Scholarships in Italy for Indian Students: Eligibility, Amounts in USD, Documents and How to Win One

Key facts

• Main routes: MAECI Italian Government Scholarship, Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT), regional DSU grants, university merit awards.
• Best-known cash values: about 12,100 USD per year (IYT) and about 1,340 USD per month (MAECI).
• Biggest hurdle for most Indian families: the ISEE parificato document chain for income-based aid.
• Next realistic intake: academic year 2027/28. Official calls for that year have not been published yet.

Scholarships in Italy for Indian students are funding awards that reduce or cover tuition, living costs, or both for Indian citizens studying at Italian universities. Italy offers four main routes: national government awards, regional income-based grants, university merit awards and programme-linked awards. Each route has different eligibility rules, amounts, deadlines and documents.

This guide follows the applicant’s journey. It starts with the awards that exist, moves through fit, cost, documents, steps and selection, and ends with trends, research notes and FAQs.

What scholarships in Italy are open to Indian students?

Four scholarship families serve Indian applicants. The table below compares them.

Scholarship	Funder	Level	Amount (USD)	Basis	Usual timing
MAECI Italian Government Scholarship	Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation	Master’s, doctoral, research, AFAM, Italian-language courses	About 1,340 USD per month	Merit, with possible interview	Spring deadline
Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)	Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of University and Research, Italian Trade Agency, Uni-Italia	Master’s / postgraduate	About 12,100 USD per year, plus tuition exemption	Merit, with admission	Application window in spring
DSU regional grants	Regional student-aid bodies	Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD	Varies by region and income	Income and merit	Summer to early autumn
University merit awards	Individual universities	Mostly Master’s	Tuition waiver, sometimes plus an allowance	Academic merit	Tied to admission rounds

The MAECI scholarship is worth 1,200 EUR per month (about 1,340 USD) and covers Master’s degrees, advanced arts and music programmes, doctoral programmes, research projects and Italian-language courses. Applicants submit through the Study in Italy portal, which also publishes the call and the list of eligible countries.

The IYT programme is a Master’s-level scheme. It pays 10,800 EUR per year (about 12,100 USD) and requires English at B2 level. The programme includes a mandatory internship at an Italian company. The official Invest Your Talent in Italy portal lists the participating courses.

DSU grants (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) are regional, income-based awards. They matter most for Indian families because they can cover large parts of living costs, but they need a certified income calculation (see the documents section).

University merit awards come from individual universities. Politecnico di Milano is the clearest example. Its merit scholarship winners pay only an administrative fee of about 170 EUR (about 190 USD) and receive a full tuition waiver. Some also receive an allowance of up to 10,000 EUR (about 11,200 USD) per year.
For a wider comparison with other destinations, read our guide to fully funded scholarships in Europe for Indian students.

Who should apply and who should not apply

Eligibility differs by scholarship family. A quick fit check saves weeks of wasted effort.

Who should apply

• Indian graduates targeting an English-taught Master’s. IYT and MAECI both fund this level, and PoliMi-style awards focus on it.
• Students with strong academic records. University merit awards rank applicants mainly on previous education and grades.
• Students from families with modest or documented income. DSU grants reward financial need.
• Applicants living in India. The IYT call lists India as a beneficiary country and requires applicants to be permanently resident there.
• Applicants who can meet English B2. IYT requires it, and most English-taught programmes expect a recognised certificate.

Who should not apply (or should choose a different route)

• Applicants without a Master’s route in mind for IYT or MAECI. Both focus on postgraduate-level study.
• Applicants who already studied in Italy. Students currently studying at, or already graduated from, an Italian university are not eligible for IYT.
• Applicants who cannot obtain family income documents. DSU needs them, so the route stalls without them.
• Applicants expecting a “free” degree without any costs. Awards reduce costs, but fees, permits and living expenses remain.
• Applicants targeting a course that is not on the IYT list. Only the courses included in the programme qualify.

If you are still choosing between countries, compare with our article on scholarships in

How much does an Italian scholarship really cover?

A scholarship covers some costs and leaves others. Understanding the split prevents budget surprises.

Tuition at public universities is low compared with other destinations. One adviser’s guide puts non-EU tuition at public Italian universities at about 1,500 to 4,000 EUR per year, which is roughly 1,700 to 4,500 USD. Private institutions charge more. One Milan academy lists 23,800 EUR (about 26,700 USD) per year for non-EU Master of Arts students.

