For Indians in Italy

ITALIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN CITIZENS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2013-2014

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers 135 man-month scholarships to Indian students for the academic year 2013-2014.

The announcement for these scholarships can be viewed  on the website of the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development, External Scholarships Division V, Department of Higher Education, West Block-I, Wing-6, 2nd Floor, Rama Krishna Puram, Sector-I, New Delhi 110023 (Tel: 011-26172491, Fax: 011-26172896). More details can be obtained from the above office by sending a mail to es5.education@yahoo.co.in

General eligibilty conditions: Preferably Post-Graduate or equivalent though minimum eligibility for University courses is Graduate. Applicants for University courses held entirely in English, will have to demonstrate at least A2 level certification or equivalent of competence in Italian language. Age should not exceed 35 years for all categories except for Italan language teaching courses where the age limit is 45 years as on 1 June 2013. (Since age limits can vary, as some institutions are legally required to set different ones, applicants are advised to check directly with the institutions concerned (e.g. the legal age limit for the National School of Cinema is 27). Preference should be given to candidates already enrolled/obtained clearance for enrollment in an Italian University.

The stipend amount of Euro 700 per month, which is inclusive of health insurance, is for stay in Italy as well as for the course fee. No international/national passage is offered by the Government of Italy for any of the scholarships. The Stipend is paid once in three months through bank account opened by the scholarship holder on arrival in Italy or dispensed directly to the scholarship holder by - Polytechnic of Milan, Polytechnic of Turin, University ‘Ca Foscari’ of Venice, University of Bocconi, University of Turin, University of Milan, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, University for Foreigners of Perugia, University for Foreigners of Siena, University for Foreigners ‘Dante Alighieri’ of Reggio Calabria - with whom the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has entered into an agreement for the disbursal of stipend. The scholarships shall be utilized between 1stJanuary and 31st December 2014.

Foreign nationals holding Italian Government Scholarships and enrolled in First Level Degree Courses (Corsi di Laurea di Primo livello) Second Level Degree Courses (Laurea Magistrale), Schools of Specialisation (Scuole di Specializzazione) (with the exception of medical studies) and research doctorates (Dottorati di ricerca) are exempted from university enrollment fees (ref: D.P.C.M. 09/04/2001).

Students enrolled in individual courses, professional training courses, Level I and II Masters courses, will be required to pay related enrollment fee.

Students should check information for foreign students in Italy at the website of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research):
http://www.studiare-in-italia.it/studentistranieri/

Eligible Institutions in Italy include:
• Universities, University institutes and Polytechnic Institutes.
• Advanced training institutes for art and music and conservatories.
• Restoration Institutes.
• The National School of Cinema.
• Italian research centres or laboratories, archives and museums that have stipulated agreements with the foreign under-graduate or post-graduate university departments in which the applicant is enrolled, or that offer institutional collaboration to foreign scholars and/or researchers through supervisors appointed by the director of the institution.

Scholarships cannot be granted for the following:
• Foreign institutions (universities, academies, libraries, schools of any sort), even if situated in Italy;
• Private and non-accredited research centres or laboratories.

Scholarships may be sought for pursuing courses of three (3) six (6) or nine (9) months duration as per the following categories:

A. Applicants may request three month scholarships for

1. Level B1 Courses in Italian language and culture offered by the Universities for Foreigners in Perugia, Siena, “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria and Roma Tre, or other institutions accredited to certify knowledge of Italian as a foreign language. Upon completion of the course attended the scholarship holder will have to sit for the required examination.
Eligibility: University Degree and should have passed at least one university level Italian language examination.

2. Courses in Italian language teaching of 3-month duration offered by the Universities for Foreigners of Perugia, Siena, “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria and Roma Tre or other institutions accredited in the certification of knowledge of Italian as a foreign language. Upon completion of the course attended the scholarship holder will have to sit for the required examination.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Graduate foreign teacher with documented experience in teaching Italian as a foreign language (IFL).

3. Study or research projects at non-private Italian research Centres – Laboratories – Libraries - Archives - Museums
Eligibility: Post-Graduate. Applicants must duly document study or research projects they intend to carry out at the chosen facility for a period of at least 3 months. Projects must have prior written approval, in a letter to the applicant from an Italian host institution supervisor. The letter must state the supervisor’s willingness to accept responsibility also for assessing the scholarship holder’s performance both during and at the conclusion of the study or research activity.

