International Academy

Trieste Next – Scientific Research Festival
International Academy

Application Deadline: 21 September 2025
___

Applications are now open for the Trieste Next International Academy, a 3-day intensive program that will take place in Trieste (Italy) on September 26-28, 2025, on the occasion of the 2025 Edition of the Scientific Research Festival, promoted by the Municipality of Trieste, the University of Trieste and ItalyPost Group.

The International Academy Program is specifically designed for BA’s, MA’s and PhD’s students and offers the possibility to attend the 14th Edition of Trieste Next, thus granting access to:

• Over 60 talks, conferences, workshops with renowned scientists, researchers and professionals
• Special sessions on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Medical Sciences and Biotechnologies
• Guided tours and visits to renowned Science Research Centres based in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italian region
• Opportunity for PhD students to present their research during the poster sessions dedicated the Festival’s thematic areas

The Trieste Next International Academy is aimed at students who possess at least a B2 level of English proficiency, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), to ensure effective participation in all activities conducted in English.

Note: Italian-speaking students may apply for the Trieste Next Academy.

Selected PhD students from the academy will have the opportunity to present their research during three poster sessions each dedicated to one of the thematic areas of artificial intelligence/robotics, medical sciences and biotechnologies.

Participating in the Trieste Next International Academy

Since its first edition in 2012, Trieste Next has aimed at addressing key issues of the scientific and cultural debate: from food resources to water management, from energy to sustainability. The 2025 Edition, The Life Within. Dialogues between Sciences and Technologies, will offer the chance to outline the scientific agenda for the coming years and propose far-reaching reflections on the new frontiers of Research and Innovation with a focus on sustainability. Trieste Next Festival will thus be an opportunity to promote a fruitful dialogue between STEM disciplines, humanities and social sciences, with a calendar of over 100 events and the participation of over 300 speakers.

Past International participants

Edvard Moser, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine; Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Laureate for Chemistry; Helga Nowotny, professor emerita of Science and Technology Studies Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, former chairwoman European Research Council; Tahar Ben Jelloun, writer and essayist; Chris Smith, clinical lecturer in Virology University of Cambridge; Rama Gheerawo, director Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art London; Peter Wadhams, professor emeritus of Ocean Physics, head of the Polar Ocean Physics Group University of Cambridge; Uday Kishore, senior lecturer in Immunobiology and Medical Microbiology Brunel University London; Jan Olof Lundqvist, senior researcher SIWI-Stockholm International Water Institute; Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, professor of Internet Governance and Regulation Oxford Internet Institute; Roger Beachy, professor emeritus in Biology Washington University, former Executive director World Food Center University of California; Cameron Neylon, professor of Research Communication Centre for Culture and Technology Curtin University; Julian Nida-Rümelin, philosopher and professor of Philosophy and Political theory Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, former Minister of Culture Federal Republic of Germany; Segenet Kelemu, director general International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology; Jos de Blok, founder and CEO Buurtzorg; Steve Chan, senior fellow Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership; Kathleen Richardson, professor of Ethics and Culture of Robots and AI De Montfort University; Miguel Benasayag, philosopher and psychoanalyst; Thierry Pedrazzini, director of Experimental Cardiology Unit University Hospital in Lausanne; Dominick Salvatore, distinguished professor of Economics Fordham University.

Benefits for selected students

Since 2012, more than 13,000 BA’s, MA’s and PhD’s students attended our Academy Programme. Through our initiative, we offer the unique opportunity to meet and discuss with Internationally-renowned scientists and professionals and to join a network of international students sharing similar educational and professional backgrounds.

Our fellowship program grants:

• access to the official schedule of events: guided visits to International Research Centres and participation to the special sessions on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Sciences and Biotechnologies*;
• full board accommodation for two nights in affiliated facilities;
• lunches and dinners in selected facilities with a fixed menù for the entire duration of the stay bus transfers to/from the hotel and location of the event (when necessary);
• a shared group experience alongside other International and Italian students;
• an official Certificate of Participation, which can be included in your CV, issued at the end of the event.

Selected students to the Trieste Next International Academy are required to pay a participation fee of 260,00 Euros.

The Academy Programme does not cover travel expenses to/from the city of residence.

* Each session will kick off with a guided visit to a Research Centre and will be followed by a program of 5-6 seminars over the course of 3 days.

How to apply

Perspective students may apply to our fellowship program by clicking here.

Applications will be selected on a weekly basis following criteria such as Resume, Course of study/Research project, Motivation letter. Our team will provide selected students all information regarding calendar of activities, accommodation, meals, as well as details to pay participation fees.

Call for Poster Sessions (PhD Students Only): the Trieste Next International Academy will include Poster Sessions, one for each thematic section, dedicated to PhD students willing to present their personal research work during the Festival. Selected Academy participants, interested in presenting their research, must submit their proposal, which will be evaluated by the scientific commission based on the innovative contribution of the research work and the potential for creating dialogue among students. 

Note: PhD Italian students are also invited to apply for the Poster Sessions, by presenting their application for the International Academy program.

Our team will provide selected students all information regarding calendar of activities, accommodation, meals, as well as details to pay participation fees.

For more information

For further information, feel free to contact us!

Please also refer to our FAQ page.

Monday-Friday, 9 am – 6 pm
M. internationalrelations@italypost.it
Ph. +39 0490991240
Whatsapp +39 3517913960