Sport and Universities: Scholarships for student-athletes now open – how and when to apply

A fund of nearly 14 million euros for students who study and compete at a high level in sport. This is set out in the call for applications entitled ‘Sports Fund for University Students’, published by the Ministries of Sport and Universities in fulfilment of a commitment made by the Government in 2022.

The funding for 2026 amounts to 9,820,978 euros, to which a further 4 million allocated by the MUR for 2027 will be added: in total, approximately 14 million earmarked for university students who are also involved in competitive sport at national level.

The scholarships are reserved for students enrolled for the 2025/2026 academic year at state universities and AFAM (Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance) institutions, with a university ISEE not exceeding 40,000 euros. Applicants must also meet sporting criteria relating to high-level competitive sport, to be certified by the relevant sporting bodies.

The figures are in line with those of the national student finance scheme: over 7,000 euros for students living away from home, around 4,150 euros for commuters and 2,850 euros for students living on campus.

Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the Department for Sport’s platform (avvisibandi.sport.governo.it), from 12 noon on 24 September to 12 noon on 26 October 2026. All required fields must be completed for the application to be eligible: incomplete applications will not be considered. The same platform will also manage the compilation of the ranking lists and the allocation of resources, with spot checks planned to ensure the correct disbursement of funds.