Italian Government Scholarship 2027 | Application Process

Q: How is the 9-month MAECI grant paid (installments and timing)?

In recent calls, the 9-month grant is paid in 3 installments to your Italian bank account (in your name): (1) first installment starts around November after your presence in Italy + enrollment are verified, (2) second starts around February after attendance is verified, (3) final starts around June after academic progress is confirmed. Exact amounts/timing can vary slightly by year, so always follow the current call and the Study in Italy FAQ.

Q: Do I need to be physically in Italy to receive the stipend?

Yes. The grant is paid only for the periods you actually spend in Italy. Periods of study or stay abroad are not covered, and payments can be reduced/stopped if you are not in Italy during the funded period.

Q: Can I receive the grant if I am part-time or “fuori corso” (late beyond the legal duration)?

No. Payment is made only if you are regularly enrolled full-time (not part-time and not “fuori corso”) in the university and programme listed in your Awarding Letter (Dichiarazione di Assegnazione).

Q: How is academic progress checked for PhD or research projects?

For PhD programmes and research under academic supervision, progress is typically verified through an official statement/evaluation from your tutor/supervisor (rather than CFU credits).

Q: Can I do Erasmus/exchange, a thesis period abroad, or any study outside Italy during the scholarship?

You should assume your MAECI grant is intended for study in Italy. Even where mobility programmes are allowed, the grant is not paid for periods spent outside Italy. Plan your mobility only after confirming your university and MAECI rules for your intake.

Q: Can I combine the MAECI scholarship with other scholarships or funding?

MAECI grants are generally incompatible with other grants from the Italian Government or other Italian public institutions (including many regional “right to study” scholarships). Some international/private funding can be compatible, but you must follow the current call’s incompatibility rules and declare funding when required.

February 26, 2026February 18, 2026 by Muhammad Faizan

The Italian Government Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for international students who wish to study in Italy. This fully funded scholarship is available for master’s and PhD programmes. The Italian Government Scholarship 2027 covers monthly payments of 900 euros, tuition fees, and medical insurance. In this article, we provide a complete guide to the Italian Government Scholarship, including scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, required documents, application deadlines, and a detailed step-by-step application process.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) intends to promote scientific and technological cooperation, international culture, Italian language and culture, and to support Italy’s economic system in the world (according to Law 288/55 and its subsequent changes and additions). Scholarships are offered to undertake study, training, and/or research programmes at Italian higher education institutes, both public and legally recognised.

With 61 vibrant public universities, 30 private universities, 11 public research organisations, groundbreaking university programmes, AFAM (Centres for Higher Artistic Education), and 339 courses held in English, Italy will teach you more than Italian.

Italian Government Scholarship Highlights

Degree Programmes	Master’s / PhD
Scholarship Provider	Italian Higher Education Institutes
Study Destination	Italy
Fields of Study	All degree programmes are available
Programme Duration	Master’s: 2 years; PhD: 4 years
Funding	Fully Funded

Italian Government Scholarship Benefits

The Italian Government Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:

Health and Medical 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.
Tuition Fees: Grantees may be exempted from the payment of enrolment and tuition fees depending on the policy of each university. Exemption is not granted for courses in Italian language and culture, for which enrolment fees are due.
Financial Grant: Grantees will receive a 900 Euros monthly allowance every quarter, which will be paid into their Italian bank account.

Eligibility Requirements for the Italian Government Scholarship 2027

The following are the minimum eligibility requirements for the Italian Government Scholarship:

Students from these eligible foreign countries can apply for this scholarship
Applicants for master’s degrees/higher education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM) programmes/Italian language and culture courses should not be over 28 years old by the deadline of this call, with the sole exception of renewals.
Applications must only be submitted by foreign students not residing in Italy.
Applicants for PhD programmes should not be over 30 years old by the deadline of this call, with the sole exception of renewals.
Proof of proficiency in Italian is not required for courses entirely taught in English.
Applicants for research projects under academic supervision should not be over 40 years old by the deadline of this call.
In this case, applicants must provide a language certificate of their proficiency in the English language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Admission to the first year of a master’s degree course in Italy requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree in the applicant’s country of origin; admission to the second year is granted to applicants upon evidence that they are on track with their first-year studies.
For Italian language and culture courses, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian. The minimum level required is A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
To be admitted to an Italian AFAM Institute, applicants need to meet the entry requirements and academic qualifications established by the relevant university/institute.
To be admitted to a PhD in Italy, applicants need to meet the entry requirements and academic qualifications established by the university; they are also required to provide a letter of acceptance on behalf of the relevant Italian university.
For research under academic supervision, grants can be awarded to research projects carried out at Italian research institutions (i.e., Italian Research Council—CNR, Italian National Institute of Health—ISS, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics—INFN, Italian National Institute for Astrophysics—INAF, Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research—ISPRA) under the academic supervision of public universities or museums and archives.

