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StudioSì,
Smart Specialization Fund

The StudioSì Fund of the NOP on Research and Innovation 2014-2020,
promoted by the Ministry of University and Research,
is intended for students attending tertiary education programmes in Italy or abroad

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What It Is

StudioSì is a Fund provided by the NOP on Research and Innovation 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), designed to support participation in tertiary education programmes (single-cycle, second cycle, first and second level postgraduate master’s degree courses and specialization schools) consistent with the thematic areas identified by the National Smart Specialization Strategy.

The 12 Areas identified by the National Smart Specialization Strategy (NSSS) are:
Aerospace – Agrifood – Blue Growth – Green Chemistry – Design, Creativity and Made in Italy – Energy – Smart Factory – Sustainable Mobility – Health – Smart, Secure and Inclusive Communities – Technologies for Living Environments – Technologies for Cultural Heritage.

Beneficiaries

Students resident in the 8 regions of Southern Italy who are attending, have pre-enrolled or have been accepted in tertiary education programmes in Italy or abroad.
Students not resident in the regions of Southern Italy who are attending, have pre-enrolled or have been accepted in tertiary education programmes at universities in Southern Italy (up to 25% of resources)

Financial Resources

Funding of up to 50,000 euro, interest free and without any personal or third party guarantee obligation. In addition to tuition fees, the funding can cover study-related costs. The resources are allocated through two financial intermediaries: Intesa San Paolo and Gruppo Bancario Cooperativo Iccrea.

Eligible Courses

Post first-level tertiary education pathways: single-cycle degrees, second cycle degrees, first and second level postgraduate master’s degrees and specialization schools (without scholarships/remuneration) recognized by MUR.

How It Works

To participate in the initiative

Our Commitment to Education

The StudioSì Fund was introduced to respond to the financing needs related to access to tertiary education emerged from the EIB’s ex-ante evaluation. The initiative aims to support tertiary education in areas consistent with the National Smart Specialization Strategy.

Ministry of University and Research
The StudioSì Fund was established to implement the "Tertiary Education in Areas Consistent with the National Smart Specialization Strategy and its Attractiveness" Action of the NOP on Research and Innovation 2014-2020. Through this initiative, MUR intends to promote the principles of additionality and complementarity in the ordinary policies supporting the right to education.
The NOP on Research and Innovation 2014-2020
The StudioSì initiative is part of the measures supported by the NOP on Research and Innovation 2014-2020 under the investment priority aimed at “Improving the Quality and Effectiveness of Higher Education or Equivalent Level Qualifications to Increase Participation and Completion Rates Especially for Disadvantaged Groups”. The expected result of this initiative is linked to the objective of increasing the levels of competence, participation and educational success in tertiary and/or equivalent education.
European Commission
The StudioSì initiative is in line with the Skills Agenda for Europe adopted by the European Commission aimed at increasing graduates in the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

News and Events

Find out about news and events from the NOP on Research and Innovation 2014-2020
on the Programme’s website