Research Grant on Education - One Grant worth €200,000

The call is open to researchers of any nationality and university, holding a Ph.D. in Economics or related fields. The goal is to support academic research projects that contribute to improving education in countries within the UniCredit perimeter, promoting rigorous and innovative studies capable of addressing the most pressing challenges in the educational field.

Grant Details

UniCredit Foundation will award one research grant to projects that generate knowledge with a lasting impact on education. Methodological diversity, multidisciplinary teams, and collaboration with communities and educational practices are strongly encouraged. Priority will be given to research focused on students aged 11 to 19 (lower and upper secondary school).

• Total amount: €200,000 (gross)
• Duration: 3 years

Eligibility Requirements

Proposals to this Research Grant on Education program must be for academic research projects that aim to study education, contributing to the improvement of education in any country of the UniCredit Group perimeter¹.

Preference will be given to research targeted to young people in the 11-19 age group (lower and upper secondary school) and focused on:
• tackling school dropouts
• assessing the effects of early tracking
• defining the scope for remedial education and evaluating tutoring programs for disadvantaged children
• identifying appropriate orientation programs for the school careers and the job market.

Proposals for activities other than research are not eligible (e.g., professional development, curriculum development, scholarships, capital projects).

Proposals for research focused on areas other than education are not eligible.

Proposals that focus on countries outside the UniCredit perimeter are not eligible.

Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs applying for this grant must have a Ph.D. in Economics (or related academic fields). Graduate students may be part of the research team but cannot be the main PI of the proposal.

Nationality of the applicants is not relevant as an eligibility requirement.

Proposals must be submitted in English.

If projects have already received funds from other sources, this must be declared in the application.

Projects proposed may not span over 3 years in duration and may initiate from July 2026.

Key Dates

• Application submission deadline: 2 April 2026, by 11:59 PM Central European Time (CET)
• Announcement of winners: by 15 May 2026

How to apply

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online application platform, accessible via the “Apply” button located above this section.

Applications submitted via other methods or after the deadline will not be considered.

The full list of required documents is detailed in the official call for applications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the document carefully before starting the application process.

Application Procedure

1. Click on the “Apply” button to access the online application portal.
2. First-time users will need to register by following the guided procedure. Upon registration, a confirmation email will be sent. Click the link in the email to activate your account.
3. The application can be saved, edited, and updated multiple times before final submission.
4. Ensure all required documents are uploaded in PDF format as specified in the official call.
5. Submit your application only when it is complete in every part.
6. Once submitted, no further changes or additions will be possible.

UniCredit Foundation

UniCredit Foundation is the corporate foundation of the UniCredit Group, established to strengthen the Group’s commitment to creating social value in the communities where it operates. It is a non-profit, independent entity, fully funded by UniCredit.

The Foundation promotes initiatives in the fields of education, research, and social solidarity, with a strong focus on young people and social inclusion. It supports high-impact projects, scholarships, research awards, and partnerships with academia and the non-profit sector, helping to reduce inequalities and foster talent.

To know more about UniCredit Foundation, please check the website www.unicreditfoundation.org

^{1 _{Unicredit Perimeter: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia}}