Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students 2026/2027

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) provides grants for the 2026-2027 academic year. These grants are for foreign citizens who do not live in Italy and for Italian citizens residing abroad (IRE). The aim is to encourage international cooperation in culture, science, and technology, to spread Italian language and culture, and to support Italy's economy worldwide, under Law 288/55 and its updates.

The grants support study, training, or research at Italian higher education institutions, both public and legally recognized.

• Host: Italian Higher Education Institutes
• Level: Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, research, and language courses
• Study destination: Italy
• Deadline: 26