Luca Salvatici Memorial Thesis Award 2026 Call for Applications Department of Economics – Roma Tre University
The Department of Economics at Roma Tre University is pleased to announce the 2026 edition of the Luca Salvatici Memorial Thesis Award, established to recognise an outstanding Master’s thesis in economics and to encourage talented young graduates to continue pursuing rigorous, original and policy-relevant research.
The award, worth €2,000, is open to graduates of Italian universities who defended their thesis in 2025 or 2026.
Remembering Luca Salvatici
The award was established in memory of Professor Luca Salvatici, who passed away in May 2025.
Luca was Professor of Economic Policy at Roma Tre University and Director of the Manlio Rossi-Doria Centre for Economic and Social Research. An internationally recognised scholar of international trade, agricultural economics and global value chains, his work combined rigorous economic analysis with a deep and sustained interest in the real-world implications of economic policies.
Yet Luca’s contribution to university life went far beyond his academic achievements. He was a dedicated teacher, a generous colleague and a constant source of support and intellectual encouragement for students and younger researchers. His curiosity, openness to dialogue and genuine enjoyment of shared research made him a deeply valued member of our academic community.
He played an especially active role in postgraduate education, including as Coordinator of the Master’s Degree Programme in Environment, Labour and Sustainable Development Economics at Roma Tre University.
With this award, his colleagues wish to honour both his intellectual legacy and the generosity and warmth with which he contributed to the life of the Department. In his spirit, the prize is intended to support a new generation of economists willing to ask relevant questions and address them with curiosity, intellectual honesty and methodological rigour.
The Award
The successful candidate will receive a monetary prize of €2,000.
Eligibility
Applications are invited from graduates who:
· have obtained a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale) from an Italian university;
· have successfully defended a thesis in economics between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2026, and in any case by the application deadline;
· submit a thesis written in either Italian or English.
Theses may address any field of economics. Interdisciplinary work with a strong economic component is also welcome. Particular consideration will be given to theses on economic policy, the effects of policy interventions, and their evaluation.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed by a Selection Committee appointed by the Department of Economics at Roma Tre University.
Theses will be evaluated on the basis of:
· originality and relevance of the research question;
· quality and rigour of the theoretical and/or empirical analysis;
· appropriate and informed use of methods, data and sources;
· contribution to economic understanding and, where relevant, to public policy debate;
· clarity of structure, argument and presentation.
The Committee will seek to reward a thesis that combines analytical quality with intellectual curiosity and a clear understanding of the economic and social relevance of the questions addressed.
How to Apply
Applicants can find the call for application and the application form at the following link: Link identifier #identifier__188811-1Bandi e concorsi - Dipartimento di Economia
Applicants should submit the following documents in PDF format from 15 October 2026 and by 31 December 2026:
o the completed application form;
o the full thesis;
o an abstract in English of no more than 500 words;
o a curriculum vitae;
o a valid ID document.
The subject line of the email should read: “Luca Salvatici Memorial Thesis Award 2026 – Surname, First name”.
Results
The outcome of the selection process will be announced on the Department of Economics website by March 2027. The successful candidate will also be notified directly by email.
For further information, please contact Link identifier #identifier__198582-2didattica.economia@uniroma3.it