University of Florence PEGASO Scholarships 2026 in Italy. Apply for fully funded scholarships here. Italy offers several genuine, government- or university-backed, fully funded routes for international students — not just one programme covering every degree level. The main ones are the MAECI Italian Government Scholarship, Invest Your Talent in Italy, and regional DSU (right-to-study) grants.
Each has its own funder, degree-level focus, and deadline, so it’s worth understanding how they differ before you apply.
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University of Florence PEGASO Scholarships 2026 (Funded) Details:
| University: | University of Florence |
| Degree level: | PhD Program |
| Scholarship coverage: | Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award Country: | Italy |
| Last date: | 6 August 2026 |
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Financial Benefits
Coverage differs significantly between programmes — MAECI is a stipend-plus-insurance model, Invest Your Talent pairs tuition support with internships, and DSU grants are need-based and can include free housing.
| Benefit | MAECI | Invest Your Talent | DSU Grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly/annual stipend | Around €9,000–€10,800 total for a 9-month program (paid in instalments) | Financial assistance for 9 months | Varies by region and family income (ISEE) |
| Tuition | A waiver depends on the individual university — it’s not centrally guaranteed | Full tuition support | Often full or partial tuition waiver |
| Health insurance | Included | Not centrally guaranteed — check program terms | Not typically included |
| Extras | — | Internship/professional placement with an Italian company | Free or subsidized housing in some regions |
Available Study Programs
MAECI Scholarship: Covers master’s degrees, PhDs, supervised research projects, AFAM (arts, music, and dance) programmes, and Italian language and culture courses at public and recognised institutions.
Invest Your Talent in Italy: Focused specifically on master’s programmes in engineering, economics, and architecture, combined with an internship at an Italian company.
DSU Regional Grants: Open to bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students already enrolled or enrolling at universities within that region, based mainly on financial need and academic merit.
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Top Universities Involved
| University | City | Notable For | Scholarship Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bologna | Bologna | One of the world’s oldest universities; strong across humanities and sciences | MAECI, DSU (EDiSU), Invest Your Talent (select programs) |
| Politecnico di Milano | Milan | Leading engineering and architecture programs | Invest Your Talent, MAECI, university-specific merit awards |
| University of Florence | Florence | Strong humanities, sciences, and PhD research (see PEGASO PhD program separately) | MAECI, DSU Toscana, PEGASO (PhD only) |
Exact tuition and rankings shift yearly—confirm current figures directly on each university’s official admissions page.
Eligibility Criteria
- Generally open to applicants from outside Italy, though exact eligible-country lists vary by programme and by year.
- Age limits apply to some tracks (for example, MAECI’s Master’s/AFAM track has historically required applicants to be under 28 and PhD applicants under 30 – always check the current call).
- Academic requirements depend on degree level: a bachelor’s for master’s programmes and a master’s for PhD or research tracks.
- Language proficiency certificates are required for Italian-taught programmes (commonly B2 CEFR) or English-taught programmes, depending on your course.
- DSU grants typically require proof of family income (via an ISEE-equivalent declaration for non-EU applicants) alongside academic standing.
Required Documents
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Valid passport or national ID | Identity verification |
| Academic transcripts and degree certificates | Confirms prior education |
| Language certificate (Italian or English) | Confirms readiness for your program’s language of instruction |
| Motivation letter | Explains your choice of program and goals |
| Research proposal (PhD/research applicants) | Required for research-track applications |
| Proof of financial means (for visa, separate from scholarship application) | Required later for your student visa |
Application Process
- Decide which programme fits your degree level — MAECI, Invest Your Talent, or a regional DSU grant.
- Check the current year’s eligible-country list and age limits on the relevant official portal.
- Complete mandatory pre-enrolment through the Universitaly portal if applying for a degree programme.
- Register on the specific scholarship portal (Study in Italy for MAECI or the programme’s own site for Invest Your Talent).
- Prepare and upload all required documents as PDFs before the deadline.
- Submit your application — note portals typically close at a fixed time on the deadline day (Italian time).
- Watch for an interview invitation or additional document requests.
- Check final rankings once published on the relevant portal.
- If awarded, confirm your university enrolment and any tuition-waiver terms directly with the institution.
