, transcripts, conflict statement if applicable) are completed. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
- Follow Up — EUI may contact for clarifications or shortlist; ensure email and contact information are stable. Prepare for possible interview or additional questions.
Deadlines & Important Dates
| Item | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Programme Application Deadline | Check the EUI Doctoral Programme page for the 2025 deadline (often mid/late spring) → Subject to variation by department. 15 |
| Special Doctoral Fellowship Funding Selection Deadline | Same as admission application deadline; no separate fellowship deadline. 16 |
| Notification of Results | Usually by summer prior to autumn enrolment (June to August) but varies. Confirm with the EUI admissions office. |
| Master’s degree award date required by | 31 August 2025 for 2025 cohort. 17 |
Myths vs Facts
- Myth: Only EU citizens can apply.
Fact: Applicants from many non-EU, developing, or conflict-affected countries are eligible. 18 - Myth: You need several years of work experience in human rights.
Fact: Research promise, academic performance, and clarity of proposal can compensate; experience helps but is not always mandatory. - Myth: The fellowship covers all costs including living in Florence.
Fact: It covers a generous stipend, travel, insurance etc., but you should budget for other expenses like accommodation deposits, materials etc.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Ensure your research topic aligns with one of the departments at EUI law faculty; check faculty members’ pages to see who supervises similar work.
- If you come from a conflict-affected area, be clear and honest in the separate statement; good clarity helps assessors understand challenges.
- Write your proposal with clarity—clear questions, feasible methods, timeline, resources.
- Get reference letters from people who know your research potential and can speak about your discipline knowledge.
- Proofread everything deeply; invest in editing the proposal and motivation parts.
- Make sure you meet formal requirements (degree awarded by deadline, transcripts certified, language proficiency, etc.). Missing formalities often causes disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I apply if my country is not on the eligible list?
Yes—if your academic progress has been disrupted by armed conflict or similar severe conditions, you may submit the conflict statement. It does not guarantee funding, but makes you eligible under special consideration. 19
Is there a separate application for the fellowship beyond the doctoral admission?
No. The fellowship application is embedded in the doctoral programme application. You select the “EUI Special Doctoral Fellowship” funding authority option in the form. 20
What if I get another scholarship?
A: EUI expects transparency. If you have other funding, indicate it; some fellowships may not combine with certain other awards. Check with EUI admissions / funding office.
Contact & Official Sources
- EUI Special Doctoral Fellowships page 21
- EUI Doctoral Programmes page 22
- Max Weber Post-doctoral Fellowships 23
Final Action Plan
- Decide your research topic in advance, align with EUI faculty interests in law / human rights.
- Secure your Masters degree certificate by 31 August 2025 (if applying for 2025 cohort).
- Draft proposal + motivation statement; ask for feedback from peers or mentors.
- Register application in EUI portal, select “Special Doctoral Fellowship Programme” in funding section.
- Ensure references submitted; conflict statement if applicable.
- Submit complete application before deadline; track email and updates from EUI.