The EoF Academy is an international young scholars network that was born to promote and conduct scientific research on themes related to the Economy of Francesco. The EoF Academy program aims to help young scholars that are committed or aspire to an academic career to attain and explore the required scientific background on topics relevant to the EoF community. The program is intended for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and promising master students in economics, social sciences, or related scientific fields. For this purpose, EoF Academy annually schedules an education activity plan and awards fellowship grants for these young scholars. 

Mission Statement 

The mission of the EoF Academy is to promote scientific research in the main research areas of the EoF. Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research are particularly encouraged. In this direction, EoF Academy researchers enhance their skills by attending academic activities scheduled for them (crash courses, research seminars, summer schools, and other meetings). Thus, the researchers will be enabled to elaborate high-quality academic projects with societal implications thanks to these activities. To reach this goal, every researcher will be assisted by an EoF Academy Fellow to mentor them and follow the progress of their work. Furthermore, the EoF Academy cooperates with international universities and institutions to develop joint research and educational activities. The broad objectives of the proposed cooperation are to promote cultural, educational, and scholarly exchange through technical interchange with the parties involved as academic partners.

The EoF Academy is composed of the following:

  • Academy Researchers Fellows: Ph.D. students/postdoctoral researchers/promising master students (with or without fellowship) selected through a standardized procedure: application stage, possible supervisor selection, shortlisting panel, interviews, and outcomes. The Academy researchers follow a one-year activity program (lectures, scientific papers, promoting initiatives) – renewable for one year.
  • Academy Senior Fellows: researchers and professors under 40 years old. The Academy Fellows are involved in education and research activities. Their primary role is to guide EoF Academy researchers in their research path. 
  • Advisory Board: professors of international prestige close to EoF (e.g., Helen Alford, Gael Giraud, Kate Raworth, Jeffrey Sachs, Vandana Shiva, Stefano Zamagni, Alejandro Cañadas, Anouk Grevin, Viory Janeo, Valentina Rotondi, etc.). They will give special lectures and Crash Courses for the EoF Academy.
  • Academic Partners: CIIESS at Ibero University (Mexico); IMDOSOC – Mexican Institute of Christian Social Thought (Mexico); LUMSA Università di Roma (Italy); Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy); Faculty of Social Sciences, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas – PUST (Italy), St Mary’s University – Twickenham, London (UK); CLeF Christian Leadership Formation (Lebanon).

[DISCOVER THE RESEARCH PROJECTS COMPLETED IN MAY 2026]

EoF Academy Activities

1. EoF Research Fellowship program. The annual EoF Research Fellowship program is open to young doctoral-level or master students in economics, social sciences, or related academic fields from all countries to help young economists who are committed to or are aspiring for an academic career to achieve the necessary scientific background in particular with regards to EoF-related topics of interest. Students attending the EoF Academy have the opportunity to intensify their knowledge in their fields of study and research and to get to know peer-leading researchers in an interdisciplinary co-generative environment. To achieve this goal, annual small research fellowships are granted. After the evaluation and selection process fostered by the Scientific Committee, the Researchers take on an annual online program of activities. The program consists of a mix of seminars, lectures, and workshops. In particular, the Research Seminars occur monthly. The EoF researchers will present their work in progress and get feedback from peers and the EoF Academy Scientific Committee to which the supervision of the EoF researchers is also entrusted.
In addition to the annual Research Fellowship program, the Foundation also promotes and activates additional fellowship opportunities within the framework of specific research projects carried out in collaboration with academic institutions, research centers, and partner organizations. These fellowships are designed to support targeted research and studies activities aligned with the broader objectives of the EoF research agenda and may focus on particular themes, projects and research initiatives. Through these project-based fellowships, the Foundation seeks to further expand opportunities for emerging scholars to contribute to ongoing research programs and to strengthen the interdisciplinary and international network of researchers engaged with EoF-related topics.

Current and recent project-based fellowship initiatives include:

 

2. EoF Academy Courses. EoF Academy offers intensive academic courses to catch up with the basic principles of the Economy of Francesco. Courses are designed to reinforce a few key concepts and are aimed to align the knowledge of all the enrolled students coming from different backgrounds. The main topics covered include behavioral and experimental economics; business ethics and philosophy of economics; economic, environmental, and social sustainability; feminist economics; Franciscan economic thought; management. Courses are open to the public. Attendance is mandatory for EoF Academy researchers. Participants receive a certificate of participation on completion of the courses.

PAST COURSES:

The Franciscan Tradition in Economic Thought (May-June 2023)

3.  EoF School. Pilgrims of Change: Walking the Steps of The Economy of Francesco (Ed. 2025). In the past, the EoF School focused on listening to invited experts. While this continued with guest lectures by Kate Raworth and Jennifer Nedelsky, the 2025 edition transformed the school into a space for co-creating knowledge. Traditional lectures evolved into «lectorials»—a dynamic mix of teaching and interactive tutorials. During break-out sessions, students grouped by interest (academics, entrepreneurs, and change-makers). This shifted the EoF School from a solitary learning experience into a collaborative environment where small communities could flourish. The event was open to everyone.

4. EoF International Summer School. The EoF Academy offers an annual Summer School featuring research- and dialogue-oriented lectures led by leading experts in economics. Following the editions held at La Verna—2023’s «Spiritual, Social, and Narrative Capitals: Beyond Capitalism» and 2024’s «Homo Mendicans – Companionship, Wandering, and the Pursuit of Joy»—the 2026 International Summer School will take place in Germany under the title «The Economics of Fraternity.»

5. EoF sessions in International Conferences. This is a list of International Conferences that we feel close to our research interests where we would like to like to participate as EoF Academy organizing thematic sessions. For submitting a proposal with us, please write to [email protected]. We emphasize that all the members of the EoF community might keep in touch with us for joining our session proposals.

Past conferences