Rome Summer Seminars 2026 | Prestigious Fully Supported Program on Religion & Global Politics

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The Rome Summer Seminars 2026 are now open for applications! This elite two-week academic program brings together graduate students, policy experts, and world-renowned scholars to explore the intersection of religion and global politics in the heart of Rome. Running from June 17 – July 1, 2026, the Seminars offer an immersive experience blending research workshops, policy dialogues, institutional visits, and high-level lectures.

Applications must be submitted by February 9, 2026.

Key Dates & Details

Overview

The Rome Summer Seminars 2026 are a high-level academic program for graduate students researching at the intersection of religion, international relations, diplomacy, and global public policy. The Seminars combine lectures, writing workshops, site visits, and multi-stakeholder policy discussions to help participants understand how religion shapes global politics—from peacebuilding and diplomacy to conflict, migration, and interfaith engagement.

Participants will work directly with leading scholars, religious leaders, diplomats, and institutions active in global governance across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Who Should Apply?

The Rome Summer Seminars 2026 are targeted at:

• PhD students (primary target group)
• Advanced MA students with strong research profiles
• Researchers in international affairs & theology
• Scholars of diplomacy, conflict resolution, and political science
• Students focusing on religion in global politics

Only 15 spots are available — making this one of the most competitive programs in the field.

Program Structure & Learning Experience

Participants will benefit from:

• High-level public panels
• Expert lectures from international scholars
• Daily seminars with members of the steering committee
• Writing workshops to present dissertation chapters, article drafts, and fieldwork plans
• Institutional visits in Rome
• Networking with policymakers, diplomats & religious actors

Topics explored include:

• Religion in international relations
• Faith-based diplomacy
• Religion, conflict, and peacebuilding
• Globalization, migration & interreligious dialogue
• Ethics, humanitarianism & public policy

Past keynote speakers include prestigious names from Stanford, Georgetown, Notre Dame, LUISS, EUI, and more.

Accommodation & Meals

Participants are housed at the Australian Catholic University’s newly renovated center on Janiculum Hill — one of Rome’s most scenic areas.

Included in the program fee:

• Breakfast
• Working lunches
• Selected evening meals
• Access to seminar facilities

Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition for the two-week program is:

€500 (includes accommodation, meals & symposium participation)

This extremely subsidized rate is made possible through funding from:

• University of Notre Dame
• Hanns Seidel Stiftung
• Keough School of Global Affairs

Students who lack institutional funding may apply for limited tuition scholarships during the application process.

Travel costs are NOT included.

Venue & Institutional Visits

Most lectures and seminars take place at the University of Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway near the Colosseum.

Daily visits include:

• Embassies to the Holy See
• International organizations
• Religious institutions
• Pontifical institutes
• Interfaith organizations
• Conflict-resolution centers

This is a rare chance to meet the diplomatic, religious, and geopolitical actors shaping global policy.

Writing Workshop

A defining feature of the Rome Summer Seminars 2026:

• Students present their own research (dissertation chapters, drafts, theoretical frameworks)
• Receive detailed feedback from senior scholars
• Improve academic writing & publication strategies
• Engage in interdisciplinary critique sessions

Successful participants receive a certificate of participation.

Policy Dialogue

Each edition features a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue involving:

• Diplomats
• International policymakers
• Religious leaders
• Scholars & civil society organizations

Themes from previous years include:

• Religion & the UN 2030 Agenda
• Religion, conflict & peacebuilding
• Interreligious engagement in Middle East crises
• Religious freedom & human development

Students also contribute to Policy Dossiers, giving them professional policy writing experience.

Partners & Organizational Structure

The program is organized by a major international consortium including:

• University of Notre Dame Rome
• Keough School of Global Affairs
• Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion
• Pontifical Gregorian University
• Sinderesi Foundation
• Adyan Foundation (Lebanon)
• Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies (Jordan)
• Sussex University Religion & Foreign Policy Initiative
• Hanns Seidel Stiftung
• John Cabot University

The Seminars operate under the high patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Student Testimonials

Past participants describe the Rome Summer Seminars as:

• “A rare occasion to meet young scholars working on religion & politics.”
• “A pivotal opportunity to apply research to global political issues.”
• “An intellectual community that shaped my PhD journey.”
• “An extraordinary forum for feedback and interdisciplinary growth.”

Full testimonials include voices from LSE, Notre Dame, Oxford, Göttingen, Sussex University and more.

Application Process

Applications are submitted through Submittable

Required materials generally include:

• CV
• Research statement
• Writing sample (if requested)
• Academic background information
• Motivation letter

Applicants must commit to full participation throughout the two-week program.

Key Dates

• Deadline: February 9, 2026
• Program Dates: June 17 – July 1, 2026
• Location: Rome, Italy