Italian Government Scholarships for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Italy, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and academic excellence, offers numerous scholarships to international students seeking to pursue higher education. The Italian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), provides scholarships to promote international cooperation in cultural, scientific, and technological fields, as well as to support the Italian language, culture, and economic system worldwide. These scholarships are available for the academic year 2025-2026 and are open to both foreign nationals and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE).

MAECI Scholarships: An Overview

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships to foreign students and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE). These scholarships are designed to support various academic pursuits, including:

Master’s Degrees
PhD Programs
Research under academic supervision
Language and Culture Courses
AFAM programs (Arts, Music, and Dance)

The MAECI scholarship aims to foster international cooperation in cultural, scientific, and technological fields, promote Italian language and culture, and support Italy’s economic system in the world. The scholarship program is open to foreign nationals as well as Italians abroad (IRE). The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students who wish to study in Italy. MAECI will provide scholarships on a competitive basis. Criteria for selection include educational qualifications, financial need, personal motivation, and proficiency in Italian.

Financial Benefits and Duration

The Italian Government Scholarship provides significant financial assistance. The grant amounts to 9,000 euros, paid in three separate installments to the personal current account, opened in his/her name, with an Italian banking institution. Furthermore, students will receive a monthly allowance of 900 Euros on a quarterly basis. However, travel expenses and accommodation are not included. The scholarship duration varies from 3 to 9 months, depending on the type of course.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Italian Government Scholarship, applicants must meet certain criteria:

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Nationality: Applications must only be submitted by foreign students not residing in Italy and by Italian citizens living abroad (IRE)* holding an appropriate academic qualification required to enroll to the Italian University/Institute.
Language Proficiency: In order to enroll in an Italian-taught course, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In order to enroll in an English-taught course, applicants must provide a language certificate of their proficiency in English Language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A self-certification may be accepted for candidates from countries where English is an official language and who are applying for courses held entirely in English. For Italian language and culture courses, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language.
Academic Qualification: Applicants must hold an appropriate academic qualification required to enroll in the Italian University/Institute.

Application Process

The application process for the Italian Government Scholarship is conducted online. To apply, candidates must register on the “Study in Italy” portal and submit the required documents by May 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM CET. The application process is fully online.

Required Documents

Generally, the required documents include:

A CV
Letter of motivation
Academic transcripts
Proof of language proficiency
Letters of recommendation

Applicants must check the scholarship deadlines Italy carefully to submit valid applications. Meeting application deadlines and eligibility criteria, such as holding a language certificate, is crucial for maximizing your chances of funding.

Selection Criteria

Selection for the MAECI scholarship is competitive and based on several factors, including:

Educational qualifications
Financial need
Personal motivation
Proficiency in Italian or English (depending on the course)
Academic merit

Other Scholarship Opportunities in Italy

Besides the Italian Government Scholarship, several other scholarships are available for international students in Italy.

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University of Bologna International Talents Scholarship

The University of Bologna International Talents Scholarship is a premier funding opportunity designed to attract exceptional international students to pursue advanced degree programs in Italy. By awarding 30 study grants valued at €6,500 per academic year for two consecutive years, the University of Bologna eliminates financial barriers for its top-tier candidates. In addition to the study grants, successful applicants benefit from a full tuition fee waiver, although they are required to pay a nominal sum of €157.04 to cover regional taxes, stamp duty, and insurance premiums, subject to change. The deadline for application is May 30, 2025.

Bocconi Graduate Merit Awards

These awards celebrate academic excellence and are open to high-performing students from around the world who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in Milan, Italy. The program underscores the University’s commitment to fostering a community of top-tier scholars. Successful candidates benefit from a comprehensive scholarship package that includes a complete waiver of tuition and fees, ensuring that financial concerns do not hinder the pursuit of advanced studies. This award is automatically considered when you apply for a graduate program, so there is no separate scholarship application required. The deadline for application is May 27, 2025.

