Top 5 Scholarships in Italy for International Students (Comprehensive Guide)

1. Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI) — “Italian Government Grants for Foreign Citizens”

Why it’s top-tier: These are national scholarships awarded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). They’re designed specifically for foreign citizens and Italians living abroad, and they cover a range of study options (degree programmes, research, Italian language and culture courses).

Because they are government-backed and intended to strengthen international academic exchange, they’re widely recognized and competitively prized. Ministry of Foreign Affairs+1

Who can apply

Foreign citizens (non-Italian) and Italian citizens living abroad.
Applicants for bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, research periods and language/culture courses — depending on the annual call.
Eligibility can be restricted by country of residence or recommended fields on a given year’s call; always check the current call’s list of eligible countries.

Typical benefits

A monetary grant (varies by year; for full degree grants often several thousand euros per year).
Tuition fee exemption in some cases and/or coverage for research/study periods.
For language & culture courses, the grant amount and duration differ (shorter and smaller amounts).

Deadlines & how to apply

Applications are submitted via the Study in Italy portal (Study in Italy platform run by MAECI). The portal lists open calls and instructions. For instance, the 2025–2026 call required online applications by 2 p.m. CET on 16 May 2025 (deadlines change each academic year, so always check the portal).

Tips

Read the call carefully: some grants are for short-term research or language courses and are not renewable; others can be renewed with satisfactory academic progress.
Start early: prepare transcripts, recommendation letters and any proof of pre-admission required by the call well before the deadline.

2. Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) — scholarships run with top Italian universities

Why it’s top-tier: “Invest Your Talent in Italy” is a high-profile programme that partners several leading Italian universities (Politecnico di Milano, University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, and others) and specific countries/regions to offer scholarships aimed at talented international students.

It focuses on master’s degrees and provides both scholarships and access to prestigious programmes. The scholarship is marketed internationally and includes tuition waivers and a stipend plus mentoring and internship opportunities with Italian companies in many cases.

Who can apply

International students from target countries identified in each year’s call (the list of eligible countries varies by university and edition).
Applicants to select master’s programmes (often English-taught) at participating universities.

Typical benefits

Coverage may include full or partial tuition waivers, a monthly stipend, and sometimes travel support.
Additional benefits can include expedited admission processing, mentoring, and internship placement support with Italian industry partners (depending on the edition and university).

Deadlines & how to apply

Applications are usually made through each participating university’s portal as part of their master’s admissions (and sometimes through a centralized IYT call).

Deadlines vary by university and edition — the 2025 calls in many instances had application deadlines early in the calendar year (e.g., February–March 2025 for some intakes). Always check each host university’s IYT page.

Tips

If your country is on the eligible list, consider applying early — IYT is highly competitive and often targeted at countries with fast-growing applicant pools.
Use the programme’s industry tie-ins in your application: highlight career goals that match Italy’s strengths (engineering, design, fashion, food technology, etc.).

3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) — EU-funded scholarships (many programmes include Italian partners)

Why it’s top-tier: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are prestigious, multinational master’s programmes created and funded by the EU. Many such programmes include Italian universities as consortium partners.

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is generous — it typically covers tuition, a monthly allowance, travel and insurance for selected participants, and it is awarded to the highest-ranked applicants worldwide.

Because the programme involves mobility across countries and consortium institutions, students gain a multi-country academic experience and joint/double degrees.

Who can apply

Candidates worldwide for the specific EMJMDs (each programme has its own eligibility and application process).
Applicants apply directly to the specific joint master (EMJMD) and may be considered for funded scholarships during the selection.

Typical benefits

Tuition coverage.
Monthly living allowance (often around €1,000–€1,400 per month depending on the programme and country), travel allowance and insurance.
Scholarships usually cover the standard duration of the master (1–2 years).

Deadlines & how to apply

Each EMJMD publishes its own call; deadlines are usually annual and occur early in the year for the following academic year (e.g., many 2025 calls closed in February–March 2025). Carefully check the specific master’s programme website for exact dates.

Tips

Prepare a strong, tailored application — EMJMD selection is highly competitive and takes into account academic excellence, motivation and fit with the programme.
If you are not awarded the scholarship, you can often apply as a self-funded student — but priority and financial support go to scholarship recipients.

4. University-Specific Scholarships — examples: University of Bologna (International Talents @Unibo) & Politecnico di Milano Merit Scholarships

Why they’re top-tier: Many leading Italian universities run their own international scholarships that combine tuition waivers with cash awards or fee exemptions. Two strong examples are the University of Bologna’s International Talents @Unibo scholarships and the merit-based scholarships and waivers at Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi).

