Over €30 million confirmed for education in 2025, of which more than €1.7 million already allocated to supporting European talent
UniCredit Foundation has renewed its Board of Directors with the appointment of its new members. The Board will continue to be chaired by Andrea Orcel, CEO and Head of Italy of UniCredit Group, with Giorgio Barba Navaretti, Professor of Economics at the University of Milan, confirmed as Vice President and Joanna Carss, Head of Group Stakeholder Engagement at UniCredit Group, as a member.
Joining the Board are two new members:
- Michael Spence, President & Provost of UCL and an internationally recognised leader in higher education and philanthropy
- Dr. Simona Costanzo Sow, Chief of Academic Partnerships at the United Nations System Staff College, with extensive expertise in education, sustainable development and global partnerships
The Board has been streamlined from nine to five members, reflecting the Foundation's intention to create a more agile and cohesive governance body, able to convene more easily, foster effective discussion and take timely, collective decisions to maximize impact.
Building on the €54 million already dedicated between 2022 and 2024, the renewed Board has confirmed a €30 million budget for education. This marks a new chapter of even greater ambition for the Foundation's mission.
In execution of the renewed mandate, In September 2025, UniCredit Foundation launched the first four calls for applications, worth a total of €1.7 million, to support scholarships and research opportunities across its European countries. While scholarships are not the sole focus of the Foundation's mission, they represent a key element of its wider commitment to unlock the potential of Europe's next generation. These initiatives will enable talented students and researchers to study at leading international universities, while also making academic positions in Europe more attractive through salary top-ups. The number of return fellowships has been increased from 5 to 7, with up to two dedicated to Central and Eastern Europe. With more grants than last year and a stronger focus on Eastern Europe, the initiative continues to support Europe's brightest talent, encouraging brain gain and reinforcing local excellence.
Silvia Cappellini, General Manager at UniCredit Foundation, commented: "At UniCredit Foundation, we believe education is the most powerful driver of progress. With €30 million confirmed for 2025, and over €1.7 million already dedicated to scholarships and research, we are creating real opportunities for Europe's next generation. A leaner Board and a stronger focus will allow us to act faster and make an even greater impact."
As part of this broader evolution, UniCredit Foundation has also launched its renovated website, redesigned with fresh storytelling, updated content and a more intuitive user experience to better showcase projects, stories and results.
To explore the Foundation's new website and learn more about the new Board as well as full details of the calls for applications, click here.
Contact
Media Relations