Application Deadline: March 26, 2026
The application period is now open for the Italian Government Scholarships for the academic year 2026/2027. These scholarships are offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) to support both international students and Italians living abroad (IRE). The primary objective is to foster cultural, scientific, and technological collaboration, enhance the global visibility of Italy’s economic framework, and promote the knowledge and appreciation of Italian language and culture worldwide.
These scholarships are intended for study, training, and/or research programs conducted at Italian public universities or legally recognized private institutions. Importantly, scholarship recipients must attend academic courses physically within Italy.
Eligibility Criteria
Selection is carried out based on citizenship, with applicants permitted to apply for a scholarship in only one country. Scholarships specifically reserved for Italians residing abroad (IRE) are available solely to candidates who exclusively hold Italian citizenship and reside 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
- Venezuela
Candidates with dual citizenship (Italian and foreign) must apply through the selection process of their foreign country of citizenship and indicate the foreign nationality in the “Citizenship” section on the Study in Italy portal. Those holding multiple foreign citizenships may submit applications for only one country’s selection process, specifying that country’s citizenship accordingly.
Available Scholarship Categories
Master’s Degree Programs (Laurea Magistrale, Second Cycle)
Scholarships for Master’s degree courses are granted for a study period of nine months and may be renewable. Applicants aiming to enroll in the first year of a Master’s degree in Italy must have previously completed a first-cycle degree equivalent to an Italian Bachelor’s degree (Laurea triennale).
Higher Education in Fine Arts, Music and Dance (AFAM)
For both first and second-cycle AFAM programs, scholarships cover nine months of study and are potentially renewable. Admission requires applicants to meet the academic prerequisites set by their chosen institution.
PhD Programs
PhD scholarships are awarded for nine months with the possibility of renewal. Candidates must fulfill the academic qualifications established by the university and successfully pass an admission exam to enroll.
Research Projects
Research scholarships, including those involving co-tutorship, are offered for a nine-month period and are non-renewable. These grants support research activities carried out in Italy at public or legally recognized private universities, public research institutions, and accredited museums or archives.
“Italofonia” Scholarships for Intensive Italian Language and Culture Courses
These scholarships fund three-month intensive Italian language and culture courses. Applicants must demonstrate at least an A2 level proficiency in Italian according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
WikiAfrica Education – Higher Education Initiative
In partnership with the Aurora Foundation, MAECI scholarship holders from Africa who speak African languages are invited to participate in the WikiAfrica Higher Education Initiative. This program encourages active student involvement and aims to expand the availability of specialized information about Africa online. The initiative is executed through a collaboration between the Moleskine Foundation, Wikimedia Foundation, and Aurora Foundation.
Scholarship Benefits
Tuition Fees
Some universities may waive the enrolment and tuition fees for scholarship recipients based on the autonomy regulations under Italian Legislative Decree No. 68, dated March 29, 2012. However, recipients should verify with their selected institutions regarding any tuition fees, which are not refundable by MAECI. Regional fees must be paid by the students and are non-refundable regardless of the scholarship.
Health Insurance
Scholarship holders will be covered by a collective health insurance policy arranged by MAECI, which provides coverage for medical expenses due to illness or accidents, valid only during the scholarship period.
Scholarship Stipend
Successful candidates for scholarships listed under sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.6 of the call will receive a total amount of €10,800. This sum will be transferred to the recipient’s Italian bank account in three installments.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted strictly through the online portal after registering on the Study in Italy website: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it. It is highly recommended that applicants use an email address they frequently check, as all communications regarding the application will be sent there.
The deadline for submitting online applications and supporting documents is 14:00 (Italian time) on March 26, 2026. Only submissions through the Study in Italy portal will be accepted as valid.
For comprehensive details and to apply, please Visit the Official Webpage of the Italian Government Scholarships.
