Italian authorities have extended the application window to November 10, 2026, for a financial support program targeting university students who maintain elite athletic credentials. The funding pool, totaling 9,820,978 euros, is designed to back the dual-career path of competitors balancing rigorous academic courses with high-level sports training.
The initiative stems from a joint notice issued by the Minister for Sport and Youth and the Minister of University and Research. Potential beneficiaries must be enrolled for the 2025/2026 academic year at state universities or AFAM institutions, hold an ISEEU income indicator not exceeding 40,000 euros, and maintain registration with sports societies recognized by CONI or CIP. Scholarship amounts vary depending on whether the student lives away from home, commutes, or resides locally, according to government records.
Fitarco Archers Secure Access Through National Target and Para-Archery Groups
Within the broader national framework, archers affiliated with the Italian Archery Federation face specific eligibility criteria set by the federal council. Access is reserved for athletes belonging to the Targa National Groups or Para-Archery rosters as defined annually by the federation. This inclusion ensures that competitive archers pursuing elite national pathways can protect their academic pursuits without abandoning top-tier competition.
The Ministry for Sport and Youth, led by Andrea Abodi, emphasized that the funding fulfills a commitment to strengthen the alliance between higher education and athletics. Meanwhile, Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini noted that the policy prevents young competitors from facing forced choices between academic degrees and athletic excellence.
Applicants Must Submit Documents Through the Digital Portal
Applicants must submit their documentation exclusively through the dedicated portal provided by the Department for Sport at avvisibandi.sport.governo.it. Officials established dedicated electronic channels to handle technical inquiries through [email protected] and [email protected].
Scholarships Cover Tuition and Travel Expenses for Student-Athletes
Government statements connect the scholarship rollout to prior legislative measures, including the formal recognition of the student-athlete status and state-backed study funds aimed at covering university and master-level tuition costs.
By tailoring scholarship disbursements to student residency status—distinguishing between local residents, commuters, and those living away from their university towns—the program seeks to offset the unique living expenses incurred by traveling athletes. The digital portal requires strict adherence to income thresholds and athletic certifications outlined in the technical annex of the ministerial notice before funds are released.
The submission portal closes definitively at 12:00 noon on November 10, 2026, marking the final cutoff for eligible student-athletes across recognized national sports federations to secure their 2025/2026 academic year funding.
Additional Scholarships for Specific Programs
Separate funding opportunities for specific academic programs at the University of Padova include the Premi CdLM Scienze Statistiche
, offering two awards of 1,250 euros each for first-year students in the Master’s in Statistical Sciences, with a deadline of October 30, 2026. The Premio Infineon Computer Engineering
offers two 5,000 euro awards for students who have pre-enrolled in the Master’s in Computer Engineering, with a November 3, 2026, deadline.
These programs, detailed in source 2, highlight additional financial support for students beyond the general student-athlete initiative, reflecting institutional partnerships with private entities and academic departments.
Ministerial Statements on Policy Goals
Con questa misura dedicata alle borse di studio che rafforzano l’alleanza tra università e sport, diamo concreta attuazione a un altro impegno assunto davanti agli italiani dal Presidente Giorgia Meloni nel 2022
– stated Andrea Abodi, emphasizing the policy’s alignment with national priorities. He also acknowledged la collega Anna Maria Bernini per questa ulteriore occasione di preziosa collaborazione
. Abodi reiterated that the funding merita opportunità, tanto più quando si coniuga con il diritto allo studio e allo sport, pilastri sui quali vogliamo costruire il futuro della nostra Nazione
, as noted in source 3.
