Scholarships – Italy
🎓 1. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships for international students pursuing Master’s degrees, PhDs, and research programs in Italian public universities.
📌 Eligibility: Open to students from select countries (Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America).
💰 Coverage: Tuition fee waiver, monthly allowance (€900), and health insurance.
📅 Application Timeline: Typically opens in April–May every year.
👉 Apply on the official MAECI website
🏛️ 2. Regional Scholarships (DSU, EDISU, LAZIODISCO, etc.)
Each region in Italy offers need-based scholarships through its regional agency. These cover tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and stipends.
📍 Examples:
- EDISU Piemonte – for students in universities like Politecnico di Torino and University of Turin
👉 https://www.edisu.piemonte.it - DSU Toscana – covers universities like University of Florence, Pisa, and Siena
👉 https://www.dsu.toscana.it - LAZIODISCO – supports students in Rome (Sapienza, Tor Vergata, Roma Tre)
👉 https://www.laziodisco.it
📌 Eligibility: Based on family income (ISEE), merit, and residency status.
💰 Benefits: Up to €5,000/year + canteen access and housing discounts.
🏅 3. University-Specific Scholarships for International Students
Many Italian universities offer merit-based and need-based scholarships for foreign students.
Here are some notable examples:
- 🎓 Politecnico di Milano Merit-Based Scholarships: Full and partial tuition waivers + living cost support.
👉 https://www.polimi.it/en/international-prospective-students/scholarships - 🎓 University of Bologna – Unibo Action 1 & 2: Action 1: Tuition fee waivers | Action 2: €11,000 grant
👉 https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/study-grants-and-subsidies - 🎓 University of Padua Scholarships: Full tuition fee waiver + €8,000/year
👉 https://www.unipd.it/en/scholarships - 🎓 University of Pavia – CICOPS and MERIT scholarships: Targeting students from developing countries and high performers.
👉 https://web.unipv.it/international-activities/financial-support/
🌍 4. Italy-Specific Erasmus+ Opportunities
If you are enrolled in a partner university in Europe, you can apply for Erasmus+ mobility programs to study in Italy for one or two semesters.
💰 Coverage: Monthly grant (€250–€600), travel allowance, and tuition waiver.
📌 Eligibility: Enrolled in a European HEI + nomination by home university.
🤝 5. Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries
Several Italian institutions offer targeted scholarships for students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
- 🌍 Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT): For Master’s programs in engineering, design, economics.
👉 https://investyourtalentapplication.esteri.it - 🌍 Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships: Fully-funded doctoral programs including stipend and research costs.
👉 https://www.sns.it/en - 🌍 University of Brescia Scholarships for Low-Income Countries: Covers full tuition + support allowance.
👉 https://en.unibs.it
📌 6. External Funding Options & Resources
💸 Bilateral Government Agreements: Some countries offer scholarships to study in Italy via bilateral programs.
🌐 DAAD, Fulbright, Chevening: May offer exchange or research grants for short-term programs.
🧾 Scholarship Portals:
✅ Pro Tips for Applicants
- ⏳ Apply early: Many deadlines are in April–June for September intake.
- 📄 Prepare documents: Academic transcripts, passport, motivation letter, ISEE certificate (for regional aid).
- 📍 Use your university’s international office: They often help process scholarship applications.
- 🇮🇹 Italian language proficiency is not mandatory for most Master’s scholarships, but helpful.