Italy Fully Funded MAECI Scholarships 2026/2027

March 16, 2026 7:35 am

Italy Fully Funded MAECI Scholarships 2026/2027

Imagine strolling through ancient Roman streets, enjoying authentic Italian espresso, and attending lectures at a prestigious university—all without worrying about tuition or living costs. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) is making that dream a reality. They have officially opened applications for fully funded scholarships targeting international students and Italian citizens living abroad.

This opportunity flies under the radar for many, but you now have the chance to seize it. The Italian Government MAECI scholarships cover a diverse range of academic paths. You can pursue a Master’s degree, enroll in a PhD program, attend Fine Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM) courses, conduct supervised research, or even immerse yourself in intensive Italian language and culture courses. Public universities and legally recognized private institutions across Italy welcome these scholars, making this one of Europe’s most accessible government backed study grants.

Beyond the main scholarships, the program honors Ambassador Luca Attanasio and his entourage through three dedicated “Attanasio” awards. These specifically support applicants from Morocco, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo who wish to study international relations, development cooperation, or human rights law. The total number of scholarships varies by country, so you should check the Study in Italy portal for the latest figures specific to your nationality.

What the Italian Government Actually Pays For

The financial structure of this scholarship is refreshingly straightforward. It provides reliable support from your first month in Italy through the end of the academic year. Here is exactly what you receive:

Substantial Living Stipend: For Master’s, PhD, AFAM, and research programs, you receive €10,800 over nine months. The scholarship disburses this in three instalments. You get €5,500 upon arrival and enrolment verification starting November 2026. You then receive €2,300 from February 2027 after confirming continued enrolment. Finally, you get €3,000 from June 2027 once you demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
Language Course Funding: If you opt for the three month intensive Italian language and culture scholarship, you receive €3,600 in a single payment at the end of the program, following verified attendance and progress.
Comprehensive Health Insurance: All scholarship holders benefit from a MAECI contracted collective health insurance policy. This covers illness and accident expenses throughout the scholarship duration. Note that pre-existing conditions and dental care are excluded.
Potential Tuition Waivers: Several Italian universities waive tuition and enrolment fees for MAECI scholars under their own autonomy regulations. You must verify this directly with your chosen institution, as fee exemption is not automatic and regional fees always remain your responsibility.
Compatibility Rules: This scholarship cannot run alongside any other Italian government or public institution grant. However, it can coexist with Erasmus, Erasmus+, and programs funded by international organisations, provided your study activity takes place on Italian territory.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility rules leave no room for error. Missing even one requirement will disqualify your application. Check these criteria carefully before you begin:

Citizenship Matters: You must hold citizenship in an eligible country listed on the Study in Italy portal. If you hold multiple citizenships, you can only apply through one country’s selection process.
Age Limits Are Firm: For Master’s and AFAM programs, you must be 28 or younger by March 27, 2026. PhD candidates have a ceiling of 30, while research project applicants can be up to 40.
Language Proficiency Required: Master’s and AFAM applicants need at least B2 proficiency in Italian for Italian taught programs, or B2 in English for English taught programs. PhD and research candidates face no language requirement from MAECI, though individual institutions may impose their own.
Previous Study Restrictions: You cannot have previously obtained a degree from any Italian institution. You also cannot have been enrolled in a secondary school in Italy, nor held a MAECI research scholarship in any of the last five academic years.

How the Application Process Unfolds

The entire process runs through a single online platform. Start by registering on the Study in Italy portal at studyinitaly.esteri.it using an email address you check daily. Every official communication will arrive there.After registration, you must upload your valid passport, academic qualification certificates, language proficiency proof where required, and for research applicants, a supervisor’s invitation letter along with your project. A committee at the relevant Italian diplomatic representation will then evaluate all applications. Candidates who pass this stage will receive an invitation for an interview. Following interviews, the committee publishes a merit ranking, and top ranked applicants must submit any supplementary documents by July 1, 2026.

Click Here to Apply

The Deadline

You must submit all applications through the Study in Italy portal by 14:00 Italian time on March 26, 2026. This deadline is absolute. The portal will not accommodate last minute traffic surges, and technical slowdowns will not excuse a late submission.