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 scholar will teach one or two courses at the undergraduate or graduate level - four to six hours per week. The main style of teaching will be based on lectures and seminars. The average class size is approximately 80-120 students.
The specifics of the course(s) will be decided depending on the specialization of the scholar. The scholar is required to draft the syllabus in agreement with the hosting Department.
Classes are usually held on two or three days, with the rest of the week free for individual research and other activities.
Other activities:
The university heartily recommends the development of joint research activities and collaboration with Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome (LUISS) professors.
The scholar will be able to conduct research with Luiss professors, and participate in or lead seminars or Ph.D. lectures at Luiss University and other universities or institutions linked to Luiss University.
During the grant, the scholar may also be invited to take part in academic meetings, conferences, seminars, and other program-related activities organized by the University.
Academics wishing to pursue collaborative research projects and/or establish partnerships with their universities are welcome.
Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome (LUISS), https://www.luiss.edu/programs
Department of Business and Management, https://impresaemanagement.luiss.it/en
Department of Economics and Finance, https://economiaefinanza.luiss.it/en
Department of Law, https://giurisprudenza.luiss.it/en
Department of Political Science, https://scienzepolitiche.luiss.it/en
Four months
Possible grant dates:
Fall Term: September 1, 2026 - December 15, 2026
Spring Term: January 15, 2027 - May 15, 2027
Business and Management (Business Administration, Strategy, Marketing, Finance and Banking, Organization, Computer science)
Economics and Finance (Asset management, Asset pricing, Macroeconomics, Public policies, Corporate finance, Economic growth and development )
Law (Public Comparative Law, International Law, International Private Law, Business Law, Innovation Law)
Politics and International Relations (Transatlantic relations, Security and Defense, US role in the world, EU politics and policies, Post-war comparative political history, Sociology, Political Philosophy)
Located in the eternal city of Rome, Luiss is an international university specializing in the fields of social sciences, providing a diverse learning environment based on entrepreneurship, responsibility, and sustainability.
At Luiss, we inspire and enable a better world, believing that social sciences play - and will continue to play - a central role in the emerging digital society.
Since its founding, Luiss has developed privileged relationships with the business community, through its affiliation with Confindustria, the General Confederation of Italian industry, as well as with legal studios, government institutions, and civil society.
Luiss has also forged special relationships with European and Italian institutions, thanks to the numerous faculty members who have served within them.
The Luiss educational model combines academic rigor with practical relevance.
Its main features are:
Research-led: Luiss faculty members are top experts in their fields, actively engaged in their research communities as well as in their professional and management communities.
Experience-based: Luiss relies upon a highly selected pool of top executives, chartered consultants, and diplomats to discuss topics they experience systematically.
Problem-driven: our programs require students to engage in projects and research, in which they are expected to develop solutions to real-world problems.
The Luiss model is strengthened by a lifelong learning approach that challenges students’ intellectual curiosity, inspires individual effort and self-discovery, and encourages independent and critical thinking.
The University is organized into four departments (Economics and Finance, Business and Management, Political Science, Law) and two Schools.
Undergraduate School offers a wide range of bachelor's and one single cycle master's degree programs: Economics and Business; Management and Artificial Intelligence; Global Law; Politics, Philosophy, and Economics; Business Administration; Political Science; Economics and Management; Single Cycle Master’s Degree in Law.
Graduate School offers a wide range of master's degree programs: Corporate Finance; Economics and Finance; Strategic Management; Innovation and Sustainability; Global Management and Politics; Data Science and Management; International Relations; Management; Policies and Governance in Europe; Marketing; Law; Digital Innovation and Sustainability; Digital Marketing; Digital Strategic Management; Administration, Finance, and Control; Governance, Administration, and Policy.
Top-ranked, highly innovative in education with its inquiry-based learning model, truly international with over 50% of programs in English.
According to the nation’s leading ranking system, Luiss is the best private university in Italy. QS ranking considers Luiss' political science department among the top 50 in the world. According to the Financial Times, Luiss' Master's in Management is ranked among the world’s top 100 master's programs. Since 2015, Luiss has ranked in the top 1% in the world for its business school and Department of Business and Management.
In the last few years, Luiss University has engaged in an internationalization process aimed at enriching its international partnerships.
Luiss EnLabs, Startup factory, hosting 40 startups
Milano Luiss Hub, For makers and students - a digital manufacturing lab in the heart of Milan’s startup scene
Amsterdam Fashion Academy, Luiss Business School’s Hub for international activities and an inspirational venue for young people in Northern Europe
“Veneto delle Dolomiti” Hub: the new advanced training center of the Luiss Business School, particularly aimed at companies in Northern Italy, established in collaboration with Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti and local public institutions.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
All teaching will be in English; additional language proficiency is not required. No interpreters will be provided. Conversational Italian can be helpful to better integrate into the local community, but is not mandatory.
Scholars with a strong research track record focused on the major topics of the department selected are preferred.
Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome (LUISS)
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 €6,250 for a total of €25,000 for four months (approximately $6,489 and $25,957; 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 (approximately $1,155; the amount may change depending on exchange rate fluctuations). The allowance is disbursed in Euro currency.
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 ($1,470-$2,625 approx.). Rent is usually the major expense, ranging between €600-€1.500 ($631-$1,575 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 expats.
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…;
Assistance in finding suitable accommodation in Rome will be provided. The approximate monthly cost for an apartment ranges around $1,300-$1,700 ($1,365-$1,766). The University will also facilitate access to restaurants, sports facilities, health structures, shops, and theaters.
AII the resources and facilities accessible to Luiss professors will be accessible to the hosted scholar: library facilities, access to computer network, and other IT resources and access to the university cafeteria.
Shared office space and the other facilities will be shared with the Luiss academic community. Access to a photocopying machine, computer network, on-campus WiFi connection, and a university email address will be available.
Luiss has stipulated a variety of agreements with cultural associations, insurance companies, hotels and restaurants, sporting centers, pharmacies, and different types of stores. The complete list of signed conventions can be found at this link: https://www.luiss.it/studenti/convenzioni
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.
To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards in Italy for 2026-27, 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 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.
Fulbright Italy Alumni Meeting September 30, 2019, at Museum MAXXI in Rome
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.