University of Pavia (Pavia/Italy) - Degree prize “Cesare Bonacossa”

What the Bonacossa prize gives you

For an outstanding thesis on modern and contemporary Asian society, you will receive a one-off cash prize of EUR 1,500 (gross). After deduction of the standard withholding tax of 25%, you will be left with approximately 1,125 euros. Two prizes are awarded in each round: one for a Master’s thesis and one for a doctoral thesis. The prize is sponsored by the Cesare Bonacossa Centre for the Study of Non-European Peoples at the University of Pavia and is awarded as part of the annual Bonacossa Lecture.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have completed either a two-year Master’s degree (laurea magistrale) or a PhD (dottorato).
• Where you studied: Every Italian university counts – not just Pavia.
• Topic: Your dissertation should focus on social issues in modern and contemporary Asia. Particular preference will be given to particularly original work or work based on field research.
• Timing (master's only): You have completed your degree no later than two years after the end of the official duration of study.
• Nationality and age: Open to all nationalities and all ages.
• One-time: The prize can only be won once for the same thesis.

How to apply

Please send your application, a PDF file of your final thesis and proof of your degree to the University of Pavia. You may submit the documents by registered post, in person or by certified email (PEC). In previous application rounds, the deadline was around 11 September.

How realistic are your chances?

This prize has strict criteria: only dissertations on Asian societies are eligible, and only two prizes are awarded per round – one for Master’s theses and one for doctoral theses. This keeps the pool of applicants small, meaning that a well-suited thesis has a genuine chance of success, particularly if it is original or based on field research. As only one thesis wins in each category, a compelling and clearly relevant piece of research is what will set you apart from the rest.