Federician University student Alessia Bacile wins the 2026 “Amazon Women in Innovation” scholarship

Alessia Bacile, a student in the Computer Engineering degree program at the University of Naples Federico II, is the winner of the eighth edition of “Amazon Women in Innovation,” a scholarship promoted and funded by Amazon to help young female students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to enter the fields of the digital economy, innovation, and technology.

The deserving student—along with the winners from the other six Italian universities involved in Amazon’s initiative—will receive a grant of €6,000 for the 2025–26 academic year, with the possibility of renewal for the following two years, as well as the opportunity to participate in a personalized mentorship program alongside an Amazon manager. The program is designed to support the personal and professional growth of the recipients, providing them with key resources for the future: from crafting a compelling resume to strategies for successfully navigating any job interview.

Alessia Bacile is 21 years old, lives in Naples, and is pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II. Ever since her school years, she has shown a natural aptitude for science and mathematics, choosing a path that would allow her to combine the rigor of technology with creativity and design. A passionate advocate for science communication and video games, she views the latter as a tool with strong educational and inclusive potential. It was precisely this conviction that inspired a personal project—developed alongside other young people—to create an educational video game accessible to an ever-wider audience.

“When I decided to apply for the Amazon Women in Innovation scholarship, I did so mainly to challenge myself: it was the first time I’d participated in a selection process of this kind, and winning was a huge surprise that made me feel truly heard and valued. I want to use this support to continue my university studies and move forward with a project that’s very important to me: the development of an educational video game that combines technology, creativity, and inclusion,” says Alessia Bacile. “To girls who are curious about STEM fields, I’d say not to set limits for themselves before they even start. I’ve often met girls who said, ‘I’d like to, but it’s too hard’—but if a subject sparks your passion, it’s worth giving it a try and believing in your own abilities. I believe it’s important for schools, institutions, and companies to showcase more and more examples of women working in these fields, because seeing competent and passionate female role models helps the younger generation envision themselves on those career paths more naturally.”

“We’re very proud to have reached the eighth edition of Amazon Women in Innovation, a milestone that has allowed us to support 40 talented female students across Italy to date,” says Rita Malavasi, Head of Institutional Relations at Amazon Italy. “Reducing the gender gap in STEM fields isn’t just a matter of equity: it’s necessary to ensure the development of skills that can contribute to Italy’s competitiveness. With this project, we want to demonstrate that investing in female talent means investing in the country’s future: by combining financial support with a targeted mentorship program, we provide these outstanding young women with both the practical resources and the confidence needed to become the innovation leaders of tomorrow.”

Amazon Women in Innovation: Eight Editions of the Scholarship Program Supporting Women in STEM. Launched in 2018, the Amazon Women in Innovation program aims to provide concrete support for the growth of young talent in the digital landscape. Today, the initiative brings together seven Italian universities: the University of Cagliari, the University of Catania, the University of Rome Tor Vergata, the University of Naples Federico II, the Polytechnic University of Milan, the University of Palermo, and the Polytechnic University of Turin.

Including the awards announced today, the project has honored 40 deserving young women to date, including this year’s winners, and has served as a springboard for many young female students—from those who have pursued prestigious international master’s degree programs to those who have entered the workforce and begun building their careers with purpose and passion.