Fondazione Luciano Russi - Luciano Russi Fellowship

Luciano Russi Fellowship (Fondazione Luciano Russi)

You will receive a one-off prize of 1,500 EUR (gross, including tax) for one of the two best unpublished Master’s theses in History written at an Italian university. The prize is awarded by the Fondazione Luciano Russi in Pescara, which organises the competition every two years to recognise young researchers. The current round covers the period from 2025 to 2026.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold an Italian Master’s degree (laurea magistrale or specialistica) from an Italian university.
• Field of study: Your dissertation falls within the field of historical studies (scienze storiche, subject areas 11 and 14 as set out in the Ministerial Decree of 4 October 2000).
• Grade: You have passed your degree with a final mark of at least 105 out of 110.
• Timing: You obtained your qualification between 1 January 2025 and 31 July 2026.
• Unpublished work: Your dissertation has not yet been published and has not yet won any other prizes.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. The key requirement is that you have studied at an Italian university.

How to apply

You send your application and documents to the foundation by email by 31 October 2026. A three-member jury reviews the theses and picks the winners. The foundation confirms the award by the end of November 2026 and presents it at a public event in Pescara by December 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This prize has very strict eligibility criteria. Only unpublished Master’s theses in history from Italian universities that have been awarded a grade of at least 105/110 are eligible, meaning that the pool of eligible entrants is small. Every two years, the two best theses are selected, meaning that a small number of strong candidates compete for two prizes rather than just one. A well-written, original thesis that clearly fits within the subject area has a genuine chance of winning.