Top Scholarships in Italy for International Students 2026: Complete Guide

Sharleen Kapoor

12 min read • Jul 24, 2026

Quick Answer: Top scholarships in Italy for international students 2026: (1) MAECI Italian Government Scholarships – monthly allowance EUR 700-900 + tuition waiver; apply March-May each year at maeci.it; open to Indian students; (2) Invest Your Talent in Italy – EUR 900/month stipend + 100% tuition for MS in Engineering, Architecture, Design; apply at uni-italy.it; (3) University of Bologna Study Grants – EUR 11,000/year; merit-based; unibo.it; (4) Politecnico di Milano – Gold (fully funded) and Silver (partial) scholarships for MS programs; polimi.it; (5) University of Padua International Excellence – full tuition + EUR 8,000/year stipend; unipd.it. 102,354+ international students enrolled in Italy (latest MIUR data). Italy tuition: EUR 900-4,500/year; living: EUR 800-1,800/month.

Italy has it all: world-renowned universities, an affordable education system, and a rich culture. Over 102,354 international students chose Italy for higher education, according to the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR – miur.gov.it).

If you dream of studying engineering in Milan, philosophy in Bologna, or art history in Florence, the right scholarship can help make it happen. Italy offers some of Europe’s most generous scholarship programs – and crucially, many are specifically open to Indian students.

This guide covers the top 10 scholarships in Italy for international students 2026, with official application sources, amounts, deadlines, and eligibility.

Why Italy for International Students?

Factor	Details
Tuition fees	EUR 900-4,500/year at public universities – significantly lower than UK (GBP 20,000-35,000/year) or USA ($30,000-60,000/year)
Living costs	EUR 800-1,800/month depending on city. Bologna and Padua are affordable at EUR 800-1,200/month.
English-taught programs	800+ master’s programs taught entirely in English (Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi, University of Bologna).
Scholarship generosity	MAECI government scholarships cover tuition + monthly stipend. PhD programs typically include stipend EUR 1,000-1,400/month.
Post-study work visa	Italy allows 1-year job search visa after graduation (Decreto Flussi pathway). Schengen Zone access.
Cultural and academic heritage	University of Bologna (est. 1088) is the oldest university in the world. Italy has 4 QS top-100 universities.

Top 10 Scholarships in Italy 2026: At-a-Glance

Scholarship	Coverage	Who Can Apply	Deadline	Official Source
MAECI Italian Government Scholarships	Tuition waiver + EUR 700-900/month allowance + health insurance	International students including Indians; MS, PhD, language courses	March-May each year	maeci.it
Invest Your Talent in Italy	100% tuition + EUR 900/month stipend	International students; MS in Engineering, Architecture, Design, Advanced Technologies	Check uni-italy.it for annual cycle	uni-italy.it
University of Bologna Study Grants (Unibo Action 1 and 2)	EUR 11,000/year (partial to full support)	All international students; UG and MS programs; merit-based	Check unibo.it for annual deadlines	unibo.it
Politecnico di Milano – Gold and Silver Scholarships	Gold: fully funded (tuition + EUR 8,700/year). Silver: partial tuition	International students; MS programs at Polimi in Engineering, Design, Architecture	Check polimi.it for 2026-27 cycle	polimi.it/scholarships
University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship	Full tuition waiver + EUR 8,000/year stipend	Outstanding international students; MS programs	Check unipd.it for annual deadline	unipd.it/en/scholarships
Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships	Fully funded: tuition + accommodation + monthly stipend	PhD applicants; highly competitive; fields: Sciences, Humanities	Annual PhD call at normalien.it	normalien.it
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies PhD Grants	Fully funded: tuition + EUR 1,000-1,200/month stipend	PhD scholars; Engineering, Political Science, Biosciences	Annual PhD call at santannapisa.it	santannapisa.it
EDISU Piemonte Scholarships (Turin)	Partial tuition reduction + accommodation support	Students enrolled in Turin universities; merit and need-based	Check edisu-piemonte.it	edisu-piemonte.it
University of Pavia Scholarships for Developing Countries	Partial to full tuition waiver	Students from developing countries including India; specific programs	Check unipv.it/en/studying-pavia/scholarships	unipv.it
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice Scholarships	Merit and need-based partial support	All international students; humanities, sciences, economics	Check unive.it	unive.it/scholarships

All deadlines and amounts are indicative based on recent cycles. Verify at each official source before applying. EUR 1 = approximately Rs 90 at mid-2026 rates.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Italy for Students: Realistic Budget Guide

1. MAECI Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students

The MAECI (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) scholarships are the Italian government’s flagship program for international students. These are bilateral scholarships offered through Italy’s network of embassies worldwide, including in India.

