Education continues to be at the heart of the Silvio and Marianne Tarchini Foundation, which has launched a new call for scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year. The call is aimed at deserving young Swiss students, with priority given to students from Ticino, and is part of a support program that, since 2022, has seen significant growth in both the number of applications and the resources made available.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, October 23, 2026. Applications must be submitted in hard copy to the Secretariat of the Silvio and Marianne Tarchini Foundation in Manno. The postmark date will be considered valid, and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

A commitment born from philanthropic continuity

Established in 2018 with the aim of continuing the philanthropic commitment of Silvio and Marianne Tarchini, the Foundation has supported various solidarity initiatives over the years, both in Switzerland and abroad.

Since 2022, particular attention has been focused on education. The decision was made to support young people pursuing their academic and professional careers through scholarships, with a focus on Swiss students, including those from Ticino.

A line of action that is also summed up in the words attributed to Silvio Tarchini: "Never consider study as a duty, but as an enviable opportunity."

From the first three grants to a growing program

The initiative's evolution is evident from the numbers recorded in recent years. During the 2022/2023 academic year, three scholarships were awarded, during the initial, limited phase of the project.

In the following year, 2023/2024, the number of grants rose to 32. For the 2024/2025 call for proposals, 96 applications were received, and after evaluating the applications, the Foundation awarded 45 scholarships, for a total of 135,500 francs. Additional donations totaling 26,500 francs were added.

Growth continued in the latest edition. For the 2025/2026 call, over 145 applications were received and 70 scholarships were awarded, for a total of 190,000 francs.

The increase in applications reflects the program's growth and confirms the importance that financial support tools can have on the educational path of students faced with the costs of university and professional studies.

Architecture, economics and university education

Among the areas to which the Foundation pays particular attention are studies in architecture, economics and related disciplines.

A specific priority is given to students at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, while support also extends to those pursuing degrees in economics and related fields at the University of Italian Switzerland, other universities, or Swiss polytechnics.

The new competition also includes various educational opportunities: studies at Swiss universities and federal institutes of technology, medical studies at USI, university studies abroad – with a particular focus on the United Kingdom – training at universities of applied sciences and other professional qualifications.

A prize for those who choose Ticino after their Bachelor's degree

In addition to traditional scholarships, in 2023 the Foundation Board decided to establish an additional award aimed at deserving students who choose to continue their university education in Ticino.

Starting in the 2024/2025 academic year, the initiative is intended for those pursuing a Master's degree in economics, architecture, or civil engineering at USI, the Academy of Architecture, or SUPSI after obtaining a Bachelor's degree from another Swiss university.

The goal is therefore also to encourage the continuation of higher education in the canton, supporting young people who decide to move the second part of their academic career to Ticino.

Five scholarships per year for studies in the UK

The Foundation's program also includes a connection with the Ticino community abroad. To mark the 150th anniversary of the Ticinese Union of London, an initiative was launched for young Ticinese students interested in studying in the United Kingdom.

The Foundation offers five scholarships of 5,000 francs each each year. This measure broadens the scope of its support to include university experiences beyond Switzerland's borders.

How applications are evaluated

Scholarships are awarded based on several criteria. The Foundation Board primarily evaluates the applicant's curriculum and academic achievement, but also takes into consideration the applicant's and his or her family's financial circumstances.

Any other financial aid the student already receives may also be taken into account in the evaluation.

Renewal of the scholarship is not automatic, but may be granted if the scholarship recipient's results justify continuation. The Foundation Board's decisions are stated in the call for applications as final.

The 2026/2027 call for proposals and the October 23 deadline

To participate in the competition for the 2026/2027 academic year, please complete the application form and attach the required documentation. The complete application must be submitted by Friday, October 23, 2026, to the Secretariat of the Silvio and Marianne Tarchini Foundation, c/o Tarchini Group, Centro Galleria 3, 6928 Manno.

The form is available on the Tarchini Foundation's official website and can also be consulted on the Ticino Canton's Study Aid Office 's page dedicated to private foundations.

For information on the documentation and how to participate, please contact the Foundation's Secretariat at info@fondazione-tarchini.ch.

With the launch of this new call for proposals, the Tarchini Foundation continues a journey that, in just a few years, has seen a significant increase in the number of students supported. From the initial three grants to the seventy scholarships awarded in the last edition, the program has gradually consolidated, expanding the fields of study and the opportunities offered to young Swiss and Ticino students committed to building their academic and professional futures.