Francesco Morelli GRANT 2025
Eligible graduates may apply independently and proactively by completing the online form available here no later than midnight (Italian time zone) on 15 October 2025.
Applicants must upload a PDF outlining the development idea for their thesis project. The Foundation may request further materials at its discretion.
The working language of the grant is English, and all submissions must be in English—except the original thesis document, which may remain in its original language.
The Francesco Morelli Grant is open to students who graduate in IED Network between September 2024 and July 2025 from the following institutions and programs:
- IED Italy: DAPL and DASL programs
- Accademia Aldo Galli: DAPL, DASL, and five-year Restoration programs
- IED Spain: four-year IED Diplomas, TGEAS and BA (Hons) programs
- IED Brazil: Bachelor’s Degree programs
Both individual and group thesis projects will be considered.
The Francesco Morelli Foundation is committed to bringing young people closer to the world of culture and creative professions, supporting entrepreneurship in design and promoting projects capable of generating tangible social impact.
To this end, it is offering a total Grant of €100,000, awarded to the most promising thesis projects, selected for their originality, innovation, sustainability, and impact.
The Grant also includes a package of financial support and dedicated mentoring to guide young creatives through the planning and implementation of their ideas.
✑ Phase 1: Training, Business Plan & Mentoring
Selected applicants will be notified by 15 November 2025. They will then begin a 6-week training program including workshops on business planning and one-on-one mentorship.
By the end of the training session, grant recipients will have prepared their own business plan, which will be presented to the Assessment Committee by 7 February 2026. Plans will be evaluated based on:
- Their impact on the development of the original thesis
- Alignment with eligibility criteria
- Coherence, clarity, and financial sustainability
✑ Phase 2: Funding and Project Development
Applicants selected for Phase 2 will be announced by 28 February 2026. These projects will receive financial support, determined based on the eligible costs and the potential for impactful implementation, and continue with ongoing mentorship (every 4–5 weeks).
The development phase must be completed by 30 November 2026.
