BPN - Lino Venini Fellowship

Lino Venini Fellowship

You will receive 25,000 EUR (gross, before tax) for a postgraduate course in economics or finance abroad. The amount will be paid in two instalments: the first during your studies, and the second upon completion. The course must last at least 9 months, build on your previous studies and take place at a university in the United States or another European country. After the first year, you may apply for an extension of the funding for a second year, bringing the total duration up to 24 months. The selection committee decides on each extension on a case-by-case basis. Two of these scholarships (study grants for postgraduate programmes) are awarded in each round by the Fondazione BPN per il Territorio, the foundation of the Banca Popolare di Novara in Novara, Italy.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a citizen of Italy or another EU country.
• Degree: You hold a Master’s degree or a university degree of at least four years’ duration in economics or finance.
• Grades: You have completed your degree with the highest possible mark, 110/110.
• Age: At the time of your application, you must not be older than 32.
• Language: You speak the language taught at the university you have chosen very well.
• No other grant: You are not currently receiving any other scholarship.
• Regional preference: Preference will be given to applicants who live in Piedmont or Liguria, or who have obtained their degree from a university in one of these regions. This is an advantage, but not a requirement.

How to apply

Please email the application form and your supporting documents to the Foundation by 15 September. A panel of five university professors from the departments of Economics and Finance will select the winners. They will assess your final dissertation, your academic record, any relevant work experience, and your planned study and research placement abroad.

How realistic are your chances?

Only two scholarships are awarded per round, and the requirements are high: a degree with top marks in economics or finance, as well as a compelling proposal for studying abroad. This narrows the field down to a small group of high-achieving graduates, meaning that your reasons for choosing your degree programme and the quality of your final dissertation are decisive. If you meet the criteria exactly – particularly if you have links to Piedmont or Liguria – you have a genuine chance of success; however, this is a highly competitive scholarship awarded by a single academic department.