B. Applicants may request six or nine month scholarships for

1. Individual university courses (Level II)
Eligibility: University Degree. Preference is given to Level II individual university courses of a 6-month minimum duration, accompanied by a letter of pre-acceptance from the chosen university. Upon completion of the course attended the scholarship holder will have to sit for the required examination.

2. Advanced professional training, art and music courses
Eligibility: University Degree. Eligible courses of a minimum 6-month duration include those offered by institutes of advanced professional, art, music and choral training (academies, conservatories, ISIA, etc.), restoration institutes and the National School of Cinema. Upon completion of the course attended the scholarship holder will have to sit for the required examination.

3. Courses in Italian language teaching
for specific course programmes with a minimum 6-month duration offered by the Universities for Foreigners of Perugia, Siena, “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria and Roma Tre, or other accredited institutions authorized to certify knowledge of the Italian language or teaching Italian as a Foreign Language. Upon completion of the course attended, the scholarship holder will have to sit for the required examination.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Graduate foreign teacher with documented experience in teaching Italian as a foreign language (IFL).

4. Masters Degree courses (Levels I or II): All Level I and II Masters courses must have minimum six month duration and are not exempted from enrolment fees. If the course requires a period of study outside of Italy, Stipend will be suspended during that period. Since admittance to Masters Courses is often on a selection basis, and courses require a minimum number of participants to be held, it is the applicants’ responsibility to make sure both of their admittance to the course and its actual start date. Scholarship holders are reminded that they have a right to the awarded scholarship only for a period of study to be completed by 31 December 2014, and only if they attend the courses originally chosen. Upon completion of the course attended the scholarship holder will have to sit for the required examination.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a University degree corresponding with the Italian first or second Level degree depending on the Master course chosen and eventual other documentation as requested by their chosen Italian institution.

5. Doctorates Courses.
Eligibility: M.Phil. Since admission to research doctorates in Italy is regulated by strict provisions issued by individual universities, in addition to the requirements listed in the previous point, applicants are required to have established contact with the University of their Choice in order to comply with admission requirements. Since admission is by selection, in order to increase the chance of being accepted, it is advisable to apply to take the entrance exam for several universities, and best in the context of eventual protocols of understanding between their university of provenance and the Italian one.


6. Schools of specialization.
Eligibility: (See also “Masters Degree courses”, above) Courses must be of minimum six month duration. Medical studies are categorically excluded from the list of eligible specializations (See Legislative Decree no. 257 of 08.08.1991). For admission see also the previous point “Doctorate Courses”. Upon completion of the course attended the scholarship holder will have to sit for the required exams.

7. Singly or jointly supervised study or research projects.
Eligibility: (See also “Masters Degree courses”, above) Scholaraships are awarded exclusively for research activities at the CNR, Istituto Superiore di Sanità or other analogous State university facilities, museums, or archives, and for a minimum duration of 6 months. The research project proposal must be submitted with the application, in addition to letters of acceptance from the professor or expert supervisor of the research project proposed by the applicant, and from the director of the Italian academic institution or facility meant to host the scholarship holder. Priority will be given to applicants whose study and research aims are cited in existing bilateral agreements with the researcher’s home university. To receive each quarterly payment, in addition to the documentation cited in the Memorandum for Scholarship Holders (Regolamento del Borsista). Scholarship holders will be required to send periodical summary reports of the study or research activities carried out to the Country Contact at Office VII of the DGSP. Such reports shall be signed by the Italian supervisor who produced the above letter of acceptance. All free research programs are not eligible for scholarship.

Candidates for all the above categories should register their applications ‘on line’ with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at:
http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN/Ministero/Servizi/Stranieri/Opportunita/BorseStudio_stranieri.htm untill 31 May 2013. Only those candidates who register their applications shall be considered for personal interview.

After registering at http://borseonline.esteri.it/borseonline/it/ applicants will be able to access a multilingual on-line application form. After specifying language, country of nationality and whether the application is new or a renewal, the applicant then fills out the form; a draft can be saved and changed up until its final submission. If necessary, applicants can seek the help of Italian Cultural Centre for proper filling out of the form.

After submitting their application forms online, applicants must send the following to the Embassy of Italy and Italian Cultural Centre at 50-E Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021:

 Application Form – printed and signed, with passport-size photo attached;
 Two letters of introduction from academic authorities
 Letter of acceptance/enrollment from the host institution.

The above procedure is obligatory and is in addition to the requirements of the Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development. This may kindly be highlighted in the publicity for the scholarships.

For any assistance to compile online application form, candidates may be advised to contact the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, 50- E Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. Fax: 011-26871902; E-mail: scholarships.iicnewdelhi@esteri.it 

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