Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy for International Students

International students aspiring to study in Italy should explore top fully funded scholarships, like the University of Bologna Scholarship, the University of Padua International Scholarship, and the scholarships offered by the Italian Government. 

Fully funded scholarships usually cover tuition fees and other living expenses, making it financially easier for international students to study in Italy, home to several top-ranked public and private universities offering high-class education. 

In this article, we will walk you through the top Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy, the benefits offered, eligibility, application process, and more! 

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy in 2025

Italy (the government and the private and public organizations) offers a host of fully-funded scholarships to international students to support their academic ambitions. Some of the top ones include the Italian Government Scholarship, University of Bologna Scholarship, and Bocconi University Scholarships. 

Living and studying in Italy are relatively more affordable than in most other European countries. However, it’s still expensive for students hailing from developing countries like India. The availability of fully funded scholarships, as such, serves as a breather for these students. 

Here’s a look at the top fully funded Scholarships for international students to study in Italy: 

Scholarship	Offered by	Level of Study	Coverage
Italian Government Scholarship	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)	PhD/Masters	Tuition fee, Medical Insurance, and a grant worth EUR 900 (INR 86,616 approx.)
University of Bologna Scholarship	University of Bologna	Undergraduate/Masters	Tuition Fee Waiver (Unibo Action 1), and a grant worth EUR 11,000 gross  (INR 10,58,288 approx.)
Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships	Scuola Normale Superiore	PhD	Tuition Fee and grant for board, and accommodation  Provision for research activity funding
Bocconi University Scholarships	Bocconi University	Undergraduate/Masters	Undergraduates- Tuition Fee waiver worth up to EUR 12,000 (INR 11,54,220 approx.) and accommodation Postgraduates- Tuition Fee waiver worth up to EUR 13,000 (INR 12,50,223 approx.) and accommodation
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree FIPDes – Food Innovation and Product Design	Consortium of 4 European Universities- University of Naples Federico II - Italy   Université Paris Saclay and AgroParisTech - France   Technological University Dublin, formerly the Dublin Institute of Technology - Ireland   Lund University - Sweden	Masters	Tuition fees, total insurance costs, mandatory costs associated with student participation, subsistence, installation, and travel
Arturo Falaschi Postdoctoral Fellowships	ICGEB	Postdoctoral	Stipend, health insurance, and additional benefits
NATO Defense College Fellowship	NATO Defense College (NDC)	Research	Living and travel expenses
IIE-SRF Fellowship	IIE-SRF	PhD	Grant worth EUR 22,197 approx.  (INR 21,38,281 approx.)
Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships	Human Frontier Science Program	Postdoctoral	Research, living, and travel allowance
Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program	World Bank and Japan Government	Masters	Stipend for monthly living, air travel, and accommodation

Types of Fully-Funded Scholarships

The fully funded scholarships available for international students in Italy can broadly be classified into the following categories:

• Government-Funded Scholarships: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Italy) offers these scholarships to international students with the intent of cultivating international cooperation in the fields of technology, science, and culture.
• Scholarships funded by Italian Universities: Several top-ranked Italian universities like the Bocconi University and the University of Bologna, among others, offer fully funded scholarships to international students at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.
• Other fully funded scholarships for international students include fellowships and grants offered by international institutions to support research and postdoctoral studies in Italy.

Also read: Best Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s in USA in 2025-26

Top Universities Offering Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy

Some of the top universities in Italy offering fully funded scholarships in Italy include the Polytechnic University of Milan, University of Bologna, and University of Padua. 

Italy has emerged at the forefront of the top academic destinations for international students - thanks to the following factors:

• Top-notch education 
• More affordable living and studying compared to other European countries
• Industry-oriented curricula
• Excellent campus facilities
• Diverse programs catering to diverse career goals

Here’s a quick look at the top universities offering fully-funded scholarships to international students in Italy:

Universities Offering Scholarships	QS World University Rankings 2025	Scholarships Offered
Politecnico di Milano (The Polytechnic University of Milan)	#111	Politecnico di Milano Platinum scholarships ‐ Milano Campuses Politecnico di Milano Gold scholarships ‐ Milano Campuses Polo di Cremona Gold scholarships Polo di Piacenza Gold scholarships Silver scholarships for all the Campuses
Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (University of Bologna)	#133	University of Bologna Study Grants for International Students
Università di Padova (University of Padua)	#236	Padua International Excellence Scholarship Program
Bocconi University	No Data Available	Bocconi University Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria for Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy

The eligibility criteria for fully-funded scholarships in Italy may vary (in different degrees) across programs and the offering institutions. Some of the key eligibility criteria include a valid passport, proof of English proficiency, and updated CV. Here is a look at the general requirements for the same:

• Valid Indian passport
• Language Proficiency Proof
• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Letter of Recommendation 
• Academic Transcripts
• ISEE Parificato or equivalent documentation showcasing financial details if you’re applying for need-based scholarships
• GRE scores/GPA scores if you’re applying for merit-based scholarships 

Application Process for Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy

The scholarship application process may end up taking months to complete. As such, you’re advised to initiate your research at least 6-7 months before the universities start taking admissions: 

• Start researching universities aligned with your goals
• Look up the scholarships catering to your needs and academic aspirations
• Check eligibility (both for scholarships and universities) 
• Check application deadlines
• Get all your documents (Academic transcripts, scores, motivation letter, CV etc)
• Start applying 

Also Read: How to Get Scholarship to Study Abroad: A Simple Guide

Tips for a Strong Scholarship Application

Preparing a strong scholarship application is like getting on the right foot for the journey ahead. The fully funded scholarships in Italy are highly competitive, considering there are scores of students across the developing nations vying for them. Getting the right scholarship requires effort. 

 Take these steps to prepare a scholarship application: 

• Research all the types (i.e. government, private, and public etc) of scholarships available  so you are aware of all the options available to you
• Start early
• Your Letters of Recommendation should be attested by professors or other university authorities
• Check all the documents for errors and make sure they are rectified
• There shouldn’t be any incomplete submissions

Living in Italy on a Scholarship

The availability of the fully funded scholarships significantly reduces the financial barriers for international students. With the tuition fees, accommodation, and other living expenses (like transport and health) covered, it becomes much easier for students to take their minds off the financial requirements and:

• Focus on studies
• Enhance their learning experience
• Excel at their chosen fields of study 

Why Study in Italy

Italy offers a desirable combination of top-class academic ambience and rich cultural history. Here are the top reasons why international students want to study in Italy:

• High quality education
• Affordable living and education compared to other European countries
• Availability of  several scholarships to take off the financial burden 
• Degrees acknowledged worldwide 
• Unbeatable career opportunities 

Also Read: Accommodation in Italy: Renting Costs, Best Cities, and Tips

How upGrad Can Help

If you have already started researching the top fully-funded scholarships in Italy, get in touch with us today!

Mentors from upGrad can help you:

• Select the right scholarship 
• Navigate the  application process
• Fly you off to Italy