Italy Scholarships 2026–2027: Latest Scholarships for International Students
Last Updated: August 23, 2026
Italy is one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for international students because students can find government scholarships, university awards, tuition-fee reductions and regional financial support.
If you are planning to study in Italy for the 2026–2027 or 2027–2028 academic year, this guide brings together some of the most useful scholarship opportunities to watch, with a focus on official sources and current information.
The opportunities covered below include the Italian Government MAECI scholarship, the University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship, regional scholarships at Italian universities and other university-based funding routes.
Important: Scholarship deadlines, amounts and eligibility rules can change. Always check the official scholarship page before applying. A scholarship being listed in this article does not mean that its application is currently open.
1. Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI) – Italy
Country: Italy
Provider: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Study level: Master’s, PhD, research and selected higher-education programmes
Intake: 2026–2027
Student type: Eligible foreign citizens and Italian citizens living abroad
Latest published deadline: March 26, 2026
The Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI) are among the most important national scholarship opportunities for international students who want to study in Italy. The official 2026–2027 call covered Master’s degrees, PhD programmes, research projects and selected higher-education programmes.
The 2026–2027 call closed on March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CET. Students preparing for a future intake should therefore start preparing their documents now and monitor the official Study in Italy portal for the next call.
What can you study?
The 2026–2027 call included opportunities such as:
- Master’s degrees
- PhD programmes
- Research projects
- Higher education in Fine Arts, Music and Dance
- Intensive Italian language and culture courses
Applicants should use the official Study in Italy portal to check eligible countries, institutions and programmes. The scholarship is for academic courses held in Italy.
Who is this scholarship for?
The programme is designed for eligible international applicants from the countries and territories listed in the official call. Eligibility varies according to the scholarship category and study programme.
Applicants should check nationality, age, academic qualification, language and programme-specific requirements before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the official Study in Italy portal. Students should also check the admission procedure of their chosen Italian university because scholarship application and university admission can be separate processes. The Italian Ministry states that candidates apply exclusively through the Study in Italy portal for the MAECI call.
Official information
Official links:
Study in Italy – Scholarship Calls
2. University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship
University: University of Padua
Country: Italy
Study level: Bachelor’s and Master’s
Language: English-taught degree programmes
Scholarship value: €8,000 gross per academic year plus exemption from university tuition fees
Maximum duration: Up to 3 years for Bachelor’s/single-cycle programmes and up to 2 years for Master’s programmes
The Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme is one of the strongest university scholarships in Italy for international students.
The University of Padua currently lists up to 68 scholarships for talented international students who want to enrol in eligible English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s programmes. Selected students receive €8,000 gross per year and an exemption from university fees, although regional charges and the revenue stamp may still apply.
How the scholarship works
There is an important advantage for applicants: students applying to an eligible English-taught degree programme are automatically considered for the scholarship if they meet the scholarship conditions. The university says there is no separate scholarship application or additional scholarship documentation beyond the documents required for the degree application.
Who can apply?
Applicants generally need to:
- Be an international student who meets the nationality requirements
- Apply for an eligible English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s programme
- Meet the programme admission requirements
- Apply within the relevant admission deadline
- Demonstrate strong academic performance
The university selects candidates based on academic excellence and the quality of their previous academic career.
Why this scholarship is attractive
For international students looking for an English-taught degree in Italy, the combination of a yearly grant and tuition-fee exemption makes this a particularly valuable opportunity.
Official scholarship page:
University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship
3. University of Padua Regional Scholarship 2026–2027
University: University of Padua
Study level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, single-cycle Master’s and eligible PhD students
Academic year: 2026–2027
Deadline listed by the university: September 30, 2026
International students should not look only for merit scholarships. Italy also has regional student-support systems that can provide significant financial assistance based on economic circumstances and academic requirements.
The University of Padua’s Regional Scholarship call for 2026–2027 is currently listed on the university website, with a September 30, 2026 deadline for the required application steps. The university states that international students living abroad can use an ISEE Parificato process to document their financial situation.
Eligible students can include those enrolling in Bachelor’s, Master’s, single-cycle Master’s and certain PhD programmes.
What can regional support include?
Depending on the student’s eligibility and the relevant regional call, support can include financial assistance and other student benefits. The exact amount and services depend on the annual call and the student’s economic and academic status.
Why international students should check this
This is especially important for students who may not win a highly competitive merit scholarship. A regional scholarship can provide another route to reducing the cost of studying in Italy.
