Rome, Chamber of Deputies, Queen’s Hall, 9 October 2026.

The Award

The Italy-USA Foundation promoted at the Italian Parliament the new edition of the America Award; it is a prestigious recognition of great civil and institutional work. The award is mainly seen as a means to acknowledge and encourage initiatives and work aimed at favoring relationships between Europe and the United States of America. Clearly famous, eminent figures that have distinguished themselves in their work and have achieved the utmost excellence in their respective fields of interested and activities, and important results in favor of transatlantic friendship, will be considered. The 2026 ceremony was held in Rome at the Chamber of Deputies, on Thursday October 9, at 5 PM. A special award will be conferred in memory of the actor Alberto Sordi. The Italy-USA Foundation, in the frame of the America Award, also conferred three medals of the Italian Parliament to three students of American universities: Alexander Thurston Levin, Payton Elizabeth Mccarthy, Brenna Grace Schupbach. The anchorwoman was the journalist Benedetta Rinaldi.

Winners

Matteo Bassetti, scientist

Hoara Borselli, journalist

Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, president of the Venice Biennale

Cristina Chiabotto, television host

Kristian Ghedina,  alpine skiing champion

Ernst Knam, chef

Giuseppe Lavazza, entrepreneur, president of Lavazza

Franco Malerba, astronaut

Ettore Prandini, president of Coldiretti

Rose Villain, singer-songwriter