Top Scholarships for Italy 2026

Italy offers a layered scholarship system. The Italian Government (MAECI) funds awards for international students through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Regional DSU agencies distribute means-tested grants (borsa di studio) covering tuition, housing, and meals. The Invest Your Talent in Italy program targets students from specific developing countries. Erasmus+ supports EU exchange students. Individual universities — Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi, University of Bologna — run their own merit-based awards. And Collegi di Merito provide residential scholarships for top students. This guide covers every major funding source with deadlines, amounts, and application steps.

Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) awards scholarships to international students every year. These are Italy’s flagship government-funded scholarships, administered through the Study in Italy portal.

Eligibility

• Open to citizens of countries listed in the annual MAECI call (typically 100+ countries)
• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to the Italian qualification level preceding the one they wish to pursue (bachelor’s for master’s applicants, master’s for PhD applicants)
• Age limit: generally under 28 for master’s programs, under 30 for PhD programs, under 40 for research projects
• Italian language courses open to applicants aged 18–35

What It Covers

Benefit	Amount	Notes
Monthly stipend	€900/month	Paid for the scholarship duration (6 or 9 months)
Tuition waiver	Full exemption	At public universities only
Health insurance	Covered by MAECI	SSN registration included
Duration	6 or 9 months	Renewable for one additional year with academic progress

How to Apply

Applications open each year around April–May through the Study in Italy portal (studyinitaly.esteri.it). The deadline is usually in June. You submit your academic transcripts, language certificates, a study plan, a motivation letter, and a copy of your passport. Results are announced in July–August. Apply early — the portal can be slow near the deadline.

MAECI awards approximately 800–1,000 scholarships per year. Competition is moderate: strong academic records and a clear research or study plan improve your chances. Arts and music programs at Italian conservatories are especially popular among applicants.

Regional DSU Scholarships (Borsa di Studio)

Every Italian region runs a DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) agency that distributes means-tested scholarships to university students. These are not competitive scholarships — every student who meets the income and merit requirements receives the grant. International students are eligible on the same terms as Italian students.

Eligibility Criteria

• Income requirement: ISEE Parificato under approximately €26,000 (the exact threshold varies by region and year)
• ISPE requirement: patrimony indicator under approximately €57,000
• Merit requirement: first-year students must enroll full-time; continuing students must pass a minimum number of credits (typically 20–40 credits per year, depending on the region)

What DSU Covers

Benefit	Value (approx.)	Details
Tuition waiver	Full or partial	University waives tuition for DSU recipients
Cash grant (borsa di studio)	€2,000–6,000/year	Higher for off-site students (fuori sede); lower for commuters
Free housing	Dormitory room	Priority access to university dormitories
Free meals	Full mensa access	Free lunch and dinner at university canteens
Transport subsidies	Varies	Some regions offer free or discounted transit passes

How to Apply

Apply through your region’s DSU website after you receive your university admission. Deadlines are typically in August–September for the following academic year. You need your ISEE Parificato (processed at a CAF office), university enrollment confirmation, and identity documents.

Important: the DSU grant is a right, not a competition. If you meet the criteria, you receive the scholarship. In some regions, funding shortages mean that qualified students are placed on a waiting list and may receive a reduced grant. Regions like Emilia-Romagna, Toscana, and Trentino-Alto Adige typically fund 100% of eligible applicants.

DSU by Region

Region	DSU Agency	Grant Amount (fuori sede)	Funding Rate
Emilia-Romagna	ER.GO	€5,300–6,200/year	~100% of eligible students funded
Toscana	DSU Toscana	€5,100–5,800/year	~100% funded
Lombardia	DSU Lombardia	€5,200–5,900/year	~85–95% funded
Piemonte	EDISU Piemonte	€5,000–5,500/year	~90% funded
Campania	ADISU Campania	€4,500–5,200/year	~70–80% funded
Lazio	DiSCo Lazio	€5,100–5,700/year	~80–90% funded

Invest Your Talent in Italy

The Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) program is a scholarship-and-internship initiative run by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), and MAECI. It targets master’s students from specific countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

Key Details

• Scholarship amount: tuition waiver + €900/month stipend for 2 years
• Internship: guaranteed 3–6 month internship at an Italian company after graduation
• Fields: engineering, economics, design, ICT, scientific research
• Partner universities: Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, University of Bologna, Bocconi, and approximately 20 others
• Application deadline: typically January–February for October enrollment

IYT is one of the strongest scholarship packages in Italy. The internship component connects students directly with Italian industry. Companies involved include major names in fashion, engineering, automotive, and tech.

