Scholarships & Funding ·
By Yunus Emre · Rome Consultancy
Scholarships in Italy 2027: DSU, Italian Government (MAECI) and Invest Your Talent
Which scholarships can international students get in Italy? For a bachelor's, the key sources are the income-based DSU grant and university scholarships. For a master's, the Italian government (MAECI) and Invest Your Talent in Italy pay €10,800 a year. Rules and dates from the official calls.
Short answer: For international bachelor's students, the most common scholarship in Italy is the regional, income-based DSU grant, worth at least €7,171.11 in 2026/27 for off-site students, plus universities' own scholarships. For a master's, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs MAECI scholarship and Invest Your Talent in Italy each pay €10,800; both take applications in spring.
Which scholarships are available in Italy?
| Scholarship | Who for | Amount | Application window |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSU (regional grant) | Bachelor's and master's, income-based | At least €7,171.11 for off-site students + housing/meals | Usually summer, by region |
| MAECI (Italian government) | Master's, AFAM (arts/music), PhD | €10,800 (9 months) | 2026/27 call closed 26 March 2026 |
| Invest Your Talent in Italy | Master's + compulsory internship; Turkey eligible | €10,800 a year | 2026/27: 20 April - 11 May 2026 |
| University scholarships | Varies (e.g. Bocconi bachelor's) | Partial or full tuition waiver | With the admission application |
DSU: the first stop for bachelor's students
DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) grants are paid by regional student-support agencies based on family income and assets (ISEE parificato for non-EU students). Besides cash, they can include a dorm place, meals and often a tuition waiver. See our DSU guide for amounts and income limits.
Who can get the Italian government (MAECI) scholarship?
- Programmes: master's (laurea magistrale), AFAM, PhD and research, Italian language courses. No new applications for bachelor's degrees; that category is for renewals only.
- Amount: €10,800 in three instalments to an Italian bank account, reduced pro rata for arrivals after 15 November.
- Age limit: 28 for master's, 30 for PhD.
- Language: at least B2 in English or Italian, depending on the programme.
- Tuition: some universities waive fees for scholarship holders, but that is the university's decision; the regional tax is always due.
- How to apply: through the Study in Italy portal, which lists the eligible countries each year; selection is by citizenship.
What is Invest Your Talent in Italy?
A joint programme of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICE and Uni-Italia. In the 2026/27 call (11th edition), Turkey is an eligible country:
- A master's or postgraduate programme from the programme list, with a compulsory internship at an Italian company.
- €10,800 a year, paid quarterly.
- At least B2 English (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge and others), a one-page CV and a short video.
- One programme only, and you must be admitted to it.
- Part of the architecture and design scholarships is reserved for students from Turkey, India, Indonesia, Brazil and Ethiopia.
- Students already enrolled at, or graduated from, an Italian university cannot apply.
University scholarships
Many universities have their own awards. Bocconi, for example, gives 2027-28 bachelor's students tuition waivers of 20% to 100% based on family finances; see our Bocconi admission guide. Applying in early rounds usually helps.
When should you prepare?
- November-January: university applications and university scholarships (Bocconi's Winter session closes 26 January 2027).
- February-May: MAECI and Invest Your Talent calls. The 2027/28 dates are not out yet; last year MAECI closed in March and Invest Your Talent in May.
- Summer: DSU applications. Prepare ISEE parificato documents early.
Frequently asked questions
Can you study in Italy on a full scholarship?
Yes, usually by combining support: a tuition waiver, a DSU cash grant and a dorm place. For students who meet the income criteria, DSU is the foundation.
Is there an Italian government scholarship for bachelor's degrees?
Not for new applicants in the 2026/27 MAECI call; bachelor's places are renewals only. Look at DSU and university scholarships instead.
Can a scholarship count as proof of funds for the visa?
An official scholarship letter can be used as proof of financial means. See our proof of funds guide for the amount.
Find the right scholarships with us
Which awards fit you depends on your programme, university, family income and timing. Fill in our free assessment form and we will build a scholarship plan with you.
Last checked: 9 November 2026. MAECI and Invest Your Talent details come from the official 2026/27 calls; we will update this post when the 2027/28 calls are published.