Italian Government Scholarship (MAECI)
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Italy
Grants for foreign students to study, research or take Italian language and arts courses at Italian institutions, awarded through Italian diplomatic missions.
Application deadline
9 Jun 2027
308 days remaining
- Intake
- 2027–28 academic year
- Open to
- Eligible countries listed each cycle
- Study level
- Masters, PhD, Short course
We never charge for applications
What the scholarship covers
- Monthly allowance of €900
- Tuition fee exemption at Italian public institutions
- Health insurance coverage
- Duration of three, six or nine months depending on the course
Eligibility requirements
- Citizen of an eligible country or Italian citizen resident abroad
- Age limits by category, typically under 28 for master's, 30 for PhD
- Language proficiency in Italian or English depending on the course
- Relevant prior qualification for the chosen programme
Documents you will need
- Online application on the Study in Italy portal
- Academic transcripts and qualifications
- Language certificate (B2 Italian or English)
- Acceptance letter or proof of application to the institution
- Motivation letter and CV
How to apply, step by step
- 1
Check the annual call for the eligible country list
The list changes each cycle, and so do the categories offered to each country.
- 2
Choose your course category
Master's, PhD, research, or AFAM arts and music courses each have distinct requirements.
- 3
Obtain a language certificate
B2 in Italian or English depending on the course. This is checked strictly.
- 4
Apply to the Italian institution in parallel
The scholarship does not admit you. Institutional admission runs on its own timeline.
- 5
Submit on the Study in Italy portal
The window is typically a few weeks in May and June.
When to do what
Counting backwards from the deadline. Applications rushed in the final fortnight are the ones that fail.
20 weeks before
Check the annual call and confirm your country is listed.
16 weeks before
Choose the institution and start its admission process.
12 weeks before
Book a language exam if you lack a B2 certificate.
8 weeks before
Prepare the motivation letter and CV.
5 weeks before
Gather transcripts and translations.
1 week before
Submit on the portal before it closes.
What the panel is actually looking for
- Academic record and relevance of the chosen course
- Language proficiency
- Quality of the motivation letter
- Country quota for the cycle
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the scholarship grants admission to the institution.
- Applying without the required B2 language certificate.
- Missing the narrow application window in May and June.
- Exceeding the age limit for the chosen category.
Fields of study
Don't miss this deadline
We'll email you before applications for Italian Government Scholarship (MAECI) close.
Apply to more than one
Even outstanding applicants are rejected for reasons outside their control, quotas, country allocations, a stronger field that year. Shortlist three or four awards you genuinely qualify for and apply to all of them.