Jobs, Internships, Awards, Prizes

Students of Italian have access to a wide range of external scholarships and funding opportunities that can support language study, study abroad, research, and other academic experiences in Italy and the United States. Opportunities range from scholarships for intensive summer language study to funding offered by the Italian government and Italian and Italian-American organizations. Italian Studies students are encouraged to explore these possibilities early and to speak with an Italian Studies faculty member about opportunities that may complement their academic interests and plans. Eligibility requirements, funding amounts, and application deadlines vary, so students should consult the sponsoring organizations for the most current information.

Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

• Italian Government (MAECI) Scholarships for Foreign Students and Italian Citizens Living Abroad. Scholarships offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) for eligible foreign students and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) to pursue study, training, or research programs at institutions in Italy. Eligibility and available programs vary by year and country.
• NIAF Scholarships. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) offers nearly 200 scholarships annually, generally ranging from $2,500 to $12,000. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in Italian culture and heritage and meet NIAF's general eligibility requirements. NIAF membership is required; students may use the membership of a parent, guardian, or grandparent. Individual scholarships have additional eligibility requirements.
• Sons of Italy Foundation Scholarships. The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), offers merit-based National Leadership Grants, generally ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or Green Card holders of Italian descent and enrolled in an eligible undergraduate, graduate, or professional program. Individual scholarships may have additional requirements.
• Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Scholarships. Scuola Leonardo da Vinci offers scholarships to school and university students for Italian-language study in Italy. Full scholarships provide a 100% reduction in tuition for a standard four-week course; accommodation and other expenses are not included. Partial study grants are also available.
• Programma Ponte Scholarships — Association of Italian American Educators. The Association of Italian American Educators (AIAE) sponsors scholarships for Programma Ponte, a course of study in Rome focusing on contemporary Italy and designed for Italian-American college and high-school students. Consult AIAE for current eligibility requirements, application information, and deadlines. Past Recipients of Awards Luca May (Ponte Scholarship for Summer 2014).
• Eduitalia Scholarships. The Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with Eduitalia, offers scholarships to promote the study of Italian language and culture in the United States. The scholarships provide students who take the AP Italian Language and Culture exam with opportunities to study in Italy at participating Eduitalia institutions. Scholarships may include enrollment, Italian-language courses, accommodation, teaching materials, and extracurricular activities. Eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and available scholarships may vary from year to year.

Middlebury College Summer Languages Schools

Middlebury Language Schools offers merit-based scholarships, fellowships, and need-based financial aid for students participating in its intensive Italian language programs.

The Kress Fellowship provides full funding for a summer at the Middlebury Language Schools for graduate students in European art history or art conservation. Italian is one of the eligible languages. The fellowship covers tuition, on-campus housing, and food; travel and books are not included. Preference is given to graduate students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in an appropriate program at a Ph.D.-granting institution in the United States. In exceptional cases, advanced undergraduates preparing for graduate study in art history may also be considered.

For Dickinson students: Middlebury offers a $3,000 scholarship for students from other colleges and universities who attend a Middlebury Language School during the summer and then spend a semester at a Middlebury School Abroad during the following academic year. Students interested in combining intensive summer Italian study with a subsequent semester abroad should consult Middlebury for current eligibility requirements.

Middlebury also offers additional scholarships and need-based financial aid for students participating in its intensive summer language programs. For Summer 2027, the Italian program offers need-based grants of up to $7,400. Students should consult Middlebury's current application and scholarship deadlines for the most up-to-date information.