The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) supports international mobility with the goal of promoting research, enhancing cultural exchange, and strengthening international cooperation. This initiative offers a concrete opportunity to build stronger ties between Italian and foreign institutions and to grow a global network for scientific and cultural collaboration.
Through its Unit for the Coordination of the Italian Cultural Institutes, MAECI is launching a new edition of its funding program for cultural and research missions. The program is open to researchers, faculty members, experts, cultural professionals, and prominent figures—Italian or international—who are involved in collaborative projects with academic or cultural institutions in Italy or abroad.
The program offers fixed contributions to cover travel and accommodation costs for:
- Italian citizens or foreign citizens who have been living in Italy for at least two years, invited by foreign universities or cultural institutions;
- Foreign citizens or Italians residing abroad, invited by Italian universities or cultural institutions.
The aim is to encourage international scientific and cultural cooperation, including with strategic and distant regions such as Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Americas.
HOW TO APPLY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates should submit their applications directly to the Italian Cultural Institute responsible for the area. If no IIC is present in the country, the application can be sent to the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate, and to the Unit at: dgdp.unic.cap2619@esteri.it.
Applications must include:
- An official invitation letter from the host institution (academic or cultural);
- Fulfilled application form;
- Any additional documents listed in the annex.
The evaluation will consider several factors: the candidate’s academic or professional background; the relevance of the institutions involved; the potential impact of the mission in terms of cultural and scientific cooperation; the principle of rotation among beneficiaries; and consistency with MAECI’s geographic and thematic priorities, as well as with bilateral agreements.
GRANT AMOUNTS
Grants range from €1,500 to €3,000, depending on the destination and the length of the mission (up to 10 days of activity).
DEADLINE AND ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
The deadline for applications is 31 July 2025. The funding applies to activities taking place between 1 January and 15 November 2025. Projects scheduled after that date will not be accepted.
