Alfiere del Commercio Internazionale Award: Call for Entries for the Third Edition Now Online

The official call for entries for the 2026 Alfiere del Commercio Internazionale Award has been published. Applications are open to those under 35 until September 15. Learn about the themes, requirements, and prizes.

The call for entries for the third edition of the Alfiere del Commercio Internazionale – Young International Trade Specialist (YITS) Award is now officially online. This initiative is promoted by ARcom Formazione as part of the 2026 International Trade Forum, scheduled for October 23 in Milan.

The award was established with the aim of recognizing the talent, research, and interest of the younger generation in the fields of international trade, customs law, geopolitics, and European trade policy.

Who Is the Alfiere Award For?

The Alfiere International Trade Award is open to anyone under 35, regardless of their educational or professional background. Students, graduates, professionals, and anyone interested in exploring the major challenges facing global trade are eligible to participate.

The initiative aims to establish a concrete link between academia, businesses, and industry professionals, offering opportunities to:

• professional visibility
• professional networking
• discussion with experts and leading companies
• promotion of studies and research on global trade issues

The themes of the third edition of the Alfiere Award

Candidates will be asked to write an original paper on one of the following topics:

1. Free Trade Agreements and European Trade Policy– The Role of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the European Union’s Trade Policy: A Complement to or a Replacement for WTO Multilateralism?
2. E-commerce and New Customs Rules – Cross-border E-commerce and the Elimination of the 150-Euro Duty-Free Threshold: The Transformation of Marketplaces Within the Customs System.
3. The New European Union Customs Authority – The Legal Nature and Powers of the New EU Customs Authority.

A Scientific Committee composed of experts

The evaluation of the entries will be entrusted to the Scientific Committee of the Alfiere del Commercio Internazionale Award, composed of academics, professionals, and experts with recognized experience in the fields of international trade, customs law, economics, and international relations.

The Scientific Committee ensures the rigor of the selection process and the scientific quality of the initiative by evaluating the papers based on criteria such as depth, originality, innovation, and the overall quality of the research.

What Does the First-Place Winner Receive?

The winner of the 2026 Alfiere del Commercio Internazionale Award will receive:

• the official awards ceremony during the International Trade Forum
• Free enrollment in the Master's Program in International Trade and Customs to earn the professional certification as an AEO Corporate Customs Manager, offered by ARcom Formazione
• A six-month paid internship at the Armella & Associati Law Firm
• the full publication of the paper in the specialized journal Il Doganalista
• publication on the International Trade Forum's official channels

The Award is one of the ways in which the Forum aims to invest in the skills of the future and encourage new professionals to enter the world of international trade.

How to Enter the Alfiere Award Contest

Applications must be submitted by September 15, 2026, by sending the documentation specified in the call for applications to the organizing secretariat: segreteria@arcomsrl.it

The entries will be evaluated by the Award’s Scientific Committee based on criteria such as overall quality, depth of research, use of sources, innovation, and originality.

The complete call for applications, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and evaluation criteria, is available online.