2026 Modigliani Research Grant

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the requirements established in the 2026 official call. In particular:

1. The grant is intended for outstanding early-career researchers in economics and finance.

2. Applicants may be of any nationality.

3. Applicants must be employed at an eligible European university.

4. The university must be located in a country where the UniCredit Group operates.

5. Applicants should have an appropriate academic and research background in economics, finance or a closely related area.

6. Applicants must propose a research project relevant to the objectives of the Modigliani Research Grant.

7. The proposed research should demonstrate academic quality, originality and potential to contribute to research in economics or finance.

8. Applicants must provide the information and supporting materials required by the official application procedure.

9. The application must be submitted through the official UniCredit Foundation application system.

10. Applications must be submitted by 16 October 2026.

Research Areas

The Modigliani Research Grant supports research in economics and finance. Potential areas may include:

1. Microeconomics.

2. Macroeconomics.

3. Econometrics.

4. Financial economics.

5. Banking and financial markets.

6. International economics.

7. International finance.

8. Labour economics.

9. Development economics.

10. Public economics.

11. Economic policy.

12. Industrial organisation.

13. Behavioural economics.

14. Economic history.

15. Other research areas within economics and finance that satisfy the objectives of the programme.

The official call focuses on the broad fields of economics and finance, so applicants should demonstrate clearly how their proposed project fits within these areas.

Benefits

1. €25,000 gross per year for each successful recipient.

2. The grant may be renewed for a second year.

3. Maximum potential funding of €50,000 gross per recipient over two years.

4. Financial support for an innovative research project in economics or finance.

5. An opportunity to devote resources to developing an original research project.

6. Support for early-career researchers developing their academic research profile.

7. Recognition through a competitive research grant associated with UniCredit Foundation.

8. An opportunity to advance research that may contribute to academic knowledge and wider economic or financial discussions.

9. At least one of the four grants will be awarded to a female candidate. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Who Is This Opportunity For?

This research grant is particularly relevant to:

1. Early-career economists.

2. Early-career researchers in finance.

3. Postdoctoral and other early-career academics developing independent research projects.

4. Researchers employed at eligible European universities.

5. Academics developing innovative research in economics or finance.

6. Researchers with a clearly defined project that requires research support.

7. Researchers of any nationality who satisfy the institutional eligibility conditions.

8. Early-career academics seeking competitive recognition for high-quality research.

What Makes the Grant Different?

The Modigliani Research Grant should not be confused with a general scholarship for students.

The programme is structured as research support for researchers who are already employed at eligible European universities. The funding is attached to a research project and is intended to support early-career academic research in economics and finance.

This means that applicants should focus their application on the quality and significance of the proposed research rather than simply describing their academic qualifications or requesting financial assistance for a degree programme.

Research Proposal

A strong application should clearly communicate:

1. The central research question.

2. The academic problem the project addresses.

3. The relevant economic or financial literature.

4. The originality of the proposed research.

5. The methodology or analytical approach that will be used.

6. The expected contribution to existing academic knowledge.

7. Why the research is relevant to economics or finance.

8. The expected research outputs and academic significance.

Applicants should ensure that their proposal is consistent with the official call and demonstrates a clearly defined research programme that can realistically be undertaken within the grant period.

Application Process

1. Read the official 2026 Modigliani Research Grant call carefully.

2. Confirm that your current university is eligible.

3. Confirm that your university is located in a country where UniCredit Group operates.

4. Confirm that your research falls within economics, finance or an appropriately related area.

5. Develop a clearly defined research project.

6. Prepare the research proposal and supporting academic materials required by the application system.

7. Clearly explain the research question, originality, methodology and expected contribution.

8. Complete the application through the official UniCredit Foundation application platform.

9. Check all information and uploaded documents before submitting.

10. Submit the completed application by 16 October 2026.

11. Monitor official communication from UniCredit Foundation regarding the selection process and results.

Important Information

1. The application period runs from 20 July 2026 to 16 October 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

2. The application deadline is 16 October 2026.

3. Four research grants will be awarded.

4. Each grant provides €25,000 gross per year.

5. The grant can be renewed for a second year.

6. The maximum total value is €50,000 gross per recipient.

7. The grant has a maximum duration of two years. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

8. Applicants may be of any nationality.

9. Applicants must be employed at eligible European universities located in countries where UniCredit Group operates.

10. The programme is intended for early-career researchers, not general undergraduate or Master's scholarship applicants.

11. At least one of the four grants will be awarded to a female candidate.

12. Winners are expected to be announced by 1 February 2027. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

13. Applicants should consult the complete official call for the precise application requirements and institutional eligibility conditions.

Key Dates

Application Opens: 20 July 2026

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

Winner Announcement: By 1 February 2027

Number of Grants: 4

Grant Amount: €25,000 gross per year

Maximum Duration: 2 years

Maximum Total Grant: €50,000 gross per recipient