Academy International

Galileo – Festival Della Scienza e Innovazione
Academy Project

Padova, 7 – 10 May 2026

Application deadline: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Applications are now open for the accommodation grants to participate in the Academy Program of the Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation. This is a unique opportunity for networking, exchange, and specialized training—taking place in Padua from Friday, May 8, to Sunday, May 10, 2026. The call is open to Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and ITS students from all Italian universities.

The Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation is promoted by ItalyPost and the Municipality of Padua, and curated by Goodnet Territori in Rete. The director of the event is Giovanni Caprara, journalist and scientific columnist for the Corriere della Sera.

Interested students can choose to submit their application for one of two available options:

• Option 1 | Company visits + participation in the Galileo Festival: The Academy will run from Thursday, May 7, to Sunday, May 10, for a total of 4 days / 3 nights.

• Option 2 | Participation in the Galileo Festival: The Academy will run from Friday, May 8, to Sunday, May 10, for a total of 3 days / 2 nights.

The deadline to submit your application is Sunday, April 19.

Fellowships to Participate in the Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation Academy

Once again this year, the Galileo Festival pays special attention to involving young people from Italian universities, aiming to offer them a unique opportunity for networking, exchange, and specialized training. To this end, the organization offers a selected number of university students the chance to apply for the Galileo Festival Academy and access the fellowships.

THE EVENT PROGRAM

The event program is currently being finalized and will be available in the coming weeks on the website www.galileofestival.it

GUIDED TOURS Students selected for Option 1 (Guided tours + Festival) will have the opportunity to participate in guided tours of selected companies, representing true case studies of product or process innovation. The guided tours will be open to students selected for Option 1 and will take place on the afternoon of Thursday, May 7, and the morning of Friday, May 8.

THE GREAT THEMES AND PROTAGONISTS OF PAST EDITIONS

Every year, the Galileo Festival confirms itself as the premier venue for dialogue between science, business, and society. For the 2026 edition as well, the schedule will offer a journey through the great challenges of innovation: from the Space Economy to Life Sciences, and from the frontiers of Artificial Intelligence to the Energy Transition. 

To guarantee the high scientific and educational value of the event, past editions have featured some of the leading figures on the global stage:

• Nobel Laureates and World-Renowned Scientists: Figures such as Giorgio Parisi (2021 Nobel Prize in Physics) and Andre K. Gejm (Nobel Prize in Physics) have engaged with the Festival’s audience, alongside research luminaries like Life Senator Elena Cattaneo, Maria Chiara Carrozza (President of the CNR), Guido Tonelli (CERN), and Fabrizio Pregliasco.

• The Frontier of Health and Life Sciences: A constant focus is dedicated to well-being and the medicine of the future, with contributions from Rocco Bellantone (President of the Higher Institute of Health), Giuseppe Remuzzi (Mario Negri Institute), Antonella Viola, Rosario Rizzuto (National Center for Gene Therapy), and Maria Rescigno (Humanitas).

• Space, Technology, and AI: The Festival regularly hosts those who are building the future, from ESA astronauts Paolo Nespoli and Luca Parmitano, to space leaders like Teodoro Valente (President of the ASI) and Simonetta Di Pippo, up to pioneers of computing and robotics such as Antonio Zoccoli (President of the ICSC Foundation), Alfio Quarteroni, Simone Montangero, Rita Cucchiara, Barbara Mazzolai, and Cecilia Laschi.

• Industry Leaders: The dialogue with those who transform innovation into productive reality is fundamental. Among the guests who have shared their managerial vision are Alberto Bombassei (Brembo), Alberto Vacchi (Ima), Mario Moretti Polegato (Geox), Elena Zambon, Aldo Bisio (Vodafone), Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos (Autogrill), Massimo Claudio Comparini (Thales Alenia Space), David Avino (Argotec), and Roberto Siagri.

Benefits for participants

Over the past fourteen years, more than 14,000 selected participants—Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students—have taken part in the Academy Program. Through our activities, we offer participants a unique opportunity to meet and exchange views with professionals and industry experts, participate in training activities, and join an international network of peers studying in the same disciplinary field or sharing the same interests.

The Galileo Festival Academy provides 200 fellowships that include:

• preferential access and reserved seating at the event’s activities, with the possibility of direct dialogue with the speakers at the end of the sessions;

• guided tours of innovative companies (for those participating in Option 1 of the Academy)

• accommodation in shared rooms (triple/quadruple) in partner facilities for the entire duration of the stay, which varies depending on the option chosen by the student

• lunches and dinners with a set menu in facilities that will be indicated by the organization;

• transfers from the hotels to the Festival venues (where necessary) and to the selected companies during the tour itinerary (for those participating in Option 1)

The fellowships cover 50% of the participation costs. To confirm their attendance at the event, the students selected for the fellowship are required to pay a participation fee that varies depending on the chosen option:

• Option 1 | Company guided tours + participation in the Galileo Festival (4 days / 3 nights): 360.00 euros

• Option 2 | Participation in the Galileo Festival (3 days / 2 nights): 260.00 euros

Travel expenses to and from Padua are the responsibility of the selected students. Upon actual participation in the program of events defined by the festival’s scientific direction, an official certificate of participation will be issued.

How to apply for a fellowship

The Galileo Festival Academy is offering 200 fellowships. To apply, simply fill out the form available by clicking here by Sunday, April 19

Selected students are required to follow the program of events defined by the Galileo Festival organizers and to participate actively in the activities scheduled during the event.

The selection of candidates will be at the sole discretion of the organizing committee; applications will be reviewed and approved on a weekly basis until all available positions are filled.

Our staff will provide selected students with all necessary information regarding board, lodging, and the schedule of events, and will communicate the procedures for the payment of the participation fee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you have any doubts or questions regarding how to fill out the application form, the organization of your stay at the Galileo Festival, or what to do in case of cancellation after paying the participation fee, click here to find the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Per maggiori informazioni

Contattare dal lunedì al venerdì, dalle 9 alle 18, ai seguenti recapiti:

ItalyPost / Academy Project

academy@italypost.it

T. 0490991240