Italy · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Italy — government, university, and international programs.
AI-drafted, editorial review pending. The official links below are checked — confirm specifics with the authority.
Italy's main government scholarships for international students are the Italian Government Scholarships (run by the Foreign Ministry, MAECI), plus 'Invest Your Talent in Italy' and regional right-to-study (DSU) grants that many students qualify for based on income. Explore options on the Study in Italy / MAECI sites and apply by each deadline.
Funding for study in Italy comes from three main places: Italian Government scholarships for foreign students, published each year by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI); the regional right-to-study system (diritto allo studio, DSU); and the universities themselves. The DSU system rests on Article 34 of the Constitution — capable and deserving students, even without means, have the right to reach the highest levels of study — and the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) funds it each year through a supplementary state fund for grants. For 2026/27, MUR has set the minimum grant at €7,171.11 for students living away from home (fuori sede), €4,190.71 for commuters and €2,890.16 for students living at home, after a 1.4% inflation update. To qualify, the household’s ISEE indicator may not exceed €28,339.88 and its ISPE asset indicator €61,608.48. Grants are awarded through calls run by the regional right-to-study bodies and the universities, on income and merit. MUR also publishes each year a list of particularly poor countries for the right-to-study system. For the study visa, merely applying for or being eligible for a DSU grant does not count towards the required means of support — only an explicit award does, according to MUR’s procedures for international students. MAECI calls, eligible countries and deadlines change every year, so check the live call before relying on an award.
- 2026/27 minimum DSU grant: €7,171.11 away from home, €4,190.71 for commuters, €2,890.16 at home.
- Household caps: ISEE up to €28,339.88 and ISPE up to €61,608.48.
- Grants are awarded through regional right-to-study bodies and universities, on income and merit.
- For the visa, only an explicit award counts as means of support — not an application.
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Map the funding landscape
Map Italian funding: the Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI), Invest Your Talent in Italy, and regional right-to-study (DSU) grants.
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Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
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Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
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Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
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Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
- MAECI — Italian Government scholarships for foreign students
Annual call for foreign students and Italians abroad.
- MUR — Right to study (in Italian)
The state grant fund and the annual decrees.
- MUR — Directorial Decree 175 of 10 Feb 2026: minimum grant amounts (in Italian)
2026/27 minimum grants by student category.
- MUR — Directorial Decree 176 of 10 Feb 2026: ISEE and ISPE caps (in Italian)
2026/27 income and asset limits for right-to-study benefits.
- Universitaly
MUR portal for programmes and institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Italian Government Scholarships?
Foreign Ministry (MAECI) scholarships for international students and Italians abroad, for study, research and Italian-language courses.
What is a DSU grant?
A regional right-to-study grant awarded mainly on income and merit; many students, including international ones, qualify.
What is Invest Your Talent in Italy?
A program offering scholarships and internships for students from selected countries in fields like engineering, ICT and economics.
Government portals
- Italian Government — Official portal of the Italian Government
- Ministry of the Interior (residence) — Residence permits (permesso di soggiorno) and immigration
- Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) — Italian income tax, VAT, and tax code (codice fiscale)
- Visa for Italy (MAECI) — Visa requirements and applications from abroad