Maastricht Consulates Prize on EU Law 2025 Awarded

Since 2023, the prize has been awarded annually to the best master’s thesis in EU law written at the faculty. This year, the jury assessed 23 entries. The independent jury consisted of Professor Emeritus Bruno de Witte (chair), Dr Pauline Melin and Dr Matteo Bonelli, all experts in the field of EU law.

Winners of 2025

The Maastricht Consulates Prize 2025 was awarded to Merle Sandhop for her thesis:
“Between Leadership and Legal Obligation: The EU Deforestation Regulation and the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities.”

The jury praised her original approach and her sharp, well-substantiated analysis of the EU Deforestation Regulation and its relationship with the international environmental principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. The thesis is ambitious, clearly structured, and makes a meaningful contribution to the academic debate.

Merle: "It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey. Receiving this award is undoubtedly a major academic and personal milestone, something I could never have imagined at the start of my writing process. I am extremely grateful to have been chosen. Moreover, it further reinforces my desire to perhaps pursue an academic career myself one day. I am also delighted to see that the importance of my research topic has been recognised, which makes this achievement even more meaningful.
I am very grateful for the guidance that helped shape my thesis."

The jury also awarded two honourable mentions:

• Lena Herzog – “Article 72 TFEU in the Context of Migration Instrumentalization: Opening the Door to Restrictions of the Right to Asylum?” The jury commended the clear structure, convincing legal reasoning and strong use of relevant literature. The thesis offers a persuasive analysis of whether Article 72 TFEU allows Member States to derogate from EU asylum law and close their borders.
  Lena: "The honourable mention feels like a special recognition of the work and dedication I put into my research. I look back on my research process with great satisfaction and am curious to see how this topic will continue to develop, both in academic discussions and in practice."
• Rita Passô Ribeiro – “The Price of Convenience: Rethinking the Classification of Wage-Fixing and No-Poach Agreements as Restrictions by Object under Article 101(1) TFEU.” The jury highlighted the rigorous research method, the strong comparative analysis, and the well-balanced discussion of a topical and complex issue at the intersection of competition law and labour law.
  Rita: "Writing my thesis was challenging but incredibly rewarding. Receiving this honourable mention feels like a golden key to close this chapter of my academic journey in Maastricht. I am genuinely proud and grateful—this recognition shows that putting your heart and effort into something truly makes a difference."

The jury noted that the overall level of submissions this year was exceptionally high, and that all three selected theses offer valuable academic and societal insights within the field of EU law.

Looking back: where are the 2024 winners now?

Last year’s prize winner, Francesco Mauri, is now a trainee in the cabinet of Advocate General Tamara Ćapeta at the Court of Justice of the European Union. In 2026, he will begin his PhD at the Luxembourg Centre for European Law.

The recipient of the 2024 honourable mention, Jakob Piep, also completed a traineeship at the Court of Justice and is now pursuing a PhD at the European University Institute in Florence.

Both research projects build on the work they started in Maastricht during their master’s theses.

The Maastricht Consulates Prize: made possible by the consuls

As in previous years, the prize was supported by the Corps Consulaire à Maestricht. The association aims to promote knowledge about the EU among the general public and sees the prize as a great opportunity to advance European values through supporting education and young researchers.

Would you like to learn more about the background of this special prize? Last year, Studio Europa conducted an in-depth interview with the consuls about their motivation and the importance of the prize. You can read the interview here.

Our sincere thanks go to the consuls for their continued commitment and their careful assessment of all submissions. Their involvement ensures that the EU Law Thesis Prizes remain academically rigorous while staying closely connected to real-world practice.

More information about the Maastricht Consulates Prize and the Corps Consulaire à Maestricht can be found via this link.