European Business History Association

The EBHA invites expressions of interest from European universities interested in hosting the Franco Amatori EBHA Doctoral Summer School in 2032 and beyond. The EBHA Council would give priority to a host that can commit to three or more consecutive Summer Schools, but will consider other proposals as well. Please note that there is a two-stage EBHA bidding process (see details below).

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The Franco Amatori EBHA Doctoral Summer School is, together with the Annual Congress, one of the principal activities of the EBHA and it is expected for prospective local organizers to be Association members and have a track record in the discipline of business history. The school is organized every other year and its main goal is to provide students with an overview of the features of business history and the potentialities that the discipline might hold for their own doctoral research projects. It provides students with a friendly atmosphere in which to discuss their own preliminary findings and “hot topics” such as publishing and the job market. The school also introduces doctoral candidates to the European Business History Association and to leading researchers in the Association, and it facilitates the establishment of networks among PhD candidates.

Formal and informal feedback gathered over time allowed the EBHA Council to confirm the great effectiveness and success of the EBHA Doctoral Summer School. The Council is thus inviting bids for hosting the next EBHA Doctoral Summer School, which is to be held in 2032 and subsequent years. The EBHA will support the organisation of the Summer School by providing its successful brand, funding the travel expenses of the Faculty members, paying for one dinner with students and faculty members, and cooperating in the organization of the event through the participation of at least one representative of the EBHA Council in the programme committee. Local organizers are required to cover the costs of accommodation and food for students and Faculty members and, together with EBHA, manage the organization of the event.

The EBHA Doctoral Summer School is traditionally organized for 4—5 days and 20 students. Other formats will be also considered provided they allow for a minimum number of at least ten students. The EBHA Council wishes to guarantee the continuity of the school while preserving its identity, goals and philosophy. Bids with a longer perspective such as hosting the Summer School two or three times are welcomed.

Two-step bidding process for proposals to host a future Franco Amatori EBHA Doctoral Summer School

Step 1 - The basic requirements to include in the bidding process are:

• A presentation of the institution(s) that wants to host the Summer School and the team responsible for the programme and the organization (not more than two people, the project leader must be a regular member of the EBHA), indicating the necessary and relevant organizational experiences and skills.
• A general frame and topic for the Summer School.
• A viable financial budget that includes accommodation (hotel and meals) for a minimum number of ten students and three teaching scholars. The budget should also clarify sources of funding.
• An indication of the venue used for the Summer School and information about its accessibility and facilities.
• An indication of possible dates for the venue.

Step 2 of the bidding process:

If the proposal is approved by the EBHA Council to progress to step 2 a revised proposal based on the Council comments will be requested as well as a proposed call for papers, among other information to be detailed at the time. The EBHA President will then institute a programme and organization committee for the Summer School, including the school director, which consist of two local members and at least one member from the EBHA Council. A local member will be nominated as coordinator of the committee. The committee will oversee the planning of the event, inviting teaching faculty, organizing the School and the topics of the classes, and arranging for scholars and organizing other activities.

If you and your university would like to express an interest or have any questions, please contact the EBHA president or the EBHA Secretary via secretary@ebha.org.