Fulbright Lectureship in Big Data, Climate Change, Cultural Heritage, Health and Well-being, Space, Sustainability & Circular Economy at the University of Bologna
Italy
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
The Fulbright scholar is expected to teach 2 courses. The scholar will also be able to conduct his/her research and engage in collaborative research as well.
Courses are:
- One teaching module 20-hour course (Master level). Approximately 30 students.
- One 10-hour transdisciplinary seminar for graduate students and/or PhD students. Approximately 20 students.
The total teaching load is 30 hours.
Course and syllabus requirements: The Scholar, in agreement with the faculty of the hosting department, will identify the subjects of both courses within the selected topic. Then the courses’ syllabi will be agreed upon with the faculty of the hosting department so that they will meet the department’s format. These syllabi will be consistent with and complementary to the departmental teaching offering. The Scholar will design his/her syllabi with an interdisciplinary approach.
Other Grant Activity:
Student advising and tutorials: the scholar is expected to advise Ph.D. students who are carrying out research projects on subjects related to the scholar’s research specialization/interest.
University of Bologna, https://www.unibo.it/en/homepage
Three months, either in the Fall or Spring Term, dates to be defined.
Any discipline taught at the University of Bologna in its Departments.
The University of Bologna will welcome applications of scholars from all fields of study whose teaching and research interests will be focused on one of the following topics: Big Data, Climate Change, Cultural Heritage, Health and Well-being, Space, Sustainability & Circular Economy.
Each topic can be developed in a wide range of research fields and disciplines offered by all of the 31 UNIBO Departments.
The Fulbright Scholar will have access to:
University Library Organization - The University of Bologna has a wide network of facilities, library, and documentary services providing support for studies, teaching, research, and professional and cultural activities.
The Bologna University Library, with important collections of antique and modern books, is the University's central library, offering general library services, conservation, and historical and scientific research facilities.
University Library network
The University of Bologna has a wide network of departmental libraries and documentary services, providing support for studies, teaching, research.
The Bologna University Library, with important collections of antique and modern books, is the University central library, offering general library services, conservation, historical and scientific research facilities. The University Library Network includes 25 libraries with 49 service points and provides more than 5,000 locations for study and research. In addition to conventional library services, the library network gives access to over 1.163 databases, 62.358 online journals, 646.143 ebooks.
University Museum Network - A coordinated network of 13 museums (including the Palazzo Poggi Museum) that protects and promotes the University’s historical and artistic assets.
ISTITUTO DI STUDI SUPERIORI (INSTITUTE OF SUPERIOR STUDIES - ISS) - ISS is an interdisciplinary and international center of excellence where academics of all levels of study and research meet: professors, assistant professors and students. It is involved in European activities and projects aimed at fostering student and researcher mobility, the transfer of knowledge, and research activities; it promotes and supports invitations to adjunct lecturers, selects intersecting research themes, and attends to qualifying aspects in the education of excellent students, who are selected through public exams and constantly monitored based on academic results. It is also a member of International Higher Education Institution networks, and participates in international initiatives in cooperation with partners throughout the world. It consists of two sections: the Collegio Superiore and the Institute of Advanced Studies.
COLLEGIO SUPERIORE - The Collegio Superiore provides supplementary, highly qualifying training courses with a strong interdisciplinary focus for students admitted on a merit basis. This excellent training is enriched by meetings and seminars held by Italian and international academics, as well as by exchanges with other European schools of excellence.
The Fulbright Lecturer will be invited to attend Collegio Superiore initiatives, as well as to give a seminar in this center of excellence.
INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES - The Institute selects PhD students, PhD graduates, and high-profile academics from all over the world who are invited to Bologna by the University professors. It promotes the exchange of ideas and knowledge at an international level, constitutes a meeting point for Italian and international academics.
The Fulbright Lecturer will benefit from this high-profile international environment and related cross-fertilization initiatives with the possibility to cooperate with international academics coming from all over the world.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Conversational Italian is helpful to better integrate into the local community, but it is not mandatory.
The Department welcomes scholars of any academic rank with teaching experience.
The research record should include articles in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Campuses, Schools, Departments and Institutes:
https://www.unibo.it/en/university/campuses-and-structures
https://www.unibo.it/en/university/campuses-and-structures/departments
Teaching offering:
https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/degree-programmes/?intconmul=trueResearch
Research:
https://www.unibo.it/en/research/projects-and-initiatives
PhD programs:
https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/phd/2023-2024
Contact person at the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission: Barbara Pizzella, Senior Program Officer, bpizzella@fulbright.it, and Chiara Petrilli, Program Officer, cpetrilli@fulbright.it
Monthly stipend of €4,500 for a total of €13,500 for three months ($4,927 and $14,782; the amounts may change depending on exchange rate fluctuations). The award, which is a maintenance allowance for the entire period, is disbursed in Euro currency.
International Travel allowance of €1,100 ($1,204; the amount may change depending on exchange rate fluctuations). The allowance is disbursed in Euro currency.
