Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - Grants for Foreign Students

MAECI Grants for Foreign Students

You will receive 10,800 EUR for a 9-month study period in Italy, paid in three instalments spread across the academic year (from 1 November 2026 to 31 July 2027). If, instead, you enrol on the 3-month ‘Italofonia’ Italian language and culture course, you will receive 3,600 EUR as a one-off lump sum. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) also provides health and accident insurance for the entire duration of the scholarship. Some universities waive tuition fees; however, regional fees are still payable and are not covered. The scholarship is intended to support study, training or research in Italy at public or recognised private institutions.

The 9-month scholarship covers various courses of study: a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), a higher education programme in fine art, music and dance (AFAM), a PhD or a research project supervised by an Italian supervisor. Scholarships for Master’s programmes, AFAM and PhDs may be extended for further years. Research scholarships and the language course cannot be extended.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You hold a valid passport issued by one of the approximately 139 countries listed by the MAECI. You are applying for only one country, and selection is based on your nationality.
• Where you live: You live outside Italy. You are not currently enrolled at an Italian higher education institution and have not yet obtained a degree from one.
• Your level: You already possess the qualifications required for your chosen degree programme; for example, a qualification equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree for a Master’s programme. To undertake a PhD programme, you will also need a certificate of admission from an Italian higher education institution. To undertake a research project, you will need a letter of invitation from a supervisor and a research proposal.
• Field of study: Any topic is allowed.
• Age at the deadline (26 March 2026): up to 28 for Master, AFAM and the language course; up to 30 for PhD; up to 40 for research projects. Age limits do not apply to renewals.
• Language: For Master’s programmes or AFAM programmes taught in Italian, a knowledge of Italian at level B2 is required. For degree programmes taught in English, a level of English proficiency equivalent to B2 is required. For the ‘Italofonia’ course, a level of Italian proficiency equivalent to A2 is required. No proof of language proficiency is required for PhD programmes or research projects.
• Who cannot apply: Employees of the Italian public administration and their children, as well as anyone who has already received a MAECI-funded research grant in the last 5 academic years.

A separate strand for Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) is open only to people who hold solely Italian citizenship and live in one of 20 named countries.

How to apply

Registration and applications must be submitted via the ‘Study in Italy’ portal by 14:00 Italian time on 26 March 2026. A committee at the Italian diplomatic mission in your country will first assess your eligibility and your academic performance. It will then invite shortlisted candidates to an interview and finally publish a ranking list based on performance.