1. Overview
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) of Italy offers fully funded scholarships to both international students and Italian citizens residing abroad (IRE). These scholarships support a wide range of academic and cultural pursuits in Italy, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs, as well as research projects and Italian language or culture courses. The scheme aims to promote international cooperation, the Italian language and cultural heritage, and support Italy’s global economic and educational influence.
2. Key Benefits
The scholarship gives out extensive financial and academic aid:
– A monthly stipend of €900 for students enrolled in Master’s, PhD, and AFAM (arts/music) programs.
– A total grant of €9,000 for a standard 9-month program, distributed in three installments:
– €4,500 after enrollment is confirmed,
– €2,500 midway through the program, contingent on attendance,
– €2,000 as a final installment, based on academic progress (e.g., earning at least 25 CFU credits).
– A lump sum of €3,000 for students enrolled in 3-month Italian language or culture courses.
– Tuition fee exemptions for degree programs (note: minor taxes such as a €140 regional tax may still apply).
– Full health and accident insurance coverage during the scholarship period.
– Renewal options are available for multi-year programs based on satisfactory academic performance.
3. Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the MAECI scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:
– Be a citizen of one of 141 eligible countries, or an Italian citizen residing abroad.
– Not be residing in Italy at the time of application.
– Meet the age requirements:
– Under 23 years for Bachelor’s/Single Cycle Degree programs,
– Under 28 years for Master’s, AFAM, and language courses,
– Under 30 years for PhD programs,
– Under 40 years for research projects.
– Hold the appropriate academic qualifications:
– Bachelor’s degree for Master’s program applicants,
– Master’s degree for PhD applicants.
– Demonstrate language proficiency:
– B2 level English for English-taught programs or B2 Italian for Italian-taught programs.
– Native English speakers may be exempt from the English certification requirement.
4. Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the official Study in Italy portal. Admission to a university is not required at the time of application—except for PhD applicants, who must submit a formal letter of admission from an Italian university.
Required documentation includes:
– Curriculum Vitae (CV),
– Academic transcripts and diplomas,
– Language certificates,
– Letters of recommendation,
– Research proposal (for PhD and research projects).
The application deadline falls between May 15 and 16, 2025, depending on the source.
5. Payment Conditions
The monthly allowance of €900 for degree programs is paid quarterly into an Italian bank account. Payments begin after enrollment and submission of all required documents, including bank details. The final installment is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance—typically evidenced by earning at least 25 CFU credits. Scholarship recipients must reside in Italy during the funding period.
6. Key Features & Notes
The scholarship is valid at all public or officially recognized Italian universities and AFAM institutes, such as the University of Bologna. Special funding allocations exist for students from Nigeria, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in fields related to Development Cooperation and Human Rights. Importantly, this scholarship cannot be combined with other Italian government financial aid (e.g., DSU scholarships). The duration of support typically spans 6–9 months for degree programs and 3 months for language courses.
7. Important Deadlines
Applications must be submitted by May 15–16, 2025. Scholarships generally begin on November 1, 2025, for most academic programs, and January 1, 2026, for language and culture courses.
8. Clarifications on Funding
Though the total grant for a 9-month program is €9,000—averaging €1,000 per month—official documentation lists the stipend as €900/month. This discrepancy is likely due to administrative rounding or internal budget structuring. Applicants should always verify the latest payment terms on the official scholarship portal.
