Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)

Overview

Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) is a programme run by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), together with partner universities and other Italian institutions. It's aimed at international students from a defined list of countries who want to take an English-taught Master's degree in Italy in a focused set of fields: engineering and advanced technologies, architecture and design, or economics and management.

What sets IYT apart from a standard scholarship is the mix it offers. You get a tuition-fee exemption at the host university, a living-cost scholarship paid over the study period, a free Italian language course, and a mandatory internship at an Italian company. That internship is built into the programme, so you finish with both an English-taught Master's and real work experience inside an Italian firm. The whole package is designed to connect international talent with Italy's industry.

The programme runs one edition per academic year, opening early in the year. It's a strong fit if you come from one of the eligible countries, hold a Bachelor's, and want a career-oriented Master's that pairs study with industry exposure, all taught in English.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality and residence

You must be a citizen or resident of one of the programme's eligible countries. The 2026-2027 list includes Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Paraguay, Peru, China, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and Vietnam. The list is set each edition, so confirm it for your year.

Academic background

You need a qualification that lets you enrol in a Master's programme, normally a completed Bachelor's degree relevant to the course you're targeting. The host university assesses your academic fit as part of admission.

Field of study

The Master's must be in one of the programme's fields: engineering and advanced technologies, architecture and design, or economics and management. Courses are taught entirely in English at participating Italian universities.

Language

Because the courses are in English, you'll need to show English proficiency. The programme also includes a free Italian course, but the degree itself is delivered in English.

What the Scholarship Covers

• University tuition-fee exemption at the host institution (you still pay the regional tax of around EUR 140 and stamp duty of around EUR 16)
• An EUR 10,800 living-cost scholarship disbursed quarterly across the nine-month period
• Renewal of the scholarship for the second year of a two-year Master's, subject to the programme's conditions
• A free Italian language course
• A mandatory internship at an Italian company, built into the programme

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility: check that you're a citizen or resident of an eligible country and hold a qualification for Master's enrolment.
2. Choose your course: pick an English-taught Master's in engineering and advanced technologies, architecture/design, or economics and management at a participating university.
3. Apply for university admission: submit the admission application directly to your chosen university, following its requirements.
4. Apply on the IYT platform: complete the separate scholarship application on the official online platform.
5. Prepare your media and documents: include transcripts, language certificates, a CV, a passport, and the short motivation video the platform requests.
6. Submit before the deadline: file everything before the call's cut-off (for 2026-2027 it was 11 May 2026, 6 p.m. Italian time).
7. Track your outcome: follow the platform and the university for admission and scholarship decisions.

Required Documents

• Academic transcripts and your Bachelor's-level qualification
• English language certificate
• Curriculum vitae
• Valid passport
• A short motivation video as specified by the platform
• Any course-specific documents the host university requests for admission

Key Dates & Deadlines

IYT runs one edition per academic year, with the call usually opening early in the year. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the application deadline was 11 May 2026 at 6 p.m. Italian time. A new edition opens each year, so check the official platform for the current dates and apply within both the university admission window and the scholarship deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Start the university admission application early, since it runs alongside the scholarship application
• Choose a course that clearly matches your Bachelor's background and career goals
• Treat the motivation video seriously and keep it within the length limit
• Have your English certificate and transcripts ready in good time

Common mistakes to avoid

• Completing only one of the two applications (university admission and the IYT platform)
• Applying from a country that isn't on the eligible list for the edition
• Picking a course outside the three eligible fields
• Forgetting the small residual costs (regional tax and stamp duty) are still your responsibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)?

It's an Italian government programme for international students from eligible countries to take an English-taught Master's in Italy, with a tuition exemption, living stipend, free Italian course, and a company internship.

Which fields does Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) cover?

Engineering and advanced technologies, architecture and design, and economics and management.

How much does the Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) scholarship pay?

It provides a tuition-fee exemption plus an EUR 10,800 living-cost scholarship disbursed quarterly over the nine-month period, renewable for a second year.

Does Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) fully cover tuition?

It exempts you from the university tuition fee, but you still pay the regional tax of around EUR 140 and stamp duty of around EUR 16.

Who is eligible for Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)?

International students who are citizens or residents of the programme's eligible countries and hold a qualification for Master's enrolment in an eligible field.

Which countries are eligible for Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)?

The 2026-2027 list includes Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Paraguay, Peru, China, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

Is there an internship with Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)?

Yes. A mandatory internship at an Italian company is part of the programme.

Are Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) courses taught in English?

Yes. The Master's courses are taught entirely in English, and the programme adds a free Italian course on the side.

When is the Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) deadline?

The call is annual. For 2026-2027 the deadline was 11 May 2026 at 6 p.m. Italian time. A new edition opens each year.

How do I apply for Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)?

You submit two applications: one for university admission to your chosen course, and one on the official IYT online platform, including transcripts, a language certificate, CV, passport, and a motivation video.

Can the Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) scholarship be renewed?

Yes. It can be renewed for the second year of a two-year Master's, subject to the programme's conditions.

Who funds Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)?

It's run by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) with partner universities and institutions.