FARNESINA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Italian government scholarships for foreign and I.R.E. students

Benefit: what you get

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers scholarships to study at a public or accredited private Italian institution. Two types of award are available: a main scholarship lasting 9 months (November to July) and a shorter 3-month language scholarship covering Italian language and culture courses (January to September). Exact monthly amounts are set per academic cycle - check the Study in Italy portal for the current figures. Both include collective health and accident insurance. Some Italian universities also waive tuition fees for scholarship holders, though this varies by institution.

Six scholarship types are on offer: a Master's degree (2nd cycle), fine arts, music or dance programmes (AFAM, 1st or 2nd cycle), a PhD, a supervised research project, an intensive Italian language course, and continuation of a Bachelor's degree started in 2025-2026. Research projects can be carried out at universities, public research bodies, museums or archives.

Eligibility: who can apply

• Location: You must be living outside Italy and not currently enrolled at, or graduated from, an Italian institution.
• Nationality: Open to students from roughly 139 countries listed on the Study in Italy portal. Italians living abroad (Italian citizenship only) can also apply, but only if resident in one of roughly 20 specified countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East or Oceania.
• Degree level: Master's, AFAM (fine arts, music or dance, 1st or 2nd cycle), PhD, or supervised research. Standard Bachelor's and single-cycle programmes are not covered, except for students continuing a funded Bachelor's from the previous academic cycle.
• Age: Up to 28 for Master's, AFAM and language courses; up to 30 for PhD; up to 40 for research projects.
• Language: Italian or English at B2 level (CEFR) for Master's and AFAM programmes. PhD and research scholarships require no language certificate. The language course requires at least A2 Italian.
• PhD applicants: You must already hold a formal admission letter from an Italian university.
• Research applicants: You must provide an invitation letter from your supervisor and a written research project.
• Field of study: All subjects are eligible.
• Combining with other funding: Cannot be held alongside other Italian government or Italian public-institution scholarships. Erasmus+ and other international grants are compatible.

How to apply

Apply through the Study in Italy portal (studyinitaly.esteri.it) by 28 May. The Italian diplomatic mission in your country reviews applications first; shortlisted candidates are then called for an interview before a ranked list is published.