Erasmus+ Scholarships

EU students and students at Erasmus+ partner universities outside the EU can study in Italy for 3–12 months with an Erasmus+ grant. The grant covers part of living costs.

Grant Amounts for Italy (2025–2026)

Sending Country Group	Monthly Grant	Examples
Group 1 (high cost of living)	€350–420	Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, UK (if still partner)
Group 2 (medium cost)	€300–370	Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, Austria
Group 3 (lower cost)	€250–320	Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Greece

Erasmus+ students do not pay tuition at the host university. They continue paying at their home institution (often zero at public universities). The grant is supplementary — it helps with living costs but rarely covers everything. Students with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds receive a top-up of €100–250/month.

University Merit Scholarships

Italy’s top universities offer their own merit-based and need-based awards. Here are the major ones.

Politecnico di Milano

• Platinum Scholarship: full tuition waiver + €10,000/year grant for top international master’s applicants. Approximately 100 awards per year.
• Gold Scholarship: full tuition waiver. Approximately 100 additional awards.
• Silver Scholarship: partial tuition reduction. Several hundred awards.
• No separate application — you are automatically considered when you apply for admission.

Bocconi University

• Full Merit Award: tuition waiver + €12,500/year for bachelor’s; tuition waiver + €12,750/year for master’s.
• Partial Merit Award: 50% tuition reduction.
• ISU Bocconi need-based grant: full tuition waiver + housing + meals for low-income students (works like the DSU system).
• Application: through the Bocconi financial aid portal during admission.

University of Bologna (UNIBO)

• Unibo Action 1 — Study Grants for International Students: €11,000/year for 2–3 years. Covers tuition and living costs. Around 30–50 awards annually for master’s students.
• ER.GO DSU scholarship: available to all students at UNIBO through the Emilia-Romagna regional agency. Covers tuition, housing, and meals.
• Application deadline: typically March–April for the following academic year.

University of Padua

• International Scholarships: €8,000/year tuition waiver for incoming international master’s students with strong academic records. Approximately 50 awards per year.
• ESU Padova need-based grants: equivalent to the DSU system, covering tuition, housing, and meals.

Scuola Normale Superiore (Pisa)

• Italy’s most selective institution. All admitted students receive full tuition waiver, free housing, free meals, and a monthly stipend. There are no tuition-paying students at Scuola Normale. Admission is by competitive exam only.

Collegi di Merito

Collegi di Merito are residential colleges attached to Italian universities. They select students through competitive exams and interviews. Residents live in the college, receive academic mentoring, and participate in cultural and professional programs. Think of them as Italy’s answer to Oxbridge colleges.

Major Collegi di Merito

Collegio	City / University	Scholarship
Collegio Ghislieri	Pavia / University of Pavia	Free housing + meals + academic support
Collegio Borromeo	Pavia / University of Pavia	Free housing + meals + cultural programs
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna	Pisa / University of Pisa	Full tuition + housing + meals + stipend
Scuola Normale Superiore	Pisa	Full tuition + housing + meals + stipend
IUSS Pavia	Pavia	Full tuition + housing + academic enrichment
Collegio Superiore (UNIBO)	Bologna / University of Bologna	Free housing + academic programs + mentoring

Admission to a Collegio di Merito is separate from university admission. You apply to the Collegio directly, usually in June–August. The selection process involves written exams, oral interviews, and a review of your academic record. Places are limited: Collegio Ghislieri admits around 30 new students per year.

Tuition Waivers at Public Universities

Beyond formal scholarships, Italian public universities offer automatic tuition reductions through the ISEE system. Students with an ISEE Parificato under €13,000 pay zero tuition. Students between €13,000 and €30,000 pay €200–1,000 per year. Even without applying for any scholarship, the ISEE calculation alone can reduce your costs to near zero.

Several universities have introduced additional no-tax area policies. The University of Bologna exempts students with ISEE under €23,000 from all tuition. The University of Turin waives fees for ISEE under €22,000. The Politecnico di Milano has a no-tax area up to €24,000 ISEE. These thresholds change annually — check the university website for current values.

How to Maximize Your ISEE Reduction

• Submit your ISEE Parificato application at a CAF office as early as possible (July–August).
• Gather all income documents from your home country: tax returns, property valuations, bank statements as of December 31 of the previous year.
• Declare all family members in the household — larger families get lower per-capita ISEE values.
• If your parents are separated or divorced, only the custodial parent’s income may be counted, depending on circumstances.