Detail	Information
Coverage	Tuition waiver at Italian public universities + monthly allowance of EUR 700-900 (varies by academic level) + health insurance coverage
Programs covered	Master’s degree; PhD programs; advanced research; Italian language and culture courses
Eligibility	International students including Indians; bachelor’s degree (for MS); relevant previous degree (for PhD); strong academic record; some programs require Italian or English language certificate
Application deadline	Typically March-May each year for the following academic year. Check maeci.it and the Italian Embassy in India for exact dates.
Application process	Apply through the Italian Embassy/Consulate in India or directly at maeci.it; submit academic transcripts, motivation letter, language certificate, passport
INR equivalent	EUR 700-900/month = Rs 63,000-81,000/month stipend in addition to tuition waiver
Official source	esteri.it/en/politica_estera_sviluppo/cultura/MAECI-scholarships OR maeci.it; Italian Embassy in India at ambdelhi.esteri.it

2. Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship

The Invest Your Talent in Italy program is jointly offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), the ICE Agency, and Uni-Italy. It specifically targets engineering, technology, architecture, and design programs – making it highly relevant for Indian STEM students.

Detail	Information
Coverage	100% tuition fee waiver + EUR 900/month stipend (Rs 81,000/month) + support services
Programs covered	Master’s degrees in Engineering, Advanced Technologies, Architecture, Design at participating Italian universities
Participating universities	Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, and others
Eligibility	International students; strong academic record in relevant undergraduate field; English language proficiency
Application	Apply through uni-italy.it; check for annual application window (typically September-November for following academic year)
Why it matters for Indian students	EUR 900/month covers significant portion of living costs in Italy; 100% tuition means studying at top Italian engineering schools at minimal out-of-pocket cost
Official source	uni-italy.it; study-in-italy.it

Also Read: Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: Complete Guide, Benefits and Application Tips

3. University of Bologna Study Grants (Unibo Action 1 and 2)

The University of Bologna – the world’s oldest university, founded in 1088 – offers generous study grants for international students through its Unibo Action 1 and Action 2 programs. These grants make Bologna’s already affordable education even more accessible.

Detail	Information
Coverage	EUR 11,000/year for qualifying students. Covers a significant portion or all of tuition and provides living support.
Action 1 vs Action 2	Action 1: for students with significant financial need + academic merit. Action 2: for students from outside the EU with strong academic records. Both are merit-based.
Programs covered	Both undergraduate and master’s programs at University of Bologna
Eligibility	International students; strong ISEE-equivalent financial documentation for Action 1; strong academic record for both
Application deadline	Check unibo.it/en/study/scholarships-grants-and-tuition-fees annually; typically September-October for academic year starting that autumn
Why Bologna	University of Bologna is one of Italy’s most internationally active universities; English-taught master’s programs across 11 schools; Bologna is affordable (EUR 800-1,200/month living)
Official source	unibo.it/en/study/scholarships-grants-and-tuition-fees

4. Politecnico di Milano – Gold and Silver Scholarships

Politecnico di Milano (#9 globally for Engineering and Technology, QS 2025) offers two tiers of merit-based scholarships for international students – making one of Europe’s top technical universities accessible without full private funding.

Detail	Information
Gold Scholarship	Fully funded: covers 100% tuition + provides EUR 8,700/year stipend for living costs. Most competitive.
Silver Scholarship	Partial tuition coverage. Reduces financial burden significantly.
Programs covered	All master’s programs at Politecnico di Milano: Engineering, Architecture, Design, Urban Planning
Eligibility	International students; strong academic record; admitted to a Polimi master’s program
QS rank	#9 globally for Engineering and Technology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
Application	Apply at polimi.it/en/education/scholarships-and-prizes when applying for master’s admission; scholarship considered at time of admission
Official source	polimi.it/en/education/scholarships-and-prizes

5. University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship

The University of Padua (founded 1222) offers the International Excellence Scholarship for outstanding international students. Padua is historically significant – Galileo Galilei taught here for 18 years – and continues to rank among Italy’s top research universities.

Detail	Information
Coverage	Full tuition waiver + EUR 8,000/year stipend (Rs 72,000/year in addition to zero tuition)
Programs covered	Master’s programs across faculties at University of Padua
Eligibility	Outstanding academic record; English language proficiency; admitted to a Padua master’s program
Living advantage	Padua has one of Italy’s lowest student living costs – EUR 800-1,300/month
Application	Apply at unipd.it/en/scholarships when applying for program admission; check annual deadline
Official source	unipd.it/en/scholarships

PhD Scholarships in Italy 2026

PhD programs in Italy are particularly attractive because most are tuition-free and come with a monthly stipend. This makes Italian PhD programs some of the most cost-effective doctoral opportunities in Europe.

