Italy allocates 1,520 scholarships for non‑medical health specializations and 60 spots for general practice training

The Italian government has approved 1,520 scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year to fund non‑medical health specialisation programmes, covering fields such as biology, chemistry, pharmacy, physics, dentistry, veterinary science and psychology. The decree was signed by Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini after coordination with the Ministry of Health and the Treasury, and the places were allocated to universities based on training capacity and the health system’s specialist needs. The measure also allows regions, autonomous provinces and other public or private bodies to fund additional scholarships, and universities may admit eligible candidates without a grant.

Separately, 60 scholarships have been made available for the new General Practice training course for 2026‑2029, with 140 applications received. The initiative aims to address a shortage of about 500 family doctors in Sardinia and follows a national surge in interest, with nearly 5,965 applicants for 2,651 total positions across Italy. Stakeholders stress the need for improved training quality, digitalisation of prescriptions and stronger integration of community health centres.

Both actions are part of a broader effort to strengthen Italy’s health workforce by expanding specialist and primary‑care training opportunities.