Application Deadline
Application Deadline: March 26, 2026.
Introduction
Applications are now open for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships to foreign students and Italians Residing Abroad (IRE) for the 2026-2027 academic year, with the aim of promoting cooperation in the cultural, scientific and technological fields, the projection of Italy’s economic system in the world and the diffusion of knowledge of the Italian language and culture.
Requirements
Selection is based on citizenship. Applicants may apply for one country only.
Scholarships reserved for Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) are offered exclusively to students holding only the Italian citizenship and exclusively for the following countries, where they must be resident: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Peru, United Kingdom, Senegal, Spain, South Africa, Tunisia, Uruguay and Venezuela.
- Holders of dual citizenship (Italian and foreign) may apply only through the selection process of the foreign beneficiary country, indicating their foreign citizenship in the “Citizenship” field on the Study in Italy portal.
- Holders of multiple foreign citizenships may apply for only one selection process, choosing one of the beneficiary countries of which they are citizens, and must indicate the citizenship of the selected beneficiary country in the “Citizenship” field on the Study in Italy portal.
Types of Scholarships
- Master’s Degree programmes (Laurea Magistrale, 2nd cycle): Scholarships for Master’s Degree programmes are awarded for a period of study of 9 (nine) months and are potentially renewable. To enrol in the first year of a Master’s Degree programme (Laurea Magistrale – 2nd cycle) in Italy, applicants must have completed a 1st cycle programme, equivalent to an Italian Bachelor’s Degree (Laurea triennale).
- Higher Education for Fine Arts, Music and Dance (AFAM) programmes (1st and 2nd cycle): Scholarships for programmes of Higher Education for Fine Arts, Music and Dance (AFAM), for both 1st and 2nd cycle, are awarded for a period of study of 9 (nine) months and are potentially renewable. To enrol in an AFAM programme in Italy, applicants must possess the academic qualifications required by the chosen institution.
- PhD Programmes: Scholarships for PhD programmes are awarded for a period of study of 9 (nine) months and are potentially renewable. To enrol in a PhD programme in Italy, applicants must possess the academic qualifications required by the chosen institution and must have passed an admission test.
- Research projects: Scholarships for Research projects under academic supervision, including co-tutorships, are awarded for a period of study of 9 (nine) months and are not renewable. This type of scholarship can be awarded for research projects carried out in Italy at both public and legally recognised private Italian universities, public Italian Research Institutions, recognised museums and archives.
- “Italofonia” scholarships for intensive Italian language and culture courses: Scholarships for Italian language and culture courses are awarded for a period of study of 3 (three) months. This type of scholarship can be awarded to applicants whose proficiency level in Italian is at least equivalent to level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
WikiAfrica Education – Higher Education Initiative
In collaboration with Aurora Foundation, MAECI grantees from Africa and speaking African languages are offered the opportunity to take part in the WikiAfrica Higher Education Initiative, promoting the active participation of students with the aim of making specialized information on Africa available online.
Benefits
- Tuition Fees: Some universities exempt scholarship recipients from the payment of enrolment and tuition fees according to the regulations governing university autonomy. Scholarship recipients must inquire with their chosen institution regarding any obligation to pay tuition fees, which, if applicable, are not refundable by MAECI. Regional fees are due in any case, have to be paid by the student and are not refundable by MAECI.
- Health Insurance: Scholarship recipients will be covered by a collective health insurance, contracted by MAECI, in case of expenses due to illness or accident, exclusively for the duration of the scholarship.
- Payment of the Scholarship: The winner of a MAECI scholarship will receive a total amount of 10,800 (ten thousand eight hundred) euros, which will be disbursed to the Italian current account in their name in 3 (three) instalments.
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted exclusively online, following prior registration, through the Study in Italy portal: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it
- When registering on the portal, applicants are strongly advised to use an email address that they check regularly, as all subsequent communications will be sent to that address.
- Online applications must be received at the latest at 14:00 (Italian time) on March 26th 2026.
- Only applications and documents submitted through the Study in Italy portal will be considered valid.
Grant Atlas