In implementation of the Across Grant Agreement, which expressly foresees the establishment of an “Across Award” within the Alliance, the Across Award originates from the shared commitment of the partner universities of the Across Alliance to give visibility and recognition to actions, initiatives and research paths that actively contribute to the promotion of inclusion, equal opportunities and the prevention and combating of discrimination. In this perspective, the Award is conceived as a common space in which the values underpinning the Alliance find concrete expression through academic work attentive to social justice, diversity
and human dignity.
Within the framework of the Silvia Gobbato Memorial Prize, the University of Udine hereby introduces a dedicated section entitled Across Award. By being embedded within the Silvia Gobbato Memorial Prize, the Across Award places itself in continuity with a well-established academic tradition devoted to the advancement of equality, inclusion and the culture of non-discrimination. At the same time, it broadens this legacy to a transnational dimension, reflecting the shared responsibility of European universities to foster inclusive academic environments and to support research addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced by contemporary societies.
Purpose of the Award
The Across Award aims to recognise and reward outstanding Bachelor’s or Master’s theses discussing topics connected to the themes of the Silvia Gobbato Memorial Prize, including but not limited to:
- gender equality;
- gender-based violence;
- non-discrimination in education or the workplace;
- diversity and inclusion
- protection of vulnerable individuals and groups;
- equal opportunities policies.
The Award seeks to promote awareness, academic research and critical reflection on these issues among the students of the universities belonging to the Across Alliance.
Eligibility
This section is open to all students enrolled in any of the universities participating in the Across Alliance, who have defended a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis on the topics listed above. Eligible theses must have been defended during the 2024/2025 academic year, including theses defended up to 31 October 2025.
Submission Requirements
Applicants shall submit:
- A digital copy of the Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis.
- An abstract in English (max. 2,000 characters), outlining the main objectives, methodology and findings.
- A certificate issued by the home university confirming the date of the thesis defence and the degree awarded.
- A short CV (max. 2 pages).
- copy of valid identity document
All documents must be submitted in PDF format.
Evaluation
Theses shall be assessed by a Selection Committee established within the Across Alliance and formally appointed by Rectoral Decree, in continuity with the governance framework of the Silvia Gobbato Memorial Prize, and composed of members proposed and nominated by Task 1.4, from among academics and/or experts affiliated with ACROSS Alliance partner institutions, on the basis of their recognized academic or professional expertise in the fields of gender equality, diversity and non-discrimination. In appointing the Committee, due regard shall be
given to the subject matters of the theses submitted, as well as to an appropriate balance of disciplinary backgrounds and institutional representation within the Alliance.
In evaluating the thesis, evaluation criteria shall include:
- potential impact and contribution to the academic debate on gender equality and inclusion (0-10 points). Assesment of the relevance, applicability, and broader significance of the findings for academic, institutional, or societal contexts;
- relevance to the themes of the Prize (0-10 points). Assesment of the degree to which the thesis addresses issues central to gender equality, non-discrimination, diversity, inclusion or the protection of vulnerable individuals;
- quality and originality of the research (0-10 points). Evaluation of the scientific contribution, innovative aspects, critical insights, and the ability to advance knowledge in the field;
- clarity of argument and methodological soundness (0-10 points). Consideration of the coherence and structure of the thesis, the appropiateness and rigour of the methodology adopted, and the consistency between research questions, analysis, and conclusions;
Maximum score: 40 points
Minimum score required for the eligibility of the Award: 28 points.
The Award shall be granted to the thesis achieving the highest overall score among all evaluated applications, provided that it attains a minimum score of 28 out of 40 points.
Prize
The Across Award consists of a monetary prize of €1,000, gross of taxes in accordance with the legislation in force in Italy The winner will be formally recognised during the official ceremony of the Silvia Gobbato Memorial Prize At the discretion of the award recipient, the winning thesis, or a summary thereof, may be published online on the official Across Alliance website. Such publication shall take place subject to the author’s consent and in compliance with applicable copyright and data protection rules.
Submission of Application and Deadline
All required documents must be submitted both:
- in a sealed envelope to the General Protocol Office of the University of Udine, located in Palazzo Florio, Via Palladio 8, 33100 Udine; the envelope must bear the following heading: “Università degli Studi di Udine – Area Servizi agli Studenti ufficio diritto allo studio e servizi integrati – Concorso premio di laurea in memoria di Silvia Gobbato, sezione Across Award”
or - via PEC to the institutional address indicated in the Silvia Gobbato Memorial Prize call: amce@postacert.uniud.it. The University of Udine may also receive certified electronic communications from foreign providers recognised at European level under the eIDAS Regulation, namely Registered Electronic Mail (REM) services. Applications must be submitted by 30 April 2026. Applications committed after the deadline or not complying with the above procedures will not be taken into consideration
Selection Process
The Selection Committee will evaluate nominations, apply the assessment criteria, and determine the final ranking.
Contact and Information
The data provided by the participants in the selection procedure will be processed
exclusively for institutional purposes related to this announcement, in accordance
with the GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679).
The person responsible for the procedure is Cristina Disint, Head of AMCE-ASTU – Student Services Area.
For information and/or clarifications, please write to: studenti@uniud.it indicating “Across Award” in the subject line.”