Scholarship	Monthly Stipend	Fields	Official Source
Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships	EUR 1,100-1,400/month + tuition + accommodation	Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences – highly selective	normalien.it
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies PhD Grants	EUR 1,000-1,200/month + tuition waiver	Engineering, Political Science, Biosciences, Law and Economics	santannapisa.it
University of Milan PhD Fellowships	EUR 1,195/month (standard MIUR rate) + tuition waiver	Wide range: STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences	unimi.it/en/study/phd
University of Trento PhD Research Grants	EUR 1,195-1,500/month + tuition	Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology	unitn.it/en
Politecnico di Torino PhD Scholarships	EUR 1,195/month + tuition	Engineering, Architecture – industry-linked programs	polito.it/en/education/phd

The standard Italian PhD stipend is set by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) at EUR 1,195/month as of 2025-26. Many universities offer higher amounts for competitive programs. Source: MUR (miur.gov.it) – PhD fellowship regulations.

Also Read: Italy Cost of Living for Students: Realistic Budget Guide 2026

Scholarships in Italy Specifically Open to Indian Students

All scholarships listed in this article are open to Indian students. Some are specifically country-inclusive by design:

Scholarship	Why Especially Relevant for Indians	Apply At
MAECI Italian Government Scholarships	Bilateral agreement between India and Italy; Indian Embassy in Delhi coordinates applications; many Indian students receive these annually	maeci.it + Italian Embassy New Delhi (ambdelhi.esteri.it)
Invest Your Talent in Italy	Specifically designed for students from non-EU countries; STEM focus aligns with Indian student strengths	uni-italy.it
University of Pavia Scholarships for Developing Countries	Specifically for students from developing countries including India; some programs have India-specific quotas	unipv.it/en/studying-pavia/scholarships
Bologna Unibo Action 2	Designed for non-EU students; merit-based; no financial need documentation required	unibo.it/en/study/scholarships-grants-and-tuition-fees
Erasmus Mundus Scholarships (Italy-based programs)	Some Erasmus Mundus programs are based at Italian universities; Indian students are strongly encouraged	eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters_en

How to Apply for Scholarships in Italy: Step-by-Step

Step	Action	Timeline
Step 1	Choose your program and university. Use GradRight SelectRight to identify Italian universities offering your target program with scholarship options. Research Universitaly (universitaly.it) for official program database.	6-12 months before deadline
Step 2	Check eligibility and deadlines at each scholarship’s official website. Do not mix up deadlines if applying to multiple scholarships. Set phone reminders for each deadline.	As soon as you identify target scholarships
Step 3	Prepare documents: academic transcripts (attested copies); CV; Statement of Purpose or Motivation Letter; language certificates (IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs; Italian certificate if required); passport; Letters of Recommendation.	2-3 months before deadline
Step 4	Apply online through: maeci.it for MAECI scholarships; uni-italy.it for Invest Your Talent; individual university portals for university-specific scholarships. Most applications require creating an account and uploading documents.	Before deadline
Step 5	Follow up. Enable email notifications. Be on lookout for interview calls, additional documentation requests, or waitlist notifications.	After submission

Scholarships in Italy Without IELTS

Many Italian universities and scholarship programs accept alternative English proficiency proofs instead of IELTS. This is particularly useful for Indian students from English-medium institutions.

Alternative to IELTS	Details	Universities Accepting This
Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate	Proof that your previous degree was taught entirely in English; issued by your Indian university	University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Milan, Politecnico di Milano
TOEFL iBT	Minimum 90 for most programs; 100+ for competitive programs	All major Italian universities
Internal University Language Test	Some universities conduct their own language assessment	University of Padua, Ca’ Foscari Venice, University of Pisa
Duolingo English Test	Accepted by some Italian universities for less competitive programs; check with specific university	Verify at each university’s admissions page

If your graduation degree was taught and examined in English, get a Medium of Instruction certificate from your Indian university. This is the most commonly accepted alternative to IELTS for Italian university applications.