PhD Funding in Italy

Italian PhD programs (Dottorato di Ricerca) are 3–4 years long. Funded positions come with a stipend of €16,243 per year (2025 gross amount, adjusted annually). The stipend increases by 50% during any mandatory research abroad period. PhD students pay no tuition and receive health insurance through the university.

Types of PhD Funding

Funding Type	Annual Stipend	Source
University-funded position	€16,243 (gross)	Department budget or MUR allocation
Industry-funded position	€16,243–25,000	Company partnership with the university
EU project-funded	€16,243–30,000	Horizon Europe, Marie Curie, ERC grants
Unfunded position	€0	Self-funded; increasingly rare

PhD calls are published between March and July each year on the university websites and the MUR portal. Most programs require a written exam and an oral interview (often conducted via video for international applicants). Competition varies: STEM fields at top universities may have 5–10 applicants per funded position. Humanities and social sciences are more competitive.

Other Scholarship Sources

Country-Specific Bilateral Agreements

Italy has bilateral cultural agreements with many countries that include student exchange scholarships. Check with the Italian embassy in your home country for programs specific to your nationality. Countries with active bilateral scholarship programs include Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Egypt, China, India, and South Korea.

International Organizations

• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): funds German students studying in Italy
• Fulbright Commission Italy: supports American students and researchers in Italy
• British Council: Charles Wallace and other grants for UK students
• JASSO (Japan): supports Japanese students abroad, including in Italy

Corporate Scholarships

Several Italian and multinational companies offer scholarships tied to specific fields of study. Leonardo S.p.A. (aerospace and defense) funds engineering students at Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino. Enel Foundation awards scholarships in energy and sustainability. Eni (energy) funds master’s and PhD students in engineering and environmental science. Ferrero (food) sponsors scholarships for students at the University of Turin and Politecnico di Torino in food technology and management. These scholarships often include internship placements at the sponsoring company.

Private Foundations

• Fondazione CRT (Turin): scholarships for master’s students in Piedmont
• Fondazione Cariplo (Milan): research and innovation scholarships in Lombardy
• Fondazione di Venezia: awards for students at Ca’ Foscari and IUAV

Working While Studying: Supplementary Income

Scholarships may not cover every expense. Non-EU students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time to supplement their funding. EU students have no work hour restrictions.

Typical Student Earnings

Job Type	Hourly Rate	Monthly Earnings (20 hrs/week)
University tutoring	€10–15	€800–1,200
Language teaching (English)	€15–25	€1,200–2,000
Hospitality (bar, restaurant)	€7–10	€560–800
Research assistant	€10–18	€800–1,440

University career offices and job boards (like AlmaLaurea for UNIBO) post part-time positions. The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and student associations often share job leads. In Milan, student wages are higher than in Bologna or Naples, but so is the cost of living. In southern cities, a part-time job at 20 hours per week can cover most of your living expenses.

Scholarship Stacking: How to Combine Funding

Italian scholarship rules allow most grants to be held simultaneously. A common funding stack for an international master’s student at a public university looks like this:

• ISEE tuition waiver — reduces or eliminates tuition (€0–4,000 saved per year)
• DSU borsa di studio — cash grant of €2,000–6,000 plus free housing and meals
• University merit scholarship — additional €3,000–11,000 per year (varies by institution)
• Part-time work — €500–1,200 per month supplementary income

With a strong scholarship combination, studying in Italy can cost you nothing out of pocket. Some students actually earn a net surplus from their combined funding. The key is applying early to every program you qualify for and submitting the ISEE Parificato as soon as possible after arrival.

Application Timeline

Month	Action
January–February	Apply for Invest Your Talent in Italy; research university merit scholarships
March–April	Apply for UNIBO Action 1 and other university-specific scholarships; prepare ISEE documents
April–June	Apply for MAECI government scholarships on the Study in Italy portal
June–August	Apply for Collegi di Merito; apply for DSU regional scholarships
August–September	Submit DSU application; get ISEE Parificato from CAF office
October	Enrollment begins; confirm scholarship acceptance; register with university

Scholarship Tax Treatment in Italy

Italian tax law exempts most student scholarships from income tax. DSU grants, MAECI scholarships, and university merit awards are tax-free. You do not need to declare them on an Italian tax return. However, income from part-time work is taxable. Students earning under €8,174 per year from employment pay zero income tax (this is the no-tax threshold for dependent income in Italy). Above that threshold, standard tax rates apply.