Living costs are not covered in full by most awards. IYT’s 10,800 EUR is a nine-month grant, which equals 1,200 EUR per month. MAECI pays the same monthly figure.

Cost item	Typically covered?
Tuition	Yes for IYT and merit-waiver awards; DSU often reduces it
Monthly living stipend	Yes for MAECI and IYT; partial or full for DSU
Administrative fees	Sometimes (PoliMi still charges about 190 USD)
Visa, permit and insurance	Rarely
Flights	Rarely

Scholarship-by-scholarship breakdown

MAECI Italian Government Scholarship

• Funder: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
• Amount: 1,200 EUR per month (about 1,340 USD).
• Levels: Master’s, doctoral, research, AFAM, and Italian-language courses.
• Application route: Online through the Study in Italy portal only; the 2026/27 deadline was 2 p.m. CET on 26 March 2026.
• Selection: With many applicants, the commission pre-selects and interviews only shortlisted candidates.
• India status: Indian nationals have applied in past cycles. Always confirm India on the current country list.

Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)

• Funder: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of University and Research, Italian Trade Agency and Uni-Italia.
• Amount: about 12,100 USD per year (10,800 EUR), plus tuition exemption.
• Duration: Nine months, starting 1 October 2026 for the 2026/27 cycle.
• Fields: Engineering and advanced technologies, architecture and design, and economics and management.
• Extras: Some universities also require an Italian-language and culture course.
• Renewal: The 2025/26 call required at least 30 credits (CFU) by 20 July 2026 for renewal.

DSU regional grants

• Funder: Regional student-aid bodies such as DiSCo Lazio, ER.GO, EDISU Piemonte and DSU Toscana.
• Basis: Income (ISEE) and merit; meeting the eligibility rules does not guarantee an award.
• Key rule for non-EU students: The ISEE parificato counts for scholarships and mobility, not for tuition fee reductions.
• Application timing: Regional calls usually appear after enrolment. One Tuscany guide reports a mid-July call and a 5 September 2026 deadline, so verify the date with your regional body.

University merit awards

• Example: Politecnico di Milano merit scholarships for Master’s students.
• Tiers: In the 2025/26 call, Platinum awards were 10,000 EUR gross (about 11,200 USD) and Gold awards were 8,000 EUR gross (about 8,960 USD), all with tuition waivers.
• Selection: Previous education, how well it matches the programme, the documents provided and the scholarship form decide the outcome; GPA is of utmost importance.
• Current call: PoliMi has a call for academic year 2026/2027. Check its page for the 2027/28 version.

Required documents explained

Documents decide whether an application advances. Each document answers a specific question for the selection committee.

Academic documents

• Degree certificate and transcripts. They prove that your qualification allows Master’s admission.
• Admission letter or pre-enrolment proof. IYT eligibility depends on admission to an eligible course.
• Course details. Selection committees match your background to the programme requirements.

Language and profile documents

• English certificate at B2 or higher. IYT requires B2, and most English-taught programmes ask for a recognised test.
• CV and motivation letter. They explain your reasons for choosing Italy and the course.
• Passport. Personal details on the application must match the passport exactly.

Financial documents: the ISEE parificato chain

The ISEE parificato is an Italian-format income certificate for families with income outside Italy. Universities and regional bodies use it to rank need-based applications.

The chain usually includes:

1. Income proof for each earning family member. Income Tax Returns or Form 16 for both parents, for the tax year two years before the academic year. One university’s 2026/27 instructions refer to income earned in 2024.
2. Family composition certificate. Applicants from India need one, verified by the revenue officer.
3. Translation into Italian. Every document needs a faithful Italian translation.
4. Legalisation or apostille. Documents must come from the competent authorities, be translated into Italian and be legalised. For Indian documents, the apostille is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. Follow your university’s exact instruction on legalisation.
5. Correct dates. One university requires documents dated after 1 January 2026 for its 2026/27 cycle.
6. Issuance of the certificate. A tax assistance centre (CAF) in Italy issues the ISEE parificato. Some universities handle this internally.
7. Planning note: For the 2027/28 cycle, the income year will shift forward. Check the new call before collecting documents.

Application timeline for the 2027/28 cycle

These dates are estimates based on the previous cycle. Confirm every date on the official call.