Best Cities in Italy for International Students: Scholarships and Living Costs

City	Top Universities	Tuition (EUR/yr)	Living Cost (EUR/mo)	Strong For
Bologna	University of Bologna (world’s oldest)	1,500-3,500	800-1,200	Research, Law, Humanities; Unibo grants EUR 11,000/yr
Milan	Bocconi, Politecnico di Milano	1,500-4,500	1,200-1,800	Engineering, Fashion, Business; Polimi Gold/Silver scholarships
Rome	Sapienza, Tor Vergata, Roma Tre	1,000-4,000	1,000-1,500	History, Humanities, Political Science, Medicine
Pisa	University of Pisa, Sant’Anna	1,000-3,500	900-1,400	Science, Technology; Sant’Anna fully-funded PhD
Padua	University of Padua	1,500-4,000	800-1,300	Science, Medicine, Philosophy; International Excellence Scholarship
Turin	University of Turin, Politecnico di Torino	1,000-3,500	900-1,400	Engineering, Industrial Studies; EDISU Piemonte scholarships
Florence	University of Florence	1,000-3,500	900-1,500	Art, Architecture, Social Sciences
Venice	Ca’ Foscari University	1,000-3,000	900-1,500	Humanities, Environmental Studies, Economics

Find Italian universities that match your profile and offer scholarships for your program. AI-powered, 40,000+ programs, free. Explore Italy Programs on GradRight

Even with scholarships, you may need education loan support for living costs. GradRight FundRight connects you with 18+ lenders for the best rates for Italy programs. Apply for Italy Education Loan on GradRight

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best scholarships available to study in Italy in 2026?

The top scholarships to study in Italy for international students in 2026: MAECI Italian Government Scholarships (tuition waiver + EUR 700-900/month; open to Indians; maeci.it; deadline March-May each year); Invest Your Talent in Italy (EUR 900/month + 100% tuition for MS in Engineering, Architecture, Design; uni-italy.it); University of Bologna Study Grants/Unibo Action 1 and 2 (EUR 11,000/year; merit-based; unibo.it); Politecnico di Milano Gold Scholarship (fully funded: 100% tuition + EUR 8,700/year; polimi.it); University of Padua International Excellence (full tuition + EUR 8,000/year stipend; unipd.it); Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships (fully funded PhD including accommodation; normalien.it); Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies PhD Grants (fully funded PhD + EUR 1,000-1,200/month; santannapisa.it).

How can I apply for a fully funded scholarship in Italy?

To apply for a fully funded scholarship in Italy: (1) Check eligibility at the official scholarship website – maeci.it for government scholarships; uni-italy.it for Invest Your Talent; normalien.it for Scuola Normale Superiore; santannapisa.it for Sant’Anna. (2) Prepare documents: academic transcripts (attested copies); CV; Statement of Purpose or Motivation Letter; language certificates (IELTS/TOEFL for English programs or Italian certificate); passport; Letters of Recommendation. (3) Apply online through the official portal before the deadline. MAECI deadlines are typically March-May each year. University-specific deadlines vary – check each university’s admissions page. (4) Follow up by monitoring your email for interview calls or additional documentation requests.

Are there scholarships in Italy for Indian students?

Yes, most scholarships in Italy are open to Indian students. Key ones that are specifically inclusive of Indians: MAECI Italian Government Scholarships (bilateral India-Italy program; coordinated through Italian Embassy in Delhi at ambdelhi.esteri.it); Invest Your Talent in Italy (designed for non-EU students including Indians); University of Pavia Scholarships for Developing Countries (India specifically listed); Unibo Action 2 at University of Bologna (for non-EU students); Erasmus Mundus programs based at Italian universities (Indian students encouraged). Italy’s relatively affordable tuition (EUR 900-4,500/year) also means that even partial scholarships or monthly stipends make studying very affordable compared to UK or USA.

Can I get a scholarship to study in Italy without IELTS?

Yes, many Italian universities accept alternative English proficiency proofs. The most commonly accepted alternative for Indian students is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate – a letter from your Indian university confirming that your degree was taught and examined in English. Universities accepting MOI certificates include University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Milan, and Politecnico di Milano. TOEFL iBT (minimum 90) is widely accepted. Some universities conduct internal language tests. Duolingo English Test is accepted by some programs. Always verify English proficiency requirements at the specific program’s official admissions page before applying, as requirements differ by program.

Which universities in Italy offer scholarships for international students?

Italian universities with well-established scholarship programs for international students: University of Bologna (Unibo Action 1 and 2 grants; EUR 11,000/year; unibo.it); Politecnico di Milano (Gold fully-funded + Silver partial scholarships; polimi.it); University of Padua (International Excellence Scholarship; full tuition + EUR 8,000/year; unipd.it); Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa (fully funded PhD; normalien.it); Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (fully funded PhD; santannapisa.it); Politecnico di Torino (engineering scholarships; polito.it); Ca’ Foscari Venice (merit and need-based; unive.it); Bocconi University (need-based and merit-based; unibocconi.eu); University of Trento (research grants; unitn.it); University of Pavia (developing countries scholarships; unipv.it).