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DUO-CIMEA Italy Fellowship CIMEA
The DUO-CIMEA Italy Fellowship CIMEA invites professors, researchers, and PhD students from 20 Asian ASEM member countries – including India – to participate in structured academic exchanges with Italian institutions. Managed by Associazione CIMEA, this programme provides financial support ranging from €1,500 to €5,000 per month, alongside travel grants up to €3,500. Eligible candidates must be affiliated with a recognised university or research institution. Applications remain open until 31 October 2026.
Program Highlights
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | International Academic Fellowship |
| Organising Body | Associazione CIMEA (Italy) / ASEM-DUO Secretariat |
| Mode | Offline (Physical Exchange) |
| Duration | 10 to 30 working days |
| Location / Platform | Italy (Home to Host) and Asian Partner Institution (Host to Home) |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026 (Italian local time) |
About the Program
The DUO-CIMEA Italy Fellowship CIMEA was established in 2025 under the ASEM-DUO framework with the explicit purpose of promoting bilateral academic mobility between Italian institutions affiliated to CIMEA and universities in 20 designated Asian countries. The programme operates on a balanced exchange model – meaning an equal number of participants travel in both directions between the two partnering institutions.
Associazione CIMEA (Centro di Informazione sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche) is a Rome-based organisation with a long-standing mandate to facilitate academic recognition and international mobility across Europe and Asia. Its affiliation network spans institutions engaged in higher education law, governance, and interdisciplinary research.
Notably, the primary thematic focus of this fellowship centres on research and development in the field of higher education law and governance. Furthermore, the Selection Committee considers complementary disciplines related to higher education in a holistic sense, broadening the scope for academics from diverse research backgrounds.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Applicant must be a Professor, Researcher, or enrolled PhD student
- Must be affiliated with a recognised university or institution in one of the 20 eligible Asian ASEM countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam
- No specific degree field restriction; primary focus is higher education law and governance, with complementary disciplines considered
Experience & Other Conditions
- Applicant must maintain their current institutional position from the time of application through the exchange period
- A corresponding Italian institution affiliated with CIMEA must be identified as the Home Institution and must initiate the application
- The exchange must be conducted as a pair – equal numbers of participants travel in both directions
- A demonstrated good level of spoken and written English is required
- Knowledge of Italian language is considered an added advantage during selection
- An existing academic cooperation agreement (MoU) between the two institutions, or a co-signed declaration of intent, is required
Benefits & Funding
The DUO-CIMEA Italy Fellowship CIMEA provides a standardised financial package based on position level and destination country, covering both subsistence and travel.
| Component | Amount / Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly Fellowship (minimum) | €1,500 |
| Monthly Fellowship (maximum) | €5,000 |
| Travel Grant (minimum) | €1,000 |
| Travel Grant (maximum) | €3,500 |
| Additional Travel Support | Up to 50% extra for exchanges involving Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea |
| Fellowship Basis | Minimum 10 working days; adjusted pro-rata for shorter or longer stays |
| Double Funding | Permitted; contact CIMEA Selection Committee for clarification |
Selection Process
- Application submitted by the Home (Italian) Institution on behalf of both participating institutions
- CIMEA Selection Committee reviews all applications after the October 2026 deadline
- Selection based on four stated criteria: appropriateness of proposal, ability to carry out exchange, contribution to exchange promotion, and coherence with CIMEA’s mandate
- Decision communicated in writing within 30 days of application submission
- Letter of Acceptance forwarded to both partner institutions
How to Apply
- Contact the International Relations Office of your Asian institution to initiate the pairing process with an eligible Italian institution affiliated to CIMEA.
- Confirm the existence of an MoU between the two institutions, or prepare a co-signed declaration of intent.
- Complete the 2025/26 DUO-CIMEA/Italy Application Form in typewritten PDF format — both the Italian and Asian participants must fill their respective sections.
- Compile the required documents: completed application form, MoU or declaration of intent, passport copies of both exchange participants, and CVs not exceeding 5 pages per applicant.
- Submit the entire application as a single consolidated PDF document to CIMEA at: direttore@cimea.it
- Ensure submission is made before 31 October 2026 (Italian local time); applications received after this date will not be considered.
No application fee is mentioned in the official notification.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 14 July 2025 |
| Application Start Date | March 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026 (Italian local time) |
| Exchange Programme End Date | Before December 2026 |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| ASEM-DUO Secretariat Website | www.asemduo.org |
| Application Submission (Email) | direttore@cimea.it |
Contact
Associazione CIMEA Viale XXI Aprile 36, 00162 Roma, Italy Email: direttore@cimea.it Website: www.cimea.it
UGC India (Issuing Authority) University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002 Phone: 011-23239597 Email: archana.ugc@nic.in Contact Officer: Dr. Archana Thakur, Joint Secretary
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the DUO-CIMEA Italy Fellowship CIMEA?
Professors, researchers, and PhD students affiliated with universities in any of the 20 designated Asian ASEM member countries are eligible. Consequently, Indian academics from recognised universities qualify, provided their institution can identify a corresponding CIMEA-affiliated Italian partner institution to co-apply.
What financial support does this fellowship provide?
The fellowship offers a monthly stipend between €1,500 and €5,000, depending on the applicant’s position level and destination country. Additionally, travel grants ranging from €1,000 to €3,500 are provided, with the possibility of a 50% travel cost supplement for exchanges involving Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea.
How does the paired exchange model work under this fellowship?
The DUO-CIMEA Italy Fellowship CIMEA operates on a strictly bilateral basis — meaning an equal number of participants from the Italian institution and the Asian institution must exchange with each other. Notably, the two mobility periods do not need to occur simultaneously, nor do the exchanging participants need to belong to the same department.
What is the application and selection procedure?
The Home (Italian) Institution submits a single consolidated PDF application on behalf of both institutions to direttore@cimea.it. The CIMEA Selection Committee evaluates proposals after the deadline and communicates decisions in writing within 30 days. The Letter of Acceptance is subsequently issued to both participating institutions.
What is the last date to apply, and can double funding be availed?
Applications must be submitted by 31 October 2026 (Italian local time). Furthermore, double funding is explicitly permitted under this programme — applicants who receive support from other funding sources may still apply, subject to prior communication with the CIMEA Selection Committee via direttore@cimea.it.