Blog

Italian Government Scholarships 2025–2026 (MAECI Scholarships); April 29, 2025

.

.

.

.

 

Introduction

 

The Italian Government is giving out full scholarships to international students and Italians living abroad for the academic year 2025–2026.
If you dream of studying in Italy — for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or even short Italian language courses — this is a golden opportunity!

 

Host Country

Italy — and you must physically attend classes there (no online courses).

 

Host Universities

• Public universities
• AFAM institutes (Art, Music, Dance schools)
• Research centers like CNR, INFN, INAF
• Recognized museums and archives

(Only institutions officially listed on Study in Italy are eligible.)

 

Duration of the Scholarship

 

Program	Duration	Renewable?
Master’s Degree	9 months	Yes
AFAM (Arts/Music)	9 months	Yes
PhD	9 months	Yes
Research projects	9 months	No (but you can reapply with a new project)
Bachelor’s/Single-cycle degrees*	9 months	Yes
Italian language & culture course	3 months	No

 

 

Scholarships Offered By

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

Scholarship Coverage

• €9,000 total (paid in 3 parts during the year for full programs).
• €3,000 total for the short Italian language and culture courses.
• Health insurance for medical emergencies during your stay.
• Tuition exemption at many public universities (you might still need to pay small regional fees).

Special awards also exist for:

• Students from Morocco, Nigeria, and DR Congo studying peace or development studies.
• Students attending Italian schools in Africa enrolling in high-demand fields like engineering, economics, medicine, or agriculture.

Degree Levels You Can Apply For

• Bachelor’s degree (Laurea Triennale)
• Single-cycle Master’s (Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico)
• Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale)
• AFAM courses (Arts, Music, Dance)
• PhD programs
• Research projects
• Italian language and culture advanced courses

 

Programs Are Taught in Italian or English

Not all programs are in Italian. You can choose programs taught entirely in English at many universities.

Here’s what you need to know:

• If you apply for an Italian-taught program, you need at least B2 level Italian.
• If you apply for an English-taught program, you need B2 level English — no Italian needed!
• For PhD and research projects, language certificates are usually not required, but your supervisor may set specific requirements.

Tip: Always check with your university for any extra language rules.

 

Benefits at a Glance

Benefit	What You Get
Money Support	About €1,000/month, starting with €4,500 when you arrive
Health Coverage	Full health insurance for emergencies
Tuition Support	Many universities will exempt you from tuition fees
Career Boost	Access to MAECI alumni, Italian research hubs & WikiAfrica initiative
Cultural Experience	Live and study in Italy with students from around the world

Fields of Study You Can Choose

Almost any major you want — including:

• Engineering, Technology, Sciences
• Arts, Music, and Dance
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Medicine, Agriculture, Business
• Italian Language & Culture

Special preference for peace, development, and humanitarian fields under the Attanasio Grants.

 

Who Is Eligible?

• Foreign citizens living abroad OR Italian citizens living abroad.
• Age limits depending on your program:
  • Master’s/AFAM/Language courses: ≤28 years (born after May 16, 1996)
  • PhD: ≤30 years (born after May 16, 1994)
  • Research: ≤40 years (born after May 16, 1984)
  • Bachelor’s: ≤23 years (born after May 16, 2002)
• Right education level (Bachelor’s, high school diploma, etc.).
• Required language skills (Italian or English based on your program).
• Not employed by Italian Public Administration.

 

How to Apply

1. Register on the official website: Study in Italy.
2. Fill out the application form carefully and upload your documents (passport, certificates, language proof, etc.).
3. Submit your application online before the deadline.
4. Wait for the results — if you win, you’ll receive an official “Awarding Letter.”
5. Apply for a visa if needed and get ready to study in Italy!

 

Note: Although not always required for application, securing an offer of admission or enrolling at an eligible Italian institution is strongly recommended — especially for PhD and research projects, where admission letters are usually required. This shows you’re ready to begin your studies and can boost your chances of being selected.

 

Application Deadline

May 16, 2025, at 14:00 (Italian time).
No late applications are accepted — apply early to avoid website traffic!

 

Learn More About The Scholarship

.

Apply now at StudyinItaly.esteri.it