GRANTS FOR VISITS BY RESEARCHERS, PROFESSORS, EXPERTS, AND CULTURAL OPERATORS – 2026
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers grants to partially cover travel and accommodation expenses. The Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco is the local point of contact for submitting applications in this area.
WHO CAN APPLY
- Italian or foreign nationals residing in Italy for at least two years, invited by universities or cultural institutions in the northwestern United States;
- US nationals or Italians residing in our area, invited by Italian universities or cultural institutions.
GRANT AMOUNT
In order to encourage cooperation with strategically important but geographically distant areas, such as the countries of Asia, Africa (excluding the MENA region) and the Americas, a grant of €350/day for stays of up to 5 days and €250/day from the sixth to the tenth day is available, up to a maximum of €3,000 per beneficiary. The Administration reserves the right to modify the list of eligible areas. The grant covers a maximum of 10 days of actual cultural or research activity. Reimbursements for travel in classes other than economy are not permitted.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted using the official form below to the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, with the Ministry Office in copy. Only requests accompanied by an official invitation from a university or cultural institution will be accepted.
- contact.sanfrancisco@esteri.it— Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco
- dgce06.missioni@esteri.it — MAECI Office
DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT AFTER THE MISSION
Within 10 days of the end of the mission:
- Travel documents (tickets and boarding passes);
- Certificate of stay issued by the host institution;
- Final report on the activities carried out.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Applicant’s CV;
- Medium to long-term impact on cultural or scientific projects and partnerships;
- Prestige of the institutions involved;
- Rotation among beneficiaries;
Applications are reviewed in order of receipt, until funds are exhausted.
DEADLINES
- Application deadline: July 31, 2026
- Eligible period: January 1 – November 15, 2026
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information on the program and the required documentation, please visit the official website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.