Scholarships in Italy for International Students 2026-2027 | Fully Funded Opportunities

Italy has become one of the most popular study destinations for international students due to its world-class universities, affordable education, and generous scholarships. For the 2026-2027 academic year, many universities and the Italian government are offering fully funded and partially funded scholarships for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs.

Whether you are looking for affordable education in Europe or top-quality research opportunities, Italy provides a wide range of scholarships for international students from developing countries.

In this article, we have listed the top scholarships in Italy for 2026-2027 along with their benefits and official websites.

Why Study in Italy?

Italy is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities such as University of Bologna and Politecnico di Milano. Students can enjoy:

• Low tuition fees compared to other European countries
• Scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses
• English-taught degree programs
• Strong research and innovation ecosystem
• Opportunities for part-time work and post-study visas
• Cultural exposure and travel across Europe

Top Scholarships in Italy for International Students 2026-2027

1. Italian Government Scholarships

The Italian Government offers scholarships for international students to pursue master’s and PhD degrees.

Benefits:

• Monthly stipend
• Tuition fee waiver
• Health insurance
• Research support

Official Website: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it

2. University of Bologna Study Grants

The University of Bologna provides study grants and tuition fee waivers for outstanding international students.

Benefits:

• Scholarships worth around €6,500
• Tuition fee exemption
• Support for two academic years

Official Website: https://www.unibo.it

3. University of Milan Excellence Scholarships

The University of Milan offers scholarships for master’s students.

Benefits:

• €8,000 per year
• Tuition fee waiver
• Multiple scholarships available

Official Website: https://www.unimi.it

4. Politecnico di Milano Merit Scholarships

The Politecnico di Milano provides full and partial scholarships for engineering and design students.

Benefits:

• Full or partial tuition coverage
• Monthly stipend
• Accommodation support

Official Website: https://www.polimi.it

5. Sapienza University Scholarships

The Sapienza University of Rome offers merit-based scholarships for international master’s students.

Benefits:

• Tuition waiver
• Financial support
• Research opportunities

Official Website: https://www.uniroma1.it

6. Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships

The Scuola Normale Superiore offers fully funded PhD programs.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Accommodation and meals
• Research funding

Official Website: https://www.sns.it

7. Bocconi University Scholarships

The Bocconi University provides full and partial scholarships for business and economics students.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Accommodation
• Living stipend

Official Website: https://www.unibocconi.eu

8. University of Padua Scholarships

The University of Padua offers international excellence scholarships.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• €8,000 stipend
• Accommodation support

Official Website: https://www.unipd.it

9. University of Pisa Scholarships

The University of Pisa provides scholarships for international students.

Benefits:

• Tuition waiver
• Research grants
• Living support

Official Website: https://www.unipi.it

10. EDISU Piemonte Scholarships

The EDISU Piemonte supports students based on financial need.

Benefits:

• Accommodation
• Meal support
• Living allowance

Official Website: https://www.edisu.piemonte.it

Eligibility Criteria

Most scholarships in Italy require:

• Strong academic background
• English or Italian language proficiency
• Admission to a university
• Motivation and research interest
• Financial need (for some scholarships)

Application Tips for 2026-2027

• Apply early as deadlines are usually between January and May.
• Prepare strong motivation letters.
• Get recommendation letters.
• Improve your IELTS or TOEFL scores.
• Choose programs that match your academic profile.

Italy offers some of the best scholarship opportunities in Europe for international students. With affordable education, strong academic programs, and financial support, studying in Italy in 2026-2027 can be a life-changing opportunity. Students from developing countries can take advantage of these fully funded scholarships to build global careers and gain international exposure.