Italian Government Bursaries for Foreign and I.R.E. Students

Italian Government Bursaries for International Students (foreigners and I.R.E.)

Course(s) Offered: Any field of study
Course Level: Undergraduate, Graduate (masters, PhD)
Provider: Italian Government
Country to Study in: Italy

Scholarship Description
UPDATED: See Current Italian Government Scholarship for Foreigners and Italians Living Abroad

The Italian Government offers a bursary programme for foreign students and IRE (Italian Residents Abroad) to study in Italy during the current Academic Year.

The programme is offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its diplomatic mission in the accredited country of the applicants, to students of selected countries wishing to study at Italian public universities or other public institutions of higher education.

Eligibility
To be eligible for study grants (except the case of language course), students must have the following prerequisites:

• Knowledge of the Italian language: Knowledge of the Italian language is indispensable and must be certified or ascertained in an interview at the Italian Cultural Institute or at the Cultural Office of the local Italian diplomatic Mission or at the Italian studies Department of the applicant’s university
• Educational Credentials: Candidates must have the credentials requested for enrollment in the institution of their choice. All credentials and certificates of study must be submitted along with their Italian translation, which must be certified as conforming with the foreign language texts by the Italian diplomatic Mission, i.e. by an official translator along with a statement attesting (dichiarazione di valore in loco) the authenticity of the credentials prepared by the Italian diplomatic Mission:
  
  • Degree courses at Italian universities: the candidate must have a secondary school diploma valid for the enrolment in a university.
  • Masters I or II programmes at Italian universities: candidates must have a degree equal to the Italian baccalaureate, along with any other documentation that may be required by the chosen institution.
  • Individual courses: the certificate of enrolment issued by the university for foreigners is usually sufficient.
  • Art and music institutes: it requires certification of having concluded a cycle of secondary school studies valid for admission to accredited State academies or conservatories.
  • Italian language and culture courses: a secondary school diploma is required.
    
• Age Limits: The age limit for obtaining a study grant is cited in bilateral Cultural Agreement Executive Programmes. Where not expressly established, the age limit is 35 years old. However, this age limit does not apply to applicants who are Italian language teachers and actively engaged in teaching Italian.
  
  With the exception of the provisions stated in Cultural Agreement Executive Programmes, in no case grants can be awarded to anyone who would still be below the age of 18 during the period covered by the grant. Considering the varying age limits established by different institutions, it is recommended to check such detail directly with the institution (the National Cinema School, for example, has an age limit of 27).

Eligible groups
Citizens of several countries (incl. African countries) and Italian Residents Abroad. Countries whose students may apply to Italian bursaries are on the Recipient Country List.

Participating Institution(s)
All accredited/approved Italian Universities and Higher Education Institutions. You may also check the list of International Offices of the main Italian Universities.

Field(s) of study
Applicants may request three month bursaries for: advanced courses in Italian language and culture, courses in Italian language teaching, and study or research projects at non-private Italian research Centres – Laboratories – Libraries -Archives – Museums.

Applicants may request six or nine month bursaries for: Individual university courses (Levels I or II), university degree courses (Levels I or II), advanced professional training, art and music courses, courses in Italian language teaching, Masters Degree courses (Levels I or II), Doctorates Courses, Schools of specialisation, and Singly or jointly supervised study or research projects.

Sponsorship duration
The only bursaries to be awarded will be of three, six or nine month duration. No bursaries are available for shorter periods of studies.

Number of awards / Bursary benefits
Specific information on these is provided by the Italian Embassy or Italian Cultural Institute in the applicant’s country of citizenship.

Method of Application
Applicants for Italian government bursaries are kindly 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, which should be available during the month of February.

That information includes: applicant requirements, application deadlines, bursary types, number, description and monetary amount of bursaries, AND selection procedures.

Before submitting their applications prospective applicants for Italian bursaries must contact the university or institution in Italy where they intend to study and are advised to be as fully informed as possible about the institution and course of study. Please check the list of the International Offices of the main Italian Universities.

You may read the 2013/2014 Call in English.

DEADLINES:
Application forms must be received on-line by midnight (Italian time) Friday, May 31st 2013.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the Italian Embassy in their country. Successful recipients will be asked to immediately submit authenticated copies of their documents along with their official translations in Italian.

PLEASE NOTE:
Italian language proficiency is necessary and will be tested, and is a determining factor in being accepted for study in Italy and for being awarded a bursary. Many Italian Cultural Institutes around the world offer Italian language courses and have language proficiency testing facilities. Check the map Network of Italian Cultural Institutes.

Bursaries are awarded for study and/or research programmes at public and legally accredited institutions. Bursary recipients study at the Italian universities/institutions of their choice, based on the approval of the selection committee.

Pre-enrolment to the chosen Italian Institution will be done through the Italian Diplomatic Representatives in the student’s country of citizenship.

Contact
Contact details for Italian foreign missions are available at Offices of Italian Embassies and Consulates Abroad.

Application Deadline: 31 May 2013
Open to International students: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Scholarships in Italy for International Students