ITALIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION (MAECI)
Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students (MAECI / IRE)
partial · masters, phd
- ~€900/moMonthly allowance
- Study in ItalyHost country
- Master’s, PhD, AFAMProgrammes
- 3/6/9-month grantsDuration
- MAECI (Foreign Ministry)Funder
- Study in Italy portalApplication
At a glance
partial
Funding
€9k
Max amount
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
Countries on the MAECI eligible list (varies by year)
Country
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)
Provider
The Italian Government Scholarships, offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), support foreign citizens and Italian citizens living abroad to study and research in Italy. They aim to promote international cultural cooperation and the spread of knowledge of Italian language and culture, and are offered to applicants from dozens of eligible countries each year. The scholarships fund master's degrees, PhDs, research projects under academic supervision, higher arts and music education (AFAM), and Italian-language courses. Each grant typically provides a monthly allowance of around €900, plus health insurance worth up to €100 per month, and — for many recipients — an exemption from university tuition fees applied for separately through the host institution. Grants are awarded in 3-, 6-, or 9-month periods depending on the programme. Applications are made online through MAECI's "Study in Italy" portal during the annual window, which commonly closes around 30 April, and eligibility, including age limits, varies by category and by the applicant's country.
What's covered
- Monthly allowance — A monthly maintenance allowance of ~€900 for the grant period.
- Health insurance — Health/medical insurance coverage for the scholarship period.
- Tuition exemption — Exemption from university enrolment/tuition fees in many cases (requested via the host institution).
- Grant duration — Awards of 3, 6, or 9 months depending on the programme and category.
How to apply
Apply online through MAECI's "Study in Italy" portal during the annual application window, selecting your programme category and host institution.
- Check eligibility — Confirm your country is eligible and you meet the age/qualification rules for your category.
- Choose programme & host — Identify your master's/PhD/research/AFAM/language programme and host institution in Italy.
- Register on the portal — Create an account on the MAECI "Study in Italy" portal and complete the application.
- Upload documents — Provide transcripts, your study/research plan, language certificates, and the acceptance/contact where required.
- Submit by the deadline — Submit the online application by the annual deadline (commonly ~spring).
- Selection & enrolment — A commission evaluates applications; selected scholars enrol and (where applicable) request tuition exemption.
Eligibility
NationalityForeign citizen, or Italian citizen living abroad (IRE), from a country on the MAECI eligible list.
ProgrammeApplying for a master's, PhD, research project, AFAM (arts/music), or Italian-language course.
Age limitsAge caps vary by category (e.g. typically under ~28 for master's, ~30 for PhD, ~40 for research — guideline).
LanguageItalian or English proficiency as required by the chosen programme.
QualificationsHold the academic qualifications required for the chosen programme.
Apply online via the MAECI "Study in Italy" portal during the annual window. Tuition exemption is requested separately from your host Italian institution.
Eligible countries
Countries on the MAECI eligible list (varies by year)
Deadlines
Typical annual window2027-04-30
Selection
A selection commission evaluates applications on academic merit, the quality of the study/research plan, language ability, and fit with the chosen programme and host. Eligibility (country, age, qualifications) is checked first, then candidates are ranked within their category. Each year MAECI offers these grants to applicants from dozens of eligible countries, with the ~€900 monthly allowance and 3-, 6-, or 9-month durations set in the annual call.
Verified sources
- Italian Government Scholarships — Study in Italy (MAECI)studyinitaly.esteri.itofficial
About the provider
Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) promotes Italian culture, language, and academic cooperation worldwide. Its government scholarships support foreign students and researchers, and Italians abroad, to study in Italy, strengthening international ties and the global presence of Italian higher education.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are the Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI)?
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Scholarships from Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) for foreign citizens and Italians living abroad to study or research in Italy — covering master's, PhD, research, AFAM (arts/music), and Italian-language courses.
Who is eligible?
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Foreign citizens, and Italian citizens resident abroad, from countries on the MAECI eligible list, applying for an eligible programme and meeting the age and qualification limits for their category.
What does the scholarship cover?
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A monthly allowance of ~€900, health insurance, and — in many cases — exemption from university tuition fees (requested separately through the host institution).
How long are the grants?
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They are awarded in periods of 3, 6, or 9 months, depending on the programme and category, rather than always covering a full degree.
How do I apply?
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Online through MAECI's "Study in Italy" portal during the annual window, choosing your programme category and host institution and uploading the required documents.
When is the deadline?
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The annual application window is commonly in ~spring (around ~April–May). Confirm the exact date each year on the Study in Italy portal.
Do I need to speak Italian?
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It depends on the programme — some are taught in English, others in Italian. You provide Italian or English certification as required by your chosen programme.
Is tuition covered?
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Often yes, via a tuition exemption, but this is requested separately from the host Italian institution rather than included automatically in the grant.
What is AFAM?
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AFAM is Italy's higher arts and music education sector (conservatories and arts academies). MAECI scholarships can fund AFAM programmes as well as university degrees.
Are there age limits?
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Yes — age caps vary by category (for example, lower for master's and higher for research). Check the current call for the limit that applies to your programme.
How competitive is it?
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Competitive and country-dependent — a commission ranks eligible applicants within each category on academic merit and the quality of the study/research plan.
Can Italian citizens apply?
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Yes — Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) from eligible countries can apply, alongside foreign citizens, under the programme's rules.