Embassy of France in Italy/Primoli Foundation - Doctoral Scholarships in French Language and Culture

What the Primoli scholarship gives you

You have been awarded 1,060 EUR per month for a research stay in France lasting between 2 and 5 consecutive months. These funds will be used to finance a research project that you will carry out in France on the subjects of the French language, literature or culture. The grant is awarded by the French Embassy in Italy (Institut français Italia) in collaboration with the Fondazione Primoli.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student or have already completed your PhD.
• Where you study now: If you are applying, you must be enrolled at an Italian university.
• Field: Your project focuses on French and Francophone literature, the French language and linguistics, or French culture.
• Research plan: You have a clearly defined, documented project that you will be carrying out in France.
• Age: It is 35 of 31 December in the year prior to the stay. For the 2026th round, this means 31 December 2025.
• Grades: You completed your degree with excellent marks.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply, provided they are enrolled at an Italian university.
• Repeat rule: If you have already received this scholarship, you may only apply again after four years.
• Bonus: An affiliation with a French university, centre or laboratory is an advantage, but not a requirement.

How to apply

First, complete the online form. Then send your full application documents as a single PDF file by email and by post to the Fondazione Primoli in Rome. The documents should include a letter of motivation in French, your CV, copies of your qualifications, a recommendation from your host in France, and two recommendations from Italian professors. The application deadline is 15 June, and a selection committee will decide on the award of the scholarships.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must be a junior researcher at an Italian university specialising specifically in the French language, literature or culture, meaning that the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you clearly meet these criteria and submit a well-documented project – ideally already in collaboration with a French institution – your chances are good. A convincing, comprehensive application is more important here than simply competing against others.