Summer Program

Since its inception in 2014, the Italia Innovation Program has established itself as a unique and transformative academic experience. Each year, we meticulously select a class of exceptional undergraduate and graduate scholars from the world’s leading universities. Our scholars come from top academic institutions across the globe, representing a diverse range of fields, backgrounds, and perspectives. This diversity is a cornerstone of our approach, as it enriches the learning environment and drives deeper, more innovative dialogues.

What sets Italia Innovation apart is the direct engagement our scholars have with Italy’s most influential leaders. We carefully curate a network of local stakeholders—CEOs, entrepreneurs, politicians, and social leaders—who embody the dual essence of Italia Innovation. These leaders present both the successes of Italy as a model for innovation and the challenges that need to be addressed to unlock the country’s full potential. Through firsthand experiences, site visits, and deep dialogues, our scholars tackle open-ended research questions that push them to consider what’s next for Italy and beyond.

The program’s mission goes beyond academic exploration; it aims to immerse participants in the cultural values that define Italy, such as aesthetics, quality, and sustainability. This exposure not only informs their understanding of contemporary Italy but also inspires them to consider how these values can shape global innovation in the future.

Our distinguished faculty is another defining element. Every fall, we identify the most relevant areas of knowledge for the upcoming innovation discourse and travel to leading universities worldwide to engage with professors and researchers at the forefront of these fields. We then invite them to join our faculty, creating a truly international and interdisciplinary academic community. The result is an environment where scholars and professors from diverse institutions and disciplines collaborate, debate, and learn together—a rare opportunity in the academic world.