Italian Government Scholarship for Foreign Students
The Italian Government Scholarships, offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), support foreign students and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) for the 2026-2027 academic year. These grants promote international cultural, scientific, and technological cooperation, as well as the Italian language and economic system. Scholarships are for onsite study, training, or research at public or legally recognized private Italian institutions, including universities, AFAM institutions, research centers, museums, and archives.
Available for Master's Degree programmes (Laurea Magistrale), Higher Education in Fine Arts, Music and Dance (AFAM 1st/2nd cycle), PhD programmes, research projects under supervision, intensive Italian language and culture courses ('Italofonia'), and limited Bachelor's/Single-Cycle renewals ('Costruiamo il futuro'). Most scholarships last 9 months (Nov 1, 2026 - Jul 31, 2027, renewable except research); Italofonia is 3 months. Award amount is €10,800 for 9-month grants (paid in three installments: €5,500, €2,300, €3,000 upon verifications), or €3,600 for Italofonia, equivalent to €900/month maintenance. Includes medical insurance; tuition exemptions possible but not guaranteed; regional fees not covered.
Applications via Study in Italy portal: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it. Selection by merit, possible interviews, rankings published on diplomatic sites. Renewals prioritized for prior recipients with good progress. No scholarships for part-time or online courses.
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: Foreign nationals or IRE (sole Italian citizens resident in specific countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, etc.) from eligible countries listed on portal; one country only; dual citizens apply as foreign.
- Age (as of 2026-03-26): ≤28 for Master's/AFAM/Italofonia/Costruiamo (born on/after 1997-03-27); ≤30 for PhD; ≤40 for research. Renewals exempt.
- Academic: Appropriate prior degree/title (e.g., Bachelor's for Master's); PhD admission letter; research tutor letter+project. No prior Italian degrees, no MAECI research 2021-2026, full-time courses only, no first-year Bachelor's except renewals.
- Language: B2 Italian/English for relevant programs (certificates, exemptions); A2 Italian for Italofonia; none for PhD/research.
- Other: Valid ID; not Italian public employees/relatives; apply online by deadline with docs (integrate some later if shortlisted).
For thorough eligibility and selection information, visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.