Italy
2 Fulbright/Casten Family Foundation Award at the University of Gastronomic Sciences
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodOctober StartGrant Length13 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
Two awards are available to attend the Master in World Food Studies https://www.unisg.it/en/programs-admissions/master-in-world-food-studies/ at the University of Gastronomic Sciences Pollenzo, Italy
The Master's program provides an advanced introduction to the world's food cultures and systems with an emphasis on issues of food efficiency and food sovereignty. The program intends to train students to become holistic gastronomes, i.e. gastronomes who can understand and critically reflect upon food culture and history; food anthropology and ecology; and sensory and aesthetic features linked to local food production, gastronomies, and their attached sociabilities. The aim of the Master's program is to provide students with the means to become professionals who will be cultural mediators in food production, distribution, marketing/communication, as well as in the educational and food culture and systems. The Master's program will use the case of the Italian food culture and system and the gastronomies of the world to enlighten global issues related to culture, efficiency, and food justice inspired by the fundamental principles of the Slow Food International movement (Good, Clean, and Fair), and it provides students with multidisciplinary knowledge in food studies. Each course combines theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom with practical skills acquired during work experience and field trips.
The Master's includes a full program of practical training (study trips and internships). The program is conducted in English.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin on October 1, 2026, and will end on November 1, 2027.
The Master's Program requires 10 months of class lectures, workshops, and three field trips in Italy, Europe, and outside Europe, and an approximately 14-week internship to be pursued in Italy or a final research project, to be pursued in Italy. The exact start and end dates of the Master's program will be confirmed during Summer 2026.
Orientation
The grantees will be required to participate in a two-to-three-day orientation program organized by the Fulbright Commission in early October 2026.
An online pre-departure orientation will be offered approximately two months before departure.
Candidate Profile
These grants are intended for candidates with a special interest in the Slow Food movement and awareness of food culture and food sector issues. Applications must be consistent with the University of Gastronomic Sciences' mission and program.
Preference in this program is for graduating seniors.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Information about Italy and life in Italy can be found on the following websites: https://www.italia.it/en, https://madeinitaly.gov.it/en/
Eligibility
12 Months
According to Italian laws and policies, dual nationals are eligible to apply. However, candidates with significant experience in Italy will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates who have resided in Italy during the year preceding the grant might be considered ineligible depending on the length of the period and reasons.
Candidates who are in Italy with a study or work visa during the 12 months prior to the competition deadline, who reside in Italy at the time of the deadline, or who will travel to Italy with a study or work visa during the selection process and the awarding phase are not eligible to participate in the program, with the following exceptions: those who are in Italy on a tourist visa and those who are on a study visa for a summer or one-semester U.S. university study abroad program are eligible to apply.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In your Fulbright online application, for Award Name please select Fulbright/Casten Family Foundation Award at the University of Gastronomic Sciences from the drop down menu.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Additional Information: Italian language proficiency is not a requirement in the candidate selection process, but is strongly recommended. While the program is delivered in English, applicants should include plans for language study in their Fulbright applications, and selected applicants should begin studying the language as soon as feasible since language abilities will greatly enhance the Fulbright experience.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
The grantees will be enrolled in the University of Gastronomic Sciences, Master in World Food Studies. Applicants are not required to apply to the University of Gastronomic Sciences or include a letter of affiliation with their Fulbright application. Once applicants are awarded a grant, they will be requested to complete an application to the University of Gastronomic Sciences.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Housing will also be covered as part of the award during the 10-month Master's course. Meals will be covered during the week except Saturdays and Sundays.
The award provides an international travel allowance of Euro 1.100 (approx $1,153) to cover the costs of a round-trip ticket as well as an incidentals allowance of €1.000 (approx $1.048).
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
No monthly stipend is provided, but this award includes tuition, fees, housing, and an incidentals allowance.
Additional Grant Benefits
Fulbright Annual Meeting: 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.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
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 ($1,476 -$2,620 approx.). Rent is usually the major expense, ranging between €600-€1.500 ($629-$1,572 approx.). Individuals’ lifestyles, and choosing to live downtown versus 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
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Housing will be provided by the University.
Entry Visa
U.S. Grantees must enter Italy on a study visa covering the authorized length of the grant. Fulbright-Casten FF-UNIGS cannot be accompanied by dependents.
The possibility to stay for longer periods is subject to the provisions and restrictions of Italian Law. Italian embassy and consulates are the sole authorities in matters of visa issues.
Detailed information about visas and the application process is available at http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en.
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 the grantee's stay in Italy. 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.