Step-by-Step Application Process for the Italian Government Scholarship 2026

The following simple and easy application process will help you to apply for the Italian Government Scholarship:

Step 1: Create an account on this website by clicking here.

Step 2: Fill out the online application form

Step 3: The following documents are required:

CV.
Score statement.
Recommendation letter.
Admission to the university in Italy.
A letter of no more than 1000 words.

Italian Government Scholarship Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Italian Government Scholarship 2027 is 16 May 2026.

For further information about the Commonwealth Scholarship and the application process, please visit the official websites:

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the 9-month MAECI grant paid (installments and timing)?

In recent calls, the 9-month grant is paid in 3 installments to your Italian bank account (in your name): (1) first installment starts around November after your presence in Italy + enrollment are verified, (2) second starts around February after attendance is verified, (3) final starts around June after academic progress is confirmed. Exact amounts/timing can vary slightly by year, so always follow the current call and the Study in Italy FAQ.

Do I need to be physically in Italy to receive the stipend?

Yes. The grant is paid only for the periods you actually spend in Italy. Periods of study or stay abroad are not covered, and payments can be reduced/stopped if you are not in Italy during the funded period.

Can I receive the grant if I am part-time or “fuori corso” (late beyond the legal duration)?

No. Payment is made only if you are regularly enrolled full-time (not part-time and not “fuori corso”) in the university and programme listed in your Awarding Letter (Dichiarazione di Assegnazione).

What does “satisfactory academic progress” mean for Master’s students?

For degree programmes (including Master’s), the final installment typically requires proof of satisfactory progress. In recent guidance, this is commonly verified by earning 25 CFU (university credits) for the year (as shown in the Study in Italy FAQ for recent calls).

How is academic progress checked for PhD or research projects?

For PhD programmes and research under academic supervision, progress is typically verified through an official statement/evaluation from your tutor/supervisor (rather than CFU credits).

Can I do Erasmus/exchange, a thesis period abroad, or any study outside Italy during the scholarship?

You should assume your MAECI grant is intended for study in Italy. Even where mobility programmes are allowed, the grant is not paid for periods spent outside Italy. Plan your mobility only after confirming your university and MAECI rules for your intake.

Can I change my university or degree programme after getting the award?

Usually no. The stipend is paid only if you remain enrolled in the same university and course stated in the Awarding Letter. If you change the institution/programme, your payments may be stopped because the required certification is tied to the awarded course.

Even if tuition is waived, are there any fees I still have to pay?

Often yes. Many Italian universities still require mandatory charges such as the regional tax and a stamp duty (amounts vary by university/year). Always check your university’s fee statement after admission.

Can I combine the MAECI scholarship with other scholarships or funding?

MAECI grants are generally incompatible with other grants from the Italian Government or other Italian public institutions (including many regional “right to study” scholarships). Some international/private funding can be compatible, but you must follow the current call’s incompatibility rules and declare funding when required.

What are the official grant dates (when does funding start and end)?

For the 9-month grant, recent official guidance sets the funded study period from November 1 (year of the call) to July 31 (following year). Shorter grants (e.g., Italian language & culture) follow a different window set in the call/FAQ.

Can I renew the scholarship for the next academic year (for multi-year degrees)?

Yes, renewals can be possible for eligible multi-year programmes if you were a MAECI scholar in the previous academic year and you continue the same programme within the legal duration. Renewals are not automatic—you submit a new application as a “renewal” in the portal, and priority is generally given to students who show good progress (e.g., in recent calls, at least 15 CFU for taught programmes; PhD requires a positive tutor evaluation).

If I finish my degree early, do I still receive the remaining stipend?

No. After you obtain the degree or your studies formally end, you are no longer entitled to further grant disbursement for remaining months.

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