Cost of living in Bologna:
Housing costs: approximately 900/1.000 euro/month ($985/1.095 approx)
Day-to-day expenses: approximately 500 euro/month ($547 approx)
Transportation: 1,50 euro for each bus ride ($1.64 approx)
Cinema: between 8 and 13 euro ($8.76/14.24 approx); theatre around 25/30 euro ($27.39/32.87)
Restaurant: between 30 and 70 euro ($32.87/76.70 approx)
As a rule, large cities in the North and the Center of Italy are more expensive, while living in the South is less costly, even in larger cities. An average monthly budget for two persons could range between €1.400-€2.500 ($1.533 -$2.737 approx.). Rent is usually the major expense, ranging between €600-€1.500 ($657-$1.642 approx.). Individuals’ lifestyles, and choosing to live downtown or on the outskirts of a city can make a difference. The following websites could help navigate the costs of living in Italy. While none of them is sponsored by official institutions, the information is provided mostly by international visitors themselves and ex-pats:
https://wise.com/gb/blog/cost-of-living-in-italy; https://internationalliving.com/countries/italy/cost-of-living-in-italy/; https://www.mondayfeelings.com/cost-to-live-in-italy/; https://www.internationalcitizens.com/living-abroad/costs/italy.php; https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Italy; https://www.forextradingitalia.it/costo-della-vita/italia.html
The Fulbright Scholar will have access to:
- office space with a personal computer, campus network, and IT assistance; E-mail service with a local account;
- library facilities and online library services;
- opportunities for UNIBO and affiliated personnel to participate in cultural and social events organized in connection with the University of Bologna.
UNIBO faculty and students can benefit from special discounts to cinemas, museums and theatres.
Focusing on transport and mobility: Mi Muovo: single train-bus travel pass valid throughout Emilia Romagna
There are several activities that the scholar might be involved in and benefit from:
University Sports Centre - CUSB https://cusb.unibo.it/en
University Museum Network - SMA https://sma.unibo.it/en
Collegium Musicum Almae Matris (University of Bologna Choir and Orchestra) https://collegiummusicumbologna.com/en/
UniboCultura – Unibo Culturalevents https://site.unibo.it/unibocultura/it
The University of Bologna cannot provide free housing but will assist in finding accommodation on the private market through its housing service SAIS, https://www.saisaccommodation.it/en-us/finding-accommodation-in-bologna
In addition to that:
Tax Code desk for students and international teaching staff: A help desk from which University students and international teaching staff may obtain an Italian Tax Code.
The Fulbright Scholar will be eligible for the Fulbright Inter-country Travel Grant Program, http://www.fulbright.it/fulbright-intercountry/, and to receive a travel grant to lecture, hold workshops and conduct other relevant outreach activity at other Italian and European academic institutions.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Italy
To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards in Italy for 2024-25, please view our archived webinar and slides to hear directly from the Fulbright Commission, IIE staff, and U.S. Scholar alums regarding award details, the scholar experience, and application guidance.
The program in Italy is open to scholars and professionals from all disciplines; preferences are indicated under individual award descriptions. Scholars may be invited to give occasional lectures or seminars at various Italian universities. Some of the awards offer free housing (paid for by the host institution), or a financial contribution to offset housing costs.
Preference for candidates who have not already had substantial experience (5 years or more) studying or teaching in an Italian university.
The academic calendar, which is usually divided into two semesters, is generally October to June. However, dates may vary depending on the university.
Entry Visas to Italy: Selected grantees must enter Italy on a study or, in some cases, a research visa covering the authorized length of the grant. Information about the two visas and their application process is available on the Italy Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. The possibility of staying for longer periods and/or being accompanied by dependents is subject to the provisions and restrictions of Italian Law. Italian embassy and consulates are the sole authorities in matters pertaining to visa issues.
Basic Visa Information: U.S. grantees must apply for a Study Visa (D) at the Italian Embassy or Consulate having jurisdiction in the State where they reside. The Commission will support their application with a letter that will be sent to grantees after they have signed the official grant authorization but will not be able to assist grantees in their application procedures.
Due to restrictions in the Italian Immigration Law, there are potential challenges related to the duration of grantee stay in Italy, and the visa and permit-to-stay for their dependents.
The requested duration of the grantee's stay in Italy should not be much longer than the official grant period. In case of significant discrepancy (more than 30 days overall), the Consulate may reject the grantee's visa request.
Grantees who wish to be accompanied to Italy by their family dependents should be aware that the Commission cannot sponsor their dependents’ visas. Available options are:
1. Dependents may stay in Italy without a visa for 90 days
2. Dependents may enroll in an Italian language course and apply for their study visa (the Commission cannot assist in identifying the course, nor does it have the funding to allocate for this purpose)
3. Dependents could apply for a Ricongiungimento Familiare. The procedure entails that grantees travel to Italy on their own and once they arrive in Italy they must request a nulla osta per il ricongiungimento familiare. The nulla osta will be issued within 180 days from the request, which may exceed their grant length. Only then will dependents be able to travel to Italy to join the grantee and to apply for a permit to stay for ricongiungimento familiare.
Enrichment activity during your stay: Each June, the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission hosts a meeting where U.S. grantees returning to the States after their grant and Italian grantees departing to begin their grant meet, interact, network, and often start relationships that continue in the United States. The Meeting--a celebration of the Fulbright experience--is held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the United States. Italian alumni are also invited to participate in the day's activities.
HELPFUL LINKS
A listing of Italian universities and access to their homepages can be found at A valuable search engine can be found at https://cercauniversita.cineca.it/ https://www.universitaly.it/
Useful links with information about the Italian academic system can be found at and the MIUR website. https://www.cimea.it/EN/
To view more about life in Italy, visit here: https://madeinitaly.gov.it/en/
For further information on the awards, contact Barbara Pizzella, Senior Program Officer at the Commission, at bpizzella@fulbright.it, and Chiara Petrilli, Program Officer, at cpetrilli@fulbright.it.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Academic calendar: the academic year starts in September and ends in July. Teaching activities are organized in two terms: September to December (1st term) and February to May (2nd term).