In an unprecedented alliance between pedagogy and industry, Milan’s Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) unveils twenty half-tuition scholarships—open to all income brackets—for its 2026/27 undergraduate programmes in Milan and Rome. There exists a certain Italian alchemy, a saper fare, that the world has long coveted: the silent dialogue between the artisan’s hand and the designer’s mind. Now, NABA – ranked as Italy’s finest Academy of Fine Arts and among the global top 50 for Art & Design by QS World University Rankings – is codifying that dialogue into a tangible instrument of opportunity. The Academy has launched the “NABA Future Talents – Made in Italy Program,” a visionary scholarship initiative born from a collaboration with three icons of the Bel Paese: Breil (design), Clementoni (game and learning), and Venchi (haute chocolaterie).
Together, they are offering 20 exclusive, merit-based scholarships covering 50% of tuition fees, with no income ceiling, to the most compelling candidates. The scholarships are not merely for fresh-faced matriculants: while aspiring first-year students will be judged on their entrance examination, NABA has cleverly opened a side door for the restless – those who have completed their first year at another university may transfer directly into the second year of a NABA three-year programme, presenting a portfolio or project in lieu of traditional exams. Once inside, the support does not wither; students who demonstrate consistent rigour may renew the scholarship through to their third and final year.
What distinguishes this scheme is its industrial intimacy: the winning scholars will be guests of honour at an official award ceremony at the Academy, followed by an exclusive educational tour behind the velvet ropes of Breil, Clementoni, and Venchi’s headquarters. Moreover, these corporate partners will sit on the selection jury, ensuring that the chosen projects resonate with the real-world cadences of commerce and craft. “We are proud that some of Italy’s most important brands have chosen to join us on this shared journey,” says Daniele Bisello or Ragno, NABA’s Managing Director.
“This collaboration represents a concrete investment in the future of young people and the valorisation of talent. We firmly believe that the relationship between education and enterprise is the engine for creating new professional opportunities.” Spanning NABA’s campuses in Milan and Rome, the eligible programmes cover the entire creative spectrum: from Graphic Design and Art Direction to Cinema and Animation, Fashion Design, Set Design, Painting, and even Marketing for the Creative Enterprise. And for those watching the horizon, NABA will extend this very educational model to its new London campus, opening for the 2026/27 academic year. For further information on the “NABA Future Talents – Made in Italy Program,” candidates are advised to consult the official competition notice.