These university scholarships are specifically targeted to attract top international talent and usually include fee waivers plus monthly awards or lump-sum grants.

University of Bologna — International Talents @Unibo

What it offers: A number of scholarships for deserving international students enrolling in second-cycle (master’s) degree programmes. For the 2025/26 cycle the University announced 30 scholarships for second-cycle students (worth a cash amount and tuition exemption).

Benefits typically include a scholarship amount (e.g., €6,500 gross) plus full tuition fee exemption, though the exact package depends on the edition.
How to apply: Apply for admission to the chosen master’s programme and then follow the scholarship application instructions on the university scholarships page. Deadlines and application procedures are posted annually.

Politecnico di Milano — Merit & Campus Scholarships (including Invest Your Talent connections)

What it offers: Politecnico offers a combination of merit scholarships, tuition fee waivers and access to the “Invest Your Talent in Italy” placements for eligible students. The university publishes calls (often a detailed “Call for Application for Merit” PDF) that specify amounts, eligible programmes and how to apply.
How to apply: Follow the Polimi scholarships page for the relevant academic year and complete the required scholarship application alongside or after the programme application.

Tips for university scholarships

University scholarships are often tied to programme admission — get admitted first or apply simultaneously when allowed.
Prepare strong supporting documents: academic transcripts, motivation letter, and (if required) certified language test scores.

5. Regional & Foundation Scholarships (e.g., regional grants, ER.GO, regional bursaries)

Why they’re important: Beyond national and university-level grants, Italy’s regions and private foundations offer targeted scholarships and living-cost support, especially for students who can demonstrate financial need or merit.

Examples include regional student benefits, ER.GO services (regional student services in Emilia-Romagna, which administer financial aid and housing support) and private foundations that fund study in specific fields or regions.

These awards can be combined with national or university scholarships to make living in Italy far more affordable.

Who can apply

Eligibility depends on region/foundation: many consider residency (or intended residence), economic documentation (ISEE or equivalent for means-testing) and academic merit.
International students in many cases can apply for regional benefits, but the application process and documentation differ across regions.

Typical benefits

Monthly living stipends, housing support, meal vouchers or additional fee exemptions.
Some benefits are full packages that include access to subsidized university residences. University of Bologna

Tips

Search for “regional student services” or the specific university’s information on regional financial aid (e.g., University of Bologna guidance for “ISEE and useful documents” for scholarship applicants). Start collecting income/asset documentation early — getting an ISEE-equivalent certificate can take several weeks.

How to choose which scholarship(s) to apply for

Match purpose & level: Government and MAECI scholarships suit a wide range of levels and often short-term research; IYT and university scholarships are primarily for master’s studies; Erasmus Mundus targets joint masters.
Check eligibility early: Some calls restrict applicants by nationality, field or degree level. Make sure you’re eligible before investing time in a long application.
Combine awards when allowed: You can often stack regional benefits with university or national scholarships (check the rules for overlapping support).
Prepare documents ahead: Transcripts, translated diplomas, proof of language proficiency, motivation letters, recommendation letters, and sometimes financial documentation (for need-based awards) — have these ready well before deadlines.

Practical checklist — applying for scholarships in Italy

Find the official call pages: MAECI/Study in Italy portal for government grants; university scholarship pages (e.g., Unibo, Polimi); Erasmus Mundus programme pages for EMJMDs.
Note exact deadlines and timezones (Italian deadlines are CET/CEST). For example, the MAECI call for 2025 listed a deadline of 2 p.m. CET on 16 May 2025.
Translate and legalize documents if requested — some calls require official translations or certified copies.
Write a concise, tailored motivation letter explaining why you chose Italy, the specific programme and how the scholarship will enable your goals. Highlight academic achievements and relevant work or internship experience.
Prepare referees and request recommendation letters early — referees often need weeks to provide a thoughtful letter.

Conclusion.

Italy offers a variety of high-quality scholarships for international students. Whether you aim for a government grant (MAECI), a university-sponsored award (University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano), the internationally prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships, the country- and university-linked Invest Your Talent in Italy programme, or regional/foundation support, there are multiple paths to reduce or eliminate the financial burden of study in Italy.

Because details change year to year (eligible countries, amounts, deadlines), always consult the official sources listed below before you apply. Below are the primary official pages and programme links I used to compile this guide — bookmark them and check them early in your application timeline.