Period	Action	Basis
Oct–Dec 2026	Shortlist courses, book an English test, start collecting documents	Preparation
Jan–Mar 2027	Watch for the MAECI call; submit university admission applications	The 2026/27 MAECI deadline was 26 March 2026
Early 2027	Watch for the IYT call	The ASEA-UNINET page says the next call opens in early 2027.
Spring 2027	University merit award and admission deadlines	Varies by university
Summer 2027	Prepare the ISEE parificato and DSU application	Regional calls usually follow enrolment
Late summer 2027	Visa application and travel	Visa applications run through VFS, followed by a consulate interview. asea-uninetkadamboverseas

Step-by-step application guide

Follow these steps in order.

1. Choose your level and course. Select an English-taught programme that fits your degree. For IYT, confirm the course appears on the programme list.
2. Read the official calls. The Study in Italy portal hosts MAECI calls and eligible countries. The IYT portal hosts the IYT call.
3. Register for admission. Apply to your university and complete pre-enrolment through the Universitaly platform, which non-EU students use for admission and visa steps.
4. Prepare your core documents. Gather transcripts, degree, English certificate, CV, motivation letter and passport.
5. Submit scholarship applications within each window. MAECI and IYT run on separate portals with separate deadlines.
6. Check for a separate university scholarship form. PoliMi asked for an additional scholarship application form in recent calls.
7. Start the ISEE parificato early if you need DSU. Begin family documents while admission is pending.
8. Apply for the DSU grant with your regional body after enrolment, within its call dates.
9. Apply for the student visa after admission and funding confirmation.
10. Protect the award. Meet the renewal conditions, such as IYT’s credit requirement.

For visa-specific help, read our guide to the Italy student visa from India.

How selection works

Each scholarship family selects applicants differently.

• MAECI: A commission ranks applications. If applications are numerous, it pre-selects, and only invited candidates attend an interview. No interview invitation after the deadline means pre-selection failed.
• IYT: Eligibility depends on admission, and the programme links the award to approved courses and the mandatory internship.
• University merit awards: A committee reviews academic records and programme fit. At PoliMi, a committee led by the Vice Rector for international affairs assigns the awards.
• DSU: The regional body ranks students by income and academic merit. A lower ISEE improves ranking, and credit progress affects renewal.

Pattern across all four: Admission quality, documents and timing decide outcomes more than any single essay.

Common mistakes applicants make

Mistake	Why it hurts	Fix
Trusting outdated lists	You apply for a programme that no longer runs	Check the university’s own page (see research notes)
Missing a narrow window	IYT’s 2026 window lasted about three weeks	Set reminders for early 2027
Choosing a non-listed IYT course	The application becomes ineligible	Match your course to the official list
Starting ISEE documents late	Translation and legalisation take weeks	Begin when admission applications open
Wrong tax year or old document dates	The office rejects the file	Confirm the year and date rule in the call
Name mismatch with passport	Verification fails	Copy names exactly
Assuming ISEE parificato lowers tuition	Non-EU rules limit it to scholarships	Read the university’s fee rules
Ignoring renewal rules	The award stops after year one	Track credits from semester one
Waiting for a MAECI interview	Pre-selection may skip you	Prepare, but do not assume
Believing unsourced statistics	Poor planning	Use official calls

Previous years’ trends

Recent cycles show stable patterns and a few changes.

• India stays eligible for IYT. India was listed in the 2025/26 call. India appears again in the 2026/27 call. The country list has been about 17 to 18 countries across these cycles.
• IYT keeps the same shape. The 2025/26 scholarship ran nine months from 1 October 2025, and the 2026/27 scholarship follows the same nine-month pattern.
• IYT’s window is short. The 2026/27 applications ran from 20 April to 11 May 2026.
• MAECI’s deadline fell in late March. The 2026/27 call closed on 26 March 2026.
• MAECI’s application route moved to a single portal. In the 2018/19 cycle, the Government of India notified the scheme and forwarded nominations, while the 2026/27 call says candidates apply exclusively through the Study in Italy portal. iitbhuunime
• Bologna’s Unibo Action ended. The university says no new scholarships were offered for first-year enrolments from 2023/24. unibo
• PoliMi kept its structure. The Platinum and Gold amounts match across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 calls, and a 2026/27 call exists.

Our research notes

These notes record where sources disagree. They help you verify before you plan.

