The Italian Government Scholarship Pays €10,800 — But Not in Monthly Instalments

Every scholarship guide describes the Italian Government MAECI Scholarship simply as “fully funded” or mentions a “monthly stipend.” The reality is more specific and understanding it matters for financial planning.

The Italian Government Scholarship provides grantees with a total amount of €10,800, which will be disbursed to the Italian current account in their name in 3 installments.

The structure is:

• €4,500 after arrival in Italy
• €2,500 after confirmation of enrollment
• €3,800 (remainder) upon satisfactory academic performance

This is not a monthly stipend distributed regularly, it is a total grant of €10,800 paid in three lump sums tied to specific milestones. For financial planning purposes, you arrive with the expectation of €4,500 first, then wait for enrollment confirmation for the second payment.

MAECI Scholarship:

The MAECI scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year are designed to promote international cultural, scientific, and technological cooperation, support Italy’s economic system worldwide, and encourage the study of the Italian language and culture.

The Italian Government Scholarship is offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI, Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale) and is one of Europe’s broadest-reaching government scholarship programs open to students from virtually all countries worldwide.

What Is MAECI — Italy’s Foreign Affairs Ministry

MAECI stands for Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It is the Italian government body responsible for foreign policy, diplomatic relations, and international cultural and scientific cooperation.

The scholarship is established under Law 288/55, Italian legislation dating from 1955 that authorizes the government to offer scholarships for international cultural and educational exchange. This gives the MAECI scholarship a legal basis that has remained consistent for 70+ years, making it one of the most established government scholarship programs in Europe.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation offers scholarships to foreign students and Italians residing abroad for the academic year. These scholarships aim to promote cultural, scientific, and technological cooperation, enhance the global projection of Italy’s economic system, and foster the dissemination of Italian language and culture.

Italy’s strategic interest in this scholarship extends beyond altruism. The scholarship serves Italy’s soft power goals creating international relationships with graduates who have studied and lived in Italy, who speak Italian, and who carry knowledge of Italian culture, technology, and academic institutions back to their home countries.

Five Types of Scholarships Under MAECI

The scholarship supports Master’s degrees, AFAM program, PhDs, research projects, and Italian language and culture courses.

Type 1: Master’s Degree

Full master’s degree programs at Italian public universities or legally recognized private institutions. Duration depends on the program. Total grant: €10,800.

Type 2: PhD Studies

Doctoral research at Italian higher education institutions. Duration varies. Total grant: €10,800.

Type 3: Research Projects Under Academic Supervision

Applicants for Research Projects under academic supervision should not exceed the age of 40 years by the deadline of this call. Post-graduate research conducted at Italian institutions under an academic supervisor. Maximum age: 40 years. This is the only MAECI type with an age restriction.

Type 4: AFAM Programs

Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica) at Italian AFAM institutions the Italian equivalent of conservatories and arts academies. For students pursuing advanced training in performing and visual arts.

Type 5: Italian Language and Culture Courses (Advanced)

Short advanced courses in Italian language and culture. Total grant: €3,600 (lower than academic programs). For applicants who want to deepen Italian language proficiency and cultural knowledge.

Full Financial Package — What MAECI Covers

The Italian Government Scholarship covers a total amount of €10,800 in 3 installments, tuition and enrollment fee exemption (institution-dependent), and health and medical insurance for the entire scholarship period.

Grant Breakdown:

Additional Benefits:

Tuition/Enrollment Fee Exemption: Grantees may be exempted from the payment of enrollment and tuition fees depending on the policy of each university. Exemption is not granted for courses in Italian language and culture, for which enrollment fees are due.

The tuition exemption depends on each university’s policy. Some Italian public universities offer tuition exemptions to scholarship holders; others do not. Research your chosen institution’s policy before applying. Language courses always require payment of enrollment fees regardless.

Health Insurance: Grantees will be covered by health and medical/accident insurance contracted by MAECI for the entire duration of the grant. Insurance coverage will not apply to events derived from pre-existing physical and pathological conditions.

Health insurance is contracted by MAECI and covers the full scholarship period. However, it does NOT cover pre-existing conditions. If you have any existing medical conditions, ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered before departure.

Eligible Countries — All Foreign Students

The full list of eligible countries and territories is provided on the official portal at studyinitaly.esteri.it.

The MAECI scholarship is open to all foreign students meaning students from virtually every country in the world. Unlike many scholarships that restrict eligibility to specific developing country lists, MAECI is open to nationals of both developing and developed countries.

Important nuance: Bilateral cultural cooperation agreements between Italy and specific countries influence how many scholarships are allocated per country. Countries with stronger bilateral ties with Italy may have more scholarships available. The official portal lists the specific country allocations.

Who is NOT eligible:

• Foreign students currently residing in Italy at the time of application (the scholarship is for those coming FROM abroad)
• Students who have already received a MAECI scholarship in the current cycle (renewals have separate rules)

Renewal eligibility: Students who received a MAECI scholarship in 2025-2026 may apply for renewal for 2026-2027 if they are continuing the same full-time program at the same institution. Priority is given to students who are duly enrolled and can show at least 15 university credits (CFU) earned at the time of application.