If you receive a scholarship from your home country (like DAAD or Fulbright), check the bilateral tax treaty between your country and Italy. Most treaties exempt foreign scholarships from Italian taxation. Your home country may still tax the scholarship depending on its domestic rules. Keep all scholarship letters and payment receipts for documentation.

Funding for Language Courses

Students who need Italian language training before starting their degree can find specific funding. Many universities offer free Italian courses to enrolled students during the first semester. The University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, and University of Padua all provide language classes at no cost through their language centers (CLA).

For dedicated pre-enrollment language courses, MAECI scholarships cover Italian language and culture programs lasting 6 or 9 months. Regional DSU agencies sometimes fund language courses as part of the borsa di studio package. Private language schools (Dante Alighieri Society, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci) offer their own scholarships for motivated students. DAAD also funds German students taking language preparation courses in Italy through PROMOS and short-term scholarship programs.

Tips for a Strong Scholarship Application

• Start the ISEE Parificato process early. Gathering income documents from your home country takes time. Missing the ISEE deadline means missing the DSU grant entirely.
• Write a specific study plan. MAECI and university scholarships reward applicants who explain exactly what they will study and why Italy is the right place for it. Generic motivation letters get rejected.
• Apply to multiple sources. A student can hold a DSU grant, a MAECI scholarship, and a university merit award simultaneously. Stack funding to cover all expenses.
• Keep your grades up. DSU grants require minimum credit thresholds each year. Falling below the minimum means losing the grant for the following year. The credit requirements are published by each regional DSU agency.
• Check language requirements. Some scholarships require Italian language certification (CILS, CELI, or PLIDA at B2 level). Others accept English proficiency (IELTS 6.0+, TOEFL 80+). Read the requirements before applying.
• Prepare official translations. Transcripts and diplomas must be translated into Italian or English. Sworn translations (traduzione giurata) by an official translator are often required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students get free tuition in Italy?

Yes. Students with an ISEE Parificato under approximately €13,000 receive a full tuition waiver at public universities. DSU scholarship recipients also receive free tuition. MAECI scholarship holders are exempt from tuition at public institutions.

What is the DSU borsa di studio and who qualifies?

The borsa di studio is a means-tested grant provided by regional DSU agencies. It covers tuition, housing, and meals. You qualify if your ISEE Parificato is under approximately €26,000 and you meet minimum academic credit requirements. Both Italian and international students are eligible.

How much is the MAECI scholarship worth?

MAECI scholarships pay €900 per month plus a full tuition waiver and health insurance. The total value for a 9-month award is approximately €8,100 in stipend alone, plus tuition savings of €1,000–4,000.

Can I combine multiple scholarships?

In most cases, yes. A common combination is the DSU grant (for housing and meals) plus a university merit scholarship (for tuition). MAECI and DSU grants can sometimes be held together, but check the specific terms. Each scholarship specifies whether it is compatible with other funding.

When should I apply for Italian scholarships?

Start in January for programs beginning in October. IYT and university merit scholarships have early deadlines (January–April). MAECI opens in April–May. DSU applications run in August–September. Missing a deadline means waiting an entire year.

Do I need to speak Italian to get a scholarship?

Not always. MAECI scholarships for English-taught programs do not require Italian. University merit scholarships at Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi are available for English-taught programs. DSU grants have no language requirement. Italian-taught programs require B2 Italian certification.

What is a Collegio di Merito?

A Collegio di Merito is a residential college that selects students through competitive exams. Residents receive free housing, meals, and academic enrichment. Italy has about 50 recognized Collegi. The most selective — Scuola Normale Superiore, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Collegio Ghislieri — fully fund all admitted students.

Are there scholarships specifically for PhD students in Italy?

Yes. All funded PhD positions in Italy come with a stipend of approximately €16,000–19,000 per year (gross), plus tuition waiver. MAECI also funds PhD research visits. Many Italian universities offer fully funded PhD positions to international applicants through departmental calls published between March and June.

What happens if I lose my DSU scholarship?

If you fail to meet the minimum credit requirement, you lose the grant for the following year. You keep the benefits already received — no repayment is required. You can regain eligibility by meeting the credit threshold the next year. Some regions offer a one-year grace period for students who fall slightly short.

How competitive are Italian university scholarships?

It depends on the institution. Politecnico di Milano’s Platinum Scholarship is highly competitive (100 awards from thousands of applicants). Bocconi’s full merit award is similarly selective. UNIBO Action 1 awards 30–50 scholarships per year. DSU grants are not competitive at all — every qualifying student receives one.