1. Some lists still show Unibo Action as active. Bologna’s own page says the programme ended. Treat any list that includes it as outdated until the university says otherwise.
2. MAECI’s monthly amount is quoted inconsistently. An official 2026/27 notice states 1,200 EUR per month (about 1,340 USD). A consultancy page cites 900 EUR (about 1,010 USD). Use the official call for planning. esteriy-axis
3. IYT dates can be misread. One summary page shows 20 April 2026 as a closing date. The official call text gives 20 April as the opening and 11 May 2026 as the closing.
4. Counts and percentages need caution. Several consultancy pages quote award counts and “zero tuition” percentages for Indian students. We did not find those breakdowns in the official call texts we reviewed.
5. Non-EU ISEE parificato has limits. It helps with scholarships and mobility, not with tuition reductions.
6. A “full scholarship” still leaves out-of-pocket items. PoliMi charges about 190 USD in fees even for winners.
7. Verification contacts exist. The Embassy of Italy in New Delhi, the Consulates in Mumbai and Kolkata, and Uni-Italia help students check information. freepressjournal

Next steps checklist

• Shortlist three English-taught Master’s courses this month.
• Book an English test aimed at B2 or higher.
• Collect transcripts, degree and passport copies.
• Ask both parents for tax documents if you plan to use DSU.
• Set reminders for the MAECI call, the IYT call and your university deadlines.

FAQs

1. Is Italy free for Indian students?

No. Italy has low public tuition, but students still pay fees, living costs, insurance and permits. Scholarships and DSU grants can remove tuition and cover part of living expenses. Free study is rare, and it usually needs a combined award and strong documents.

2. Can Indian students get a fully funded scholarship in Italy?

Yes, partly. MAECI and IYT both give a monthly or yearly stipend, and IYT adds tuition exemption. Fully covering every cost is uncommon, so most students still budget for visa fees, travel and some living expenses beyond the award.

3. Which is the best scholarship in Italy for Indian students?

The best award depends on level and profile. IYT suits English-taught Master’s applicants who want a grant plus internship. MAECI suits Master’s, doctoral and research applicants. DSU suits students with documented financial need, and university awards suit strong academic records.

4. What is the DSU scholarship and can Indian students apply?

DSU is a regional, income-based grant for enrolled students. Indian students can apply after enrolment if they submit an ISEE parificato. The regional body ranks applicants by income and merit, so meeting basic criteria does not guarantee an award.

5. What is ISEE parificato and how do Indian families get it?

The ISEE parificato is an Italian-format income certificate for families earning abroad. Families gather income tax proof, a family composition certificate, translations and apostilles. A tax assistance centre or the university then issues the certificate, depending on the institution’s process.

6. Can I apply for an Italy scholarship after Class 12?

Yes, but options differ. MAECI and IYT mainly fund Master’s-level and higher study. After Class 12, Bachelor’s applicants can look at DSU grants and university-specific awards, which usually require enrolment first and a documented income file.

7. Do Italian scholarships require IELTS?

Not always. IYT requires English at B2 level, which an accepted certificate can prove. Other awards depend on the university and programme. Some accept alternatives to IELTS, so check the call and your course’s language rules before booking a test.

8. When do applications open for the 2027/28 intake?

Official calls are not yet published. Last cycle, MAECI closed on 26 March 2026, and IYT ran from 20 April to 11 May 2026. One source expects the next IYT call in early 2027. Watch the official portals from January.

9. Can I combine MAECI, DSU and a university scholarship?

Combination rules vary by call. Some awards allow stacking and others restrict it, and some institutions reduce one award if you hold another. Read the “incompatibility” or “combining scholarships” clause in each call, then ask the university’s international office before accepting a second award.

10. What GPA do I need for an Italian merit scholarship?

No universal GPA exists. PoliMi says grades matter greatly and also weighs programme fit and documents. Competitive applicants usually hold top-tier grades in a relevant degree, so check each call and compare your record with the previous year’s winners where published.

11. Do Italian scholarships cover living costs?

Some do. MAECI pays about 1,340 USD per month, and IYT pays about 12,100 USD for nine months. DSU grants can include housing and meal support. University tuition waivers alone do not cover living costs, so plan separate funds.

12. What happens if I lose the scholarship after the first year?

Most awards require progress. IYT’s 2025/26 call set a minimum of 30 credits by 20 July 2026 for renewal. If you miss the credit target, the award can stop, so track exams and credits from your first semester.

Conclusion

Scholarships in Italy for Indian students come in four forms: MAECI grants, the IYT programme, DSU regional aid and university merit awards. Success depends on matching your degree level to the right award, preparing the ISEE parificato chain early, and applying inside narrow windows. Verify every figure on the official calls, because third-party lists often lag behind.