Official information:
University of Padua Regional Scholarships 2026–2027
4. University of Bologna – Scholarships and Fee Reductions
University: University of Bologna
Country: Italy
Study level: Bachelor’s, Master’s and other eligible programmes
Funding: Scholarships, fee reductions and regional student benefits
The University of Bologna offers several financial-support routes rather than relying on one single scholarship. Its official tuition and fee information states that students can access scholarships and other right-to-higher-education benefits, including regional support and accommodation-related assistance.
For international students, the university also has arrangements for reduced fees in certain circumstances, including specific categories of international students whose family income and assets are outside Italy.
What students should check
When applying to Bologna, look at three areas separately:
- Your degree programme admission requirements
- University scholarships and fee reductions
- Regional right-to-study benefits
The university notes that calls for different benefits are published during the year, so students should regularly check the official university pages rather than relying on one annual scholarship article.
Official information:
University of Bologna – Fees, Scholarships and Benefits
5. University of Padua Foundation gin i Scholarships
Country: Italy
University: University of Padua
Eligibility: Foreign nationals with a relevant Master’s degree
Fields: Agricultural sciences, engineering, mathematical, physical and natural sciences
2026 deadline: September 15, 2026
Another current opportunity worth highlighting is the Foundation gin i scholarship for foreign nationals at the University of Padua.
The university currently lists a 2026 call for grants for foreign nationals who hold a Master of Science degree in subjects connected to Agriculture, Engineering, and Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences. The listed deadline is September 15, 2026.
This opportunity is more specialize than the large international scholarships above, so it is particularly relevant for applicants with a strong STEM or agricultural-science background.
Official information:
University of Padua Scholarships – Foundation gin i
Italy Scholarship Comparison 2026–2027
| Scholarship | University/Provider | Study Level | Main Benefit | Current Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAECI Italian Government Scholarship | Italian Government | Master’s / PhD / Research | Government scholarship support | 2026–27 call closed; monitor next call |
| Padua International Excellence | University of Padua | Bachelor’s / Master’s | €8,000/year + fee exemption | Check current admission calls |
| Padua Regional Scholarship | University of Padua / regional system | Bachelor’s / Master’s / eligible PhD | Financial and student benefits | September 30, 2026 steps deadline |
| Bologna Scholarships & Benefits | University of Bologna / regional system | Bachelor’s / Master’s | Scholarships and fee reductions | University calls during the year |
| Foundation Gini | University of Padua | Master’s-level graduates | Specialist grant opportunity | September 15, 2026 |
Which Italy Scholarship Is Best for You?
There is no single best scholarship for everyone. Your best option depends on your degree, academic results, financial circumstances and field of study.
For a government scholarship: Start with MAECI and monitor the next annual call.
For an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree: Check the University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship.
For students with financial need: Investigate regional scholarships and fee reductions, especially at universities such as Padua and Bologna.
For STEM graduates: Check specialize opportunities such as the Foundation gin i scholarships at Padua.
How to Prepare for Italy Scholarships 2027
Do not wait until a scholarship deadline is only a few days away. For the 2027 intake, applicants should start preparing now.
Step 1: Choose your country and degree
Choose your Italian university and degree programme first. Look for programmes taught in English if you do not speak Italian.
Step 2: Check scholarship eligibility
Read the official requirements carefully. Some scholarships are open to broad groups of international students, while others are restricted by nationality, academic level, financial circumstances or field of study.
Step 3: Prepare your application documents
Create a strong academic CV, prepare your motivation letter and request recommendation letters early.
Step 4: Check the exact deadline
Never rely on a third-party scholarship website for the final deadline. Use the official university or scholarship-provider page.
Step 5: Apply early
Where possible, submit before the final day. This gives you time to correct missing documents or technical problems.
Important Scholarship Warning
Be careful with websites or agents that promise a guaranteed European scholarship in exchange for money.
Scholarship selection is competitive, and official providers publish their own eligibility requirements and application procedures. Go Get Scholarship recommends using the official scholarship provider or university website for the final application.
Also remember that a scholarship described as “fully funded” by a third-party website may not actually cover every expense. Always check exactly what is included: tuition, accommodation, travel, insurance, visa costs and living expenses can be treated differently by each programme.
Final Thoughts
Italy offers several different ways for international students to reduce the cost of higher education. The MAECI Italian Government Scholarship is the major national route, while university and regional scholarships can provide additional opportunities.
For students applying now, the University of Padua deserves particular attention because its 2026–2027 scholarship pages include the International Excellence Scholarship, regional financial support and a specialist Foundation gin i opportunity.
The most important rule is to check the official university or government website before applying. Do not pay an agent simply because they claim to guarantee a scholarship.