European economies are undergoing structural transformation. Business corporations operate in an environment marked by:

• Growing social and economic inequalities, both within and between Member States, including widening disparities in income, wealth, and labour conditions;
• The urgent need to address ecological degradation and planetary boundaries, requiring far-reaching changes in production and consumption patterns;
• Concerns about the EU’s ability to remain competitive in a global economy characterised by geopolitical fragmentation and industrial policy revival;
• The rapid development and deployment of artificial intelligence, with significant implications for labour markets, corporate governance, and market structures.

Corporations and markets are not neutral phenomena: they are constituted and structured by law. Company law, competition law, and (where relevant) financial law form the legal architecture of the European market economy. They structure corporate purpose, allocate economic power, and shape market dynamics. How do these legal regimes interact and how can — or should — they contribute to sustainable, inclusive, and competitive economic development within the EU and beyond?

Applicants are asked to write their own research proposal within the broad theme indicated above. The proposal must integrate both EU company law and EU competition law. It may also incorporate elements of financial law, organisational ethics or broader EU economic governance. While the European Union must form a core part of the analysis, comparative or transnational perspectives are encouraged. We appreciate projects that combine a strong theoretical framework with doctrinal analysis of EU company law and EU competition law. Where appropriate, empirical methods (case studies, interviews, quantitative analysis, or mixed approaches) are welcome. Interdisciplinary engagement – such as with economics, political theory, sociology, or business studies – is welcome.