CONTRIBUTIONS FOR VISITS BY RESEARCHERS, LECTURERS, EXPERTS, CULTURAL FIGURES AND OPERATORS FUNDED UNDER CHAPTER 2619/7 – YEAR 2026. OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICES ABROAD.
Office VI – DGCE provides, under Chapter 2619/7, grants upon request for:
- funding travel and accommodation expenses for researchers, lecturers, experts, cultural figures and cultural operators—Italian or foreign residents in Italy for at least two years—invited abroad by foreign universities or cultural institutions;
- contributions toward travel and accommodation expenses for foreign or Italian researchers, lecturers, experts, cultural figures and cultural operators residing abroad, invited by Italian universities and cultural institutions to promote collaboration and joint research programs.
1. BENEFICIARIES OF THE CONTRIBUTION
Researchers, lecturers, experts, cultural figures and cultural operators:
a) Italian and foreign residents in Italy for at least two years invited to foreign universities or cultural institutions for study or research purposes;
b) Foreign nationals and Italians residing abroad invited to Italian universities or cultural institutions for study or research purposes;
may apply to MAECI for a financial contribution covering part of travel and accommodation costs. The contribution is provided as a lump sum, up to a maximum of €1,500 or €3,000 depending on the destination, for a maximum period of 10 days of activity. No contribution is provided beyond the tenth day of stay. Only days of actual cultural and/or research activity are counted.
The contribution consists of a daily all-inclusive flat rate:
- €250 per day for stays up to 5 days;
- €50 per day from the sixth to the tenth day;
for a maximum of €1,500 per mission.
To encourage cooperation with strategically important but geographically distant areas—such as countries in Asia, Africa (excluding the MENA region), and the Americas—a higher contribution is provided:
- €350 per day for stays up to 5 days;
- €250 per day from the sixth to the tenth day;
up to a maximum of €3,000 per beneficiary.
The Administration reserves the right to modify the list of these areas.
Within the established lump-sum limit, missions abroad by Italian applicants may include activities in multiple countries. Invitations abroad must not be conditional upon the granting of the MAECI contribution. Travel reimbursements are only allowed for economy class.
Depending on available funds under Chapter 2619/7, the Office may grant contributions to foreign beneficiaries for fewer days than requested. Contributions will in any case be awarded until available funds are exhausted.
2. APPLICATION AND DISBURSEMENT PROCEDURES
Interested parties, both Italian and foreign, may submit their application to the relevant Italian Cultural Institute (IIC). If no IIC is present in the country, the application must be sent to the competent diplomatic or consular mission, with this Office copied (dgce06.missioni@esteri.it).
Only applications from individuals who have received an official invitation from a university or cultural institution will be accepted, with preference given to invitations within bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreements and Executive Programs.
- Italian applicants or residents in Italy must receive invitations from foreign institutions.
- Foreign applicants or Italians residing abroad must receive invitations from Italian institutions.
Contributions for foreign beneficiaries will be disbursed through the foreign office that received the application. Italian beneficiaries will receive funds directly from this Office.
Applications are reviewed in order of receipt and based on the evaluation criteria outlined in section 4, subject to available funding.
3. APPLICATION APPROVAL PROCESS
The process begins when the applicant submits their request via email—using the attached template—to the competent Institute or Diplomatic/Consular Mission and to this Office. The application must include all required documentation listed in the attachment.
The foreign office reviews the application and communicates its opinion (positive or negative) within 10 working days. The Office may request additional information and will make the final decision. The foreign office will notify the applicant of the outcome.
Within 10 days after the end of the mission, applicants must submit the following documents to receive the contribution:
- Travel documents (e.g., airline tickets and boarding passes);
- Certificate of stay issued by the host institution;
- Final report on the activities carried out.
4. EVALUATION CRITERIA
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- the applicant’s CV;
- potential medium- and long-term impact of the mission in terms of cultural/scientific projects and partnerships;
- prestige of the institutions involved;
- rotation principle among beneficiaries.
DGCE will also consider:
- alignment with geographic and thematic priorities;
- existence of an active cultural cooperation program between Italy and the partner country.
5. DEADLINES
Applications must be submitted via messaging to this Unit no later than 31 July 2026.
The contribution is valid for activities taking place between 1 January and 15 November 2026.
No contributions will be granted for missions occurring after 15 November 2026.
6. PUBLICITY
All offices are requested to widely publicize these procedures on their institutional websites, social media channels, and mailing lists, using the attached application form. All relevant information and materials should be properly translated.
7. CONTACTS
In addition to the email address dgce06.missioni@esteri.it, further information can be requested from:
- Dr. Anna Pastore (anna.pastore@esteri.it)
- Dr. Riccardo Vullo (riccardo.vullo@esteri.it)
- Dr. Antonio Emanuele Ricci (antonio.ricci@esteri.it)
Download: Self-Certification Declaration