- Begin your student visa application as soon as you have your award confirmation.
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Student Visa Guide
Non-EU students staying more than 90 days need a Type D national visa, applied for at the Italian embassy or consulate in their home country.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Type D (National Visa for Study) |
| Financial proof | €10,179.85/year, per the MUR circular covering AY2026/27 and 2027/28 |
| Health insurance | Minimum €30,000 coverage |
| Biometrics | Required at your visa appointment |
| After arrival | Apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 working days |
Important: consulates generally don’t accept an unconfirmed scholarship application as financial proof — you need a formal award letter first.
Health Insurance
Health insurance meeting the €30,000 minimum is mandatory for your visa application. Some scholarships (like MAECI) include insurance for the funded period; others (like Invest Your Talent) may not, so check each programme’s terms.
Once resident in Italy, most students can register with the National Health Service (SSN) for an annual fee, which is often more cost-effective than private insurance for longer stays.
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Accommodation and Living Costs
- University or DSU dormitory housing: often €250–€450/month where available, sometimes free for the lowest income brackets under DSU grants.
- Shared private flat: roughly €400–€700/month, depending on the city.
- Solo studio rental: often €700–€1,200/month in Milan; lower in smaller cities like Florence, Bologna, or Pisa.
Overall living costs (excluding rent) typically run €500–€900/month depending on lifestyle and city.
Post-Study Work Opportunities
Non-EU graduates of Italian universities can apply for a 12-month residence permit to search for qualified employment after finishing their degree.
Once you secure a qualifying job offer, your employer can convert this into a standard work permit, or you may qualify for the EU Blue Card if the role meets the minimum salary threshold (roughly €28,500+/year, though thresholds are updated periodically).
Graduates from Invest Your Talent programmes have a built-in advantage here, since the internship component often leads directly to a job offer with the host company.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one single “fully funded scholarship” for Italy? No, MAECI, Invest Your Talent, and DSU grants are separate programmes with different funders, degree levels, and deadlines.
Does a scholarship automatically waive tuition? Not always — for MAECI specifically, tuition waivers depend on the individual university’s own policy, not a central guarantee.
When does the next MAECI cycle open? The 2026/2027 cycle closed 26 March 2026; the next cycle (2027/2028) is expected to open around February–March 2027. Confirm on the official portal.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at once? Often yes, but if awarded more than one, you’ll typically need to choose one and withdraw the other.
Do I need Italian language skills? Only for Italian-taught programmes; many master’s and PhD programmes are offered in English.
Can I work while studying? Yes, non-EU students on a Type D visa can generally work up to 20 hours/week during term time.
What happens if my scholarship doesn’t cover tuition? You’ll need to fund tuition separately — confirm this with your target university’s international office before accepting an offer.
Conclusion
Italy offers real, verifiable funding routes for international students, but no single programme covers every degree level or every cost. Match your degree goal to the right scheme — MAECI for government funding, Invest Your Talent for career-focused master’s, or DSU grants for need-based regional support.
Apply only through each programme’s official portal, confirm tuition and insurance terms with your specific university, and check current deadlines directly rather than relying on secondhand scholarship sites.
Official Resources
| Website Type | Official Website | Latest Application Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAECI Italian Government Scholarship | studyinitaly.esteri.it | 2026/27 cycle closed 26 March 2026 | Expected to Open (2027/28 Intake) — Check Official Website |
| Invest Your Talent in Italy | investyourtalentinitaly.com | 2026/27 cycle closed 11 May 2026 | Expected to Open (2027/28 Intake) — Check Official Website |
| University Admissions (example: University of Florence) | unifi.it | Varies by program | Official |
| Student Visa (Type D) | vistoperitalia.esteri.it | N/A — apply after admission | Official |
| Pre-Enrollment Portal | universitaly.it | N/A | Official (mandatory for international applicants) |
| Immigration / Residence Permit | Polizia di Stato — Portale Immigrazione | N/A | Official |
Deadlines and financial figures above reflect the latest publicly confirmed details at the time of writing. MAECI and Invest Your Talent both run on annual cycles that reopen each year – always verify current dates on the linked official portals before applying.