Student Opportunities
Italy 2026: Agricultural Engineering Innovation Tour
When: 10–14 November 2026 (Bologna) + travel days — (Estimate 7 - 10 days total)
Who: UWA School of Engineering and School of Agriculture and Environment (SAgE) undergraduate or postgraduate students
Funding: AUD $2,500 travel grant per student; some additional self-funding required
Places: Limited — competitive selection
Apply by 10am, Monday 20th July 2026
About the Opportunity
Scholarships for UWA Engineering and SAgE students to experience the heart of European agricultural technology and machinery innovation.
The UWA School of Engineering and School of Agriculture and Environment (SAgE) is offering a select group of students the chance to travel to Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, a global hub for agricultural machinery, automotive engineering, and motorsport. Over the course of the trip you will see world-leading agricultural technology up close, meet the engineers and researchers building it, and make connections with international R&D companies and universities.
The trip is built around EIMA International 2026, the world's second-largest agricultural innovation and machinery expo, which runs from 10 to 14 November 2026 in Bologna. Students will be accompanied throughout by engineers from UWA's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agricultural and Ecological Restoration (CEI:AgER).
What you will do
-
The second-largest agricultural innovation and machinery expo in the world. EIMA brings together major OEMs and startups from across the globe to showcase their full product range and the latest in agricultural technology. You will spend time on the exhibition floor seeing where the industry is heading and meeting the companies driving it.
-
Meetings with researchers and educators as part of UWA's partnership with UniBo. Founded in 1088, it is the oldest university in the western world and holds strong capability at the intersection of agriculture and engineering. This is a chance to understand how a leading European institution approaches research and teaching in the field.
-
A visit to the R&D facilities of CNH, a world leader in agricultural machinery. You will get an inside look at cutting-edge engineering design, testing, and manufacturing at one of the sector's largest players.
-
Emilia-Romagna is home to the famous Motor Valley, where agriculture, automotive, and racing technologies overlap. The trip includes engagement with MUNER, the Motor Valley University of Emilia-Romagna, which is linked to both CNH and UniBo. You will see how engineering knowledge crosses between these industries and where the shared technologies sit.
How To Apply
Places are limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on submission of:
A tailored CV
A 2-page maximum written response covering the three questions below (Microsoft Word or PDF)
Application questions
Why do you want to come on this trip?
How does it fit into your career goals?
What is your interest in agricultural engineering and technology?
Keep your responses focused and specific. We are looking for students who can articulate why this opportunity matters to them and how they will make the most of it.
Engineering Students: Submit response to andrew.guzzomi@uwa.edu.au with “Bologna 2026” in the subject line
SAgE Students: Submit response to wesley.moss@uwa.edu.au with “Bologna 2026” in the subject line
Deadline
All applications must be emailed by 10am 20 July 2026
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview
Eligibility
To be eligible for the trip you must:
be enrolled in a UWA undergraduate or postgraduate degree related to engineering or agriculture.
have the legal right to travel to Italy, with a valid passport
Funding
UWA and CEI:AgER are providing $2500 per student towards the cost of airfare and other travel expenses. Selected meals, EIMA admission and travel to activities is covered for students, however other costs are self-funded.
Students responsible for their own visa costs (if necessary) and ensuring they have a valid passport
During the trip students are covered under UWA travel insurance, but you will need to take your own for any personal travel before or after.