Italian Government and University Scholarships: A Complete Funding Guide

How funding for studying in Italy is layered

Funding to study in Italy comes from three distinct levels, and most international students combine them rather than relying on one. Knowing which level a scholarship sits at tells you who runs it, who can apply, and where the official application happens.

The national layer is run by the Italian government and its agencies. The regional layer is the right-to-study (diritto allo studio universitario, or DSU) system, run separately by each region. The university layer is each institution's own merit scholarships and fee reductions. Each has its own portal, eligibility rules and deadline, so confirm the details on the relevant official source for the current cycle.

• National: MAECI (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) scholarships and the 'Invest Your Talent in Italy' programme
• Regional: DSU / right-to-study grants run by each region's agency (e.g. DiSCo, ER.GO, EDISU)
• University: merit scholarships, tuition reductions and income-based fee bands (often assessed via the ISEE)

MAECI government scholarships and 'Invest Your Talent in Italy'

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships to foreign students and Italian citizens living abroad for study, research, training or Italian-language courses in Italy. The eligible countries and territories, the levels of study covered, the value and the application window are set in each annual call and published on the official Study in Italy / MAECI portal — so check the current call rather than an older edition.

'Invest Your Talent in Italy' (IYT) is a separate MAECI-supported programme that directs international students from selected countries toward specific master's degrees in fields such as engineering, management, economics and design, often paired with a company internship. The participating universities and eligible countries change between editions, so check the official IYT pages for the current call before applying.

Regional DSU / right-to-study grants

Italy's right-to-study (DSU) grants are means-tested awards run by each region's student-support agency, not by the central government. Depending on the scheme they can include a cash grant, accommodation and meal support, and a tuition exemption for eligible students — including many international students who meet the income and merit thresholds.

Because each region runs its own scheme with its own agency, portal and deadline, you apply through the DSU body for the region where your university is located. Income is usually assessed using the ISEE (or its equivalent calculation for foreign income), and the specific thresholds, amounts and benefits are published in each region's annual call — verify them there before relying on them.

University merit scholarships and fee reductions

Italian universities set their own merit scholarships, talent awards and tuition-fee bands. Many public universities scale tuition to assessed family income, so a lower assessed income can substantially reduce what you pay, separate from any scholarship.

Look on each university's official 'scholarships', 'tuition fees' or 'international students' pages, since the awards, exemptions, amounts and deadlines differ by institution. Apply early — university scholarship deadlines are often tied to, or earlier than, the admission deadline.

How to apply, step by step

The pre-enrolment and visa side for non-EU students runs through the official Universitaly portal and the Italian diplomatic mission in your country, while scholarship applications run through the relevant MAECI, regional DSU, or university portal. Keep these tracks separate but aligned on timing.

Documents commonly requested include academic transcripts and degree certificates, proof of admission or pre-enrolment, a motivation letter, references, language certificates (Italian or English depending on the programme), and an income/ISEE assessment for need-based grants. Requirements vary per scheme — read each official call carefully, and verify any visa step on the official source, as this is general information and not immigration advice.

• Check eligibility and the current call on the official Study in Italy / MAECI portal
• Apply to your region's DSU agency for a right-to-study grant
• Check each university's own scholarship and tuition-band pages
• Complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly and follow the visa steps with your local Italian mission