IMT School for Advanced Studies Scholarship

The IMT School for Advanced Studies Scholarship is a prestigious and competitive PhD scholarship program that provides exceptional opportunities for talented individuals to pursue their research ambitions. The program is open to candidates from all countries in the world who have a master’s degree or are able to get their degrees by October 31st, 2025. The Scholarship is fully funded and provides a monthly stipend, accommodation, tuition fees, free meals etc. The program offers a stimulating and collaborative environment where scholars can exchange ideas, participate in interdisciplinary initiatives, and contribute to innovative research outcomes. The deadline for application is June 30, 2025.

University of Milan Excellence Scholarships

In line with its internationalization strategies for increasing incoming mobility and attractiveness to foreign students, the University of Milan offers its international students, scholarships, and exemptions from tuition fees. All students enrolled in the first year of a Master’s degree program at the University of Milan can apply for this scholarship. For the academic year 2025-2026, 160 scholarships will be offered to the best international students admitted to a Master’s degree program. These scholarships are awarded by an Ad-Hoc Commission to qualified students who applied for admission to a Master’s degree program by 31 May 2025. The deadline for application is May 31, 2025.

Study a Master’s Degree in Europe Scholarship

Educations Media Group (EMG) believes that students who study abroad become the next generation of globally-minded leaders. Therefore, they are offering a “Study a Master’s in Europe Scholarship” to help cover your tuition fees and get you one step closer to your next great adventure. The scholarship will be awarded for the Fall semester and is open to students from any country who will be studying for a master’s degree abroad at a European university or graduate school. The Study a Master’s Degree in Europe offers a scholarship of €5000 to help cover tuition fees for the Fall 2025 semester. The deadline for application is May 15, 2026.

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Africa Scholars Program at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

This scholarship program to study in Italy has been created to allow African students to study in 2-year graduate degree programs taught in English at either Milan, Roma, Piacenza or Cremona campuses. Through this Europe scholarship program, all accepted applicants will be offered tuition fee reductions. The Cattolica Africa Scholarship is NOT a fully funded program that provides coverage for tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, insurance, etc. Therefore, students should be aware that they will be responsible for their own living expenses, and other related fees. The deadline for application is June 25, 2025.

Additional Financial Aid: DSU Scholarship

In addition to merit-based scholarships, students can also apply for need-based scholarships like the DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) scholarship. According to Italian laws, all students are equal - both foreigners and Italians - and each student has the right to seek financial assistance if they are in need. The DSU scholarship is precisely an example of such assistance. It is awarded not based on merits and good grades but as support for applicants facing challenging financial situations.

The DSU scholarship is awarded based on financial merit. To participate in the competition, you must confirm that your family income is less than 25,990 USD per year. This allows for reduced tuition fees and eligibility for certain benefits, such as free student housing and meals. There are no age restrictions for participation in the competition. However, the scholarship is not automatically renewed.

Applying for the DSU Scholarship

The application process for the DSU scholarship involves several steps:

Document Preparation: Gather the necessary documents containing information for a specific year, often for the previous year and the first half of the current year.
ISEE Parificato Certificate: Submit the document package to a special authority responsible for assessing the welfare of the population to receive the ISEE Parificato certificate, which indicates the annual income of their family.
Application Submission: Include the acceptance letter or pre-enrollment letter in the DSU scholarship application package. Applications open in July. Attach all required documents to the application. Exact dates may be subject to change.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in either Italian or English is generally required for most scholarship programs. In order to enroll in an Italian-taught course, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In order to enroll in an English-taught course, applicants must provide a language certificate of their proficiency in English Language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A self-certification may be accepted for candidates from countries where English is an official language and who are applying for courses held entirely in English. For Italian language and culture courses, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language.

However, some scholarships without IELTS Italy, such as the Padua International Excellence Scholarship, allow students to bypass language test requirements.

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