Deadline for Applications: 26 March 2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) invites applications for the prestigious 2026/27 Italian Government Scholarships. These scholarships target both international students and Italian citizens residing abroad (IRE) for the academic year 2026-2027. The program aims to strengthen global collaboration in cultural, scientific, and technological domains, while also advancing the promotion of Italian language and culture. Additionally, it supports the international development of Italy’s economic framework.
It is important to note that these scholarships are intended solely for academic courses undertaken within Italy’s borders.
Overview of the 2026/27 Italian Government Scholarships
These scholarships provide financial support for study, training, and research activities conducted at public or legally recognized private academic institutions in Italy. They are specifically granted for in-person participation at Italian institutions.
The full list of countries eligible for these scholarships can be found on the official Study in Italy portal: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/. Selection is strictly based on the applicant’s citizenship, and candidates are permitted to apply for only one country’s scholarship program.
Scholarships earmarked for Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) are exclusively available to those holding solely Italian citizenship and residing in one of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Peru, United Kingdom, Senegal, Spain, South Africa, Tunisia, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Applicants with dual citizenship (Italian and foreign) must apply through the selection process of their foreign country of citizenship, specifying their foreign citizenship in the “Citizenship” field on the Study in Italy portal.
Those possessing multiple foreign citizenships may choose to apply through only one beneficiary country of which they hold citizenship, and must indicate that citizenship in the relevant “Citizenship” field when registering.
Eligibility Criteria
- Identification Documents: All applicants are required to have a valid passport or identity card. A clear and legible scanned copy of this document must be uploaded during the registration process on the Study in Italy portal. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
- Italian Citizenship Declaration: Applicants who also possess Italian citizenship must declare this status at the time of application and provide evidence, such as a valid Italian passport, identity card, or citizenship certificate.
- Compliance with Requirements: Candidates must fulfill all stipulated requirements either by the application date or by any specific deadlines clearly stated in the call.
Academic Qualifications
To qualify for scholarships designated for study programs, applicants must hold the academic credentials necessary for enrollment in their chosen course.
If the applicant already possesses an official certificate confirming the award of such a qualification, it must be uploaded to the Study in Italy portal alongside the scholarship application.
For those who have not yet obtained the required academic qualification, they should declare this fact on the portal during application. If requested, the certificate must be submitted at a later stage.
Candidates applying for scholarships linked to PhD programs are required to upload both their academic qualification certificate and the official admission letter to the PhD program when submitting their application.
No pre-admission letters will be accepted. If an applicant does not yet have the official admission letter at the time of application, they must declare this on the portal and upload an invitation letter from their prospective supervisor instead. The official admission letter must then be provided later if requested.
For other programs, no additional documents can be added after submitting the application.
It is essential to note that scholarships are not available to students who have exceeded the standard duration of their degree program or who are enrolled part-time.
Applications from candidates who do not satisfy the eligibility requirements will be rendered invalid and will not be considered.
