The DGDP (Directorate General for Public and Cultural Diplomacy) of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through the Unit for the Coordination of Italian Institutes of Culture, provides grants at the request of a party for:
- the financing of travel and living expenses of Italian or foreign researchers, professors, experts, cultural personalities and cultural workers resident in Italy for at least two years invited abroad by foreign university or cultural institutions;
- contributions to travel and living expenses of foreign or Italian researchers, lecturers, experts, cultural personalities and cultural workers residing abroad invited by Italian university and cultural institutions in order to promote their collaborations and joint research programs.
Applicants can apply to Italian MoFA for a financial contribution to partially cover travel and accommodation expenses, disbursed as a lump sum in the maximum amount of 1,500 and 3,000 euros depending on the destination and for a maximum period of 10 days of activity.
There is no grant disbursement beyond the 10th day of stay. For counting purposes, only days of actual cultural and/or research activities are to be included.
Payment of the contribution will be made upon completion of the mission upon presentation of the final report on the activity, the certificate of stay issued by the host institution, and the travel documents. The contribution consists of an all-inclusive daily lump sum, including 250 euros per day for stays of up to 5 days and 50 euros per day from the sixth to the tenth day of stay abroad or in Italy, for a maximum value of 1,500 euros per mission.
In order to incentivize cooperation with strategic but geographically distant areas, such as countries in Asia, Africa (excluding the MENA area) and the Americas, a contribution of 350 euros per day for stays of up to 5 days and 250 euros per day from the sixth to the tenth day is provided at a maximum value of 3,000 euros per beneficiary. The Administration reserves the right to modify the list of these areas.
Within the fixed lump sum ceiling, missions abroad carried out by Italian candidates may include activities in more than one country. Please note that the invitation abroad cannot be tied to the disbursement of the grant by MAECI. It should also be noted that reimbursements are not allowed for travel that does not take place in economy class.
In light of the availability of funds, the IIC Coordination Unit may decide on the disbursement of grants to beneficiaries for fewer days than requested in the application. It should be noted that the allocation of grants will, in any case, be made until the available funds in the chapter are exhausted.
It is emphasized that only applications from those who have received an official invitation from a university or cultural institution will be accepted, giving preference to invitations under Bilateral Cultural Cooperation Executive Agreements and Programs.
In the case of Italian applicants or those resident in Italy, the invitation must be received from a foreign university or cultural institution; in the case of foreign applicants or Italians resident abroad, the invitation must be issued by an Italian institution.
Applications should be forwarded to e-mail iicaddisabeba@esteri.it and, in copy, to the IIC Coordination Unit (dgdp.unic.cap2619@esteri.it) no later than July 31, 2025.
The grant is eligible for all activities starting from January 1 to November 15, 2025. It should also be noted that it will not be possible to provide grants for missions that will take place after this date.
Grant recipients should email iicaddisabeba@esteri.it a final report on the activity carried out, written in Italian or English, travel documents, boarding passes, and certificate of stay issued by the host institution. These documents should be submitted within 10 days after the end of the mission.
For more information and to download the forms to be attached to the application, click the following link.
* All forms must be completed in Italian or English.