Do you want to start your study adventure in Italy? Good news! A number of scholarships are available in Italy for international students. In this article we will explain in detail about the scholarships offered in top universities of Italy, their benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
Many scholarships are available at top Italian universities for international students for the academic year 2026-2027. These scholarships include both fully funded and partially funded programs and provide a monthly stipend along with tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance, and travel allowance.
Apply for fully funded scholarships and fulfill your dream of studying at world-top universities like Scuola Normale Superiore, Bocconi University, University of Bologna, Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), and many more. Following is a list of scholarships in Italy for international students:
1. Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships
75 PhD scholarships are offered by the Scuola Normale Superiore to both students from outside Italy and Italian citizens for the duration of four years. This scholarship covers tuition fees and a grant for board and accommodation. All students will be entitled to additional funding for their research activity, even abroad.
- Institution: Scuola Normale Superiore
- Level of Study: PhD
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
2. Arturo Falaschi Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Arturo Falaschi Postdoctoral Fellowships are fully funded scholarships for international students. The fellowship period is 2 years with the possibility of a 1-year extension. The fellowships comprise a very competitive package including a stipend, health insurance, and additional benefits.
- Institution: ARES
- Level of Study: Postdoctoral
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
3. Bocconi University Scholarships
Bocconi University scholarships are fully funded scholarships for international students. These scholarships are available for undergraduate and master’s studies. These scholarships provide a full tuition waiver, worth up to approximately €12,000 per year (for undergraduate) and €13,000 per year (for graduate), and accommodation.
- Institution: Bocconi University
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
4. University of Bologna Scholarship
The University of Bologna Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for undergraduate and master’s studies. This scholarship provides the recipient with study grants of €11,000 gross for Unibo Action 2) and tuition fee waivers for Unibo Action 1.
- Institution: University of Bologna
- Level of Study: Undergraduate/Masters
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
5. Italian Government Scholarship
The Italian Government Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students to pursue a master’s or PhD at the top Italian universities. This scholarship covers monthly payments of 900 euros, tuition fees, and medical insurance.
- Institution: Italian Higher Education Institutes
- Level of Study: PhD/Masters
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
6. NATO Defense College Fellowships
The NATO Defense College Fellowship is a fully funded research scholarship for international students. This fellowship will provide a stipend to cover the costs of his/her stay in Rome and his/her travel expenses.
- Institution: NATO Defense College (NDC)
- Level of Study: Research
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
7. Gran Sasso Science Institute PhD Program
The Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI) PhD Program offers 31 PhD fellowships to international students in Astroparticle Physics, Mathematics in Natural, Social, and Life Sciences, Computer Science, Urban Studies, and Regional Science. This scholarship will provide a tuition fee waiver, accommodation, and free meal vouchers.
- Institution: Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI)
- Level of Study: PhD
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
8. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree FIPDes—Food Innovation and Product Design
It is a joint master’s that joins four universities. These universities, amongst the oldest and most prestigious institutes in Europe, offer this truly integrated and unique program, adopting a holistic and cross-disciplinary approach: from initial conception through prototypes to consumption, from raw materials to packaged goods. FIPDes students study, live, and get professional experience in four different EU countries. They benefit from the most competitive and innovative learning environments, based on participative learning, teamwork, R&D projects, and hands-on training in collaboration with pioneering research and culinary & industrial laboratories.
- Institution: Universities in France, Ireland, Sweden and Italy
- Level of Study: Masters
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
9. Facebook PhD Fellowship
The Facebook Fellowship Program is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for doctoral research studies. The scholarship covers two years of study and fees, an annual stipend, and conference travel aid.
- Institution: An accredited university in any country
- Level of Study: PhD
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
10. IIE-SRF Fellowship
The IIE-SRF Fellowship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for doctoral research studies. The IIE-SRF Fellowship covers a grant of up to US$25,000, along with individual health insurance, to support a visiting academic appointment of up to one year.
- Institution: IIE-SRF
- Level of Study: PhD
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
11. Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships
Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships are fully funded scholarships for international students. HFSP Fellowships will provide a living allowance as well as a research and travel allowance. Depending on their specific situation, fellows may also qualify to receive a child allowance, a parental leave allowance, and a relocation allowance.
- Institution: Human Frontier Science Program
- Level of Study: Postdoctoral
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
12. Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available for PhD studies and provides the recipient with up to $42,750 net per fellow for an 8-month fellowship.
- Institution: World Bank
- Level of Study: PhD
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
13. IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program
The IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program is a fully funded PhD scholarship for international students. The International Mathematical Union Scholarship value is up to a maximum of USD 10,000 per year and covers tuition fees, accommodation, travel expenses, and living expenses.
- Institution: International Mathematical Union
- Level of Study: PhD
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.
14. Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships
The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship is a funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is valued at a maximum of USD 50,000 per year for a PhD and a maximum of USD 40,000 per year for a postdoc and may be renewed through to completion of studies.
- Institution: Leading universities worldwide
- Level of Study: PhD (Doctoral) / Postdoctoral
- Click here for deadlines and step-by-step application processes.