Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students

Last updated: 17 Mar 2016

Italian Government 
Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degrees

Deadline: 15 April 2016 (annual)
Study in: Italy
Course starts AY 2016/2017

Brief description: The Italian Government offers scholarships for studying in Italy both to worldwide citizens and Italian citizens resident abroad (IRE).  The scholarships are presented for the following type of courses: Undergraduate University courses (renewals only); Postgraduate University courses; Master’s Degree courses (Levels 1 or 2); Ph.D. Courses; Specialisation Schools; Research under academic supervision; Courses of Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance (AFAM); Advanced Courses on Italian language and culture Courses for Teachers of Italian as second language.

Host Institution(s): Scholarships can be offered only for study/ research projects at institutions within the Italian public education and research system.

Field(s) of Study: Eligible field(s) of study awerded by participating Italian Universities.

Target Group: Students from countries included in the Recipient Country List.

Scholarship value/duration: The scholarship duration can be III, VI, or IX months. Only for courses for teachers of Italian language the scholarship duration is I month.

Generally, the scholarship holders are exempt from the payment of the university tuition fee, in accordance with existing policy. However the Universities, as part of their autonomy, may not permit such exemption. Applicant are therefore recommended to contact the preferred Institution in order to be informed on eventual taxes or tuition fee.

For the sole time of the scholarships granted by the Italian Government, the scholarship-holders are covered by an insurance policy against illness and/or accident. Air tickets are not approved, except for Chilean citizens.

In depth information regarding the scholarship propose, can be requested to the Italian Embassy or Italian Cultural Institute in the candidate’s country of citizenship.

Eligibility: A. Educational qualification required by the chosen institution  (See Section III of the call for applications)

B. Knowledge of Italian Language:  applicants must possess a certificate of intermediate level in Italian (e.g. CILS B2, CELI 3, PLIDA B2 or INT.IT Roma Tre) or comparable linguistic proficiency issued by a local institution or language school (e.g. Italian Cultural organization, Dante Alighieri Society branch etc.). Candidates for enrolment in Advanced Courses on Italian language and culture must have at least an A2 level proficiency in Italian.

Italian language knowledge is not required for candidates who enroll for university courses held entirely in English.

C. Age limits:  applicants who are younger than 18 y. o. (born not after 15 April 1998) or older than 35 y. o. (born not before 15 April 1981) on the day of the closing date for the submission of the applications, are not eligible. Candidates for Courses for teachers of Italian as second language (see above, section III, letter I) are eligible until they are 45 y. o. (born not before 15 April 1971) on the day of the deadline for the submission of the applications.

D. Restrictions: Students enrolled in a year exceeding the legal duration of the course of study (the so-called “fuoricorso”) are not eligible for scholarships.

Application Instructions: All applicants must fill in the on-line application form at “Borse on Line” by 00:00 am (Italian time) on Friday, 15 April 2016.

Before submitting their applications, prospective candidates must contact the university or organization in Italy where they intend to study. They are advised to be as fully informed as possible about the organization and course of study of their choice.  Candidates are also requested to obtain country-specific information from the Italian diplomatic mission or Italian Cultural Institute of their country of origin, either in person or from the institutional websites.

It is essential the read the 2016/2017 Call for Applications and browse the authorized website to access the online application form and for in depth information on how to submit an application for this scholarship.

Website/Links: Authorized Scholarship Website: http://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/servizi/stranieri/opportunita/borsestudio_stranieri.html?LANG=EN