If you received MAECI last year and are continuing the same program, you can apply for renewal with 15+ CFU credits as evidence of satisfactory progress.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Foreign student or Italian citizen abroad (IRE) Must be a foreign national NOT currently residing in Italy, OR an Italian citizen who is officially residing abroad (IRE).

2. Appropriate Academic Qualification Must hold the academic qualification required to enroll in the chosen Italian program.  A bachelor’s degree for master’s. For PhD: typically a master’s. For AFAM: relevant artistic training.

3. Age: Majority (18+) for Most Types For Master’s, AFAM, and Language courses: must be of legal majority (18+). No upper age limit.

4. Age ≤40 for Research Projects Applicants for Research Projects under academic supervision should not exceed the age of 40 years by the deadline of this call.

5. Not Currently Residing in Italy The scholarship is for international applicants, those already living in Italy are generally not eligible.

6. Academic Admission to Italian Institution While not always required BEFORE applying for the scholarship (you can apply simultaneously), you will need admission to proceed.

Application Process — studyinitaly.esteri.it

Visit the Study in Italy Portal: studyinitaly.esteri.it. Review the announcement and eligibility requirements. Complete the online application form with all requested information. Submit the application before the deadline at 2:00 PM Italian time.

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Visit studyinitaly.esteri.it: This is the ONLY application portal. All submissions must be made online through this portal.

Step 2: Review your country’s allocation: The portal shows how many scholarships are available for your country and which types (Master’s, PhD, Research, AFAM, Language). Check your country’s specific allocation.

Step 3: Choose your program and Italian institution: Research Italian universities offering your chosen field. Major Italian universities:

Step 4: Prepare documents Typical requirements include:

• Valid passport
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Motivation letter
• Research proposal (for PhD/Research applicants)
• Italian language certificate (if program requires Italian)
• English language certificate (for English-medium programs)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters

Step 5: Submit before March deadline Submit the application before the deadline at 2:00 PM Italian time. Ensure confirmation of submission is retained for reference.

The 2026-27 deadline was March 26, 2026. The 2027-28 cycle is expected to open February 2027 with a deadline in late March 2027.

Special Features — Ambassador Attanasio Scholarships + WikiAfrica

Three Ambassador Attanasio Memorial Scholarships:

For the 2026-2027 academic year, MAECI is reserving three 9-month scholarships in memory of Ambassador Luca Attanasio, Vittorio Iacovacci, and Mustapha Milambo.

WikiAfrica Higher Education Initiative:

African MAECI scholarship recipients who speak African languages may also have the opportunity to participate in the WikiAfrica Higher Education Initiative, developed with Aurora Foundation, Moleskine Foundation, and Wikimedia Foundation. This initiative supports the creation and sharing of specialized knowledge on Africa online.

African scholars who speak African languages (Swahili, Amharic, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Zulu, etc.) get the additional opportunity to contribute to knowledge about Africa on Wikipedia in their native languages expanding African digital knowledge representation.

Practical Guide for Non-Italian Speakers

Italy’s academic system uses the Bologna Process, the same credit system as much of Europe:

• CFU (Crediti Formativi Universitari) = European Credit Transfer System credits
• 15 CFU = approximately one semester of coursework
• Italian Master’s degrees: typically 120 CFU (2 years)
• PhDs: typically 3-4 years

Language considerations:

• Many Italian graduate programs are available in English, especially at Politecnico di Milano, Bologna, and other major institutions
• Italian language proficiency (B2 or higher) is required for Italian-medium programs
• Some programs accept either Italian OR English
• The Italian Language and Culture track specifically builds Italian language skills

Cost of living in Italy:

• Bologna: €700-900/month (affordable Italian city)
• Milan: €900-1,300/month (most expensive)
• Rome: €800-1,100/month
• Southern cities (Naples, Palermo): €600-800/month

The €10,800 total grant (~€900/month for 12 months) is adequate for modest living in most Italian cities outside Milan, especially combined with the tuition exemption at cooperating universities.

Quick Reference

FAQ

What is the total grant amount?

Grantees receive a total amount of €10,800 disbursed in 3 installments, €4,500 on arrival, €2,500 after enrollment confirmation, and the remainder on satisfactory performance. Language courses receive €3,600.

Who can apply?

All foreign students not currently residing in Italy, and Italian citizens officially residing abroad (IRE). The official portal lists country-specific allocations.

What is the research scholarship age limit?

Applicants for Research Projects under academic supervision should not exceed the age of 40 years by the deadline.

When is the deadline?

Late March annually — 2:00 PM Italian time. The 2026-27 deadline was March 26, 2026.

Where do I apply?

studyinitaly.esteri.it — online only.

Does health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

No, insurance coverage will not apply to events derived from pre-existing physical and pathological conditions.

Free Application Tools

• Motivation Letter: Motivation Letter Generator
• SOP / Study Plan: SOP Generator
• CV: Free CV Builder
• Reference Letter: Reference Letter Generator
• MOI Certificate (if needed): MOI Generator
• Research Proposal (PhD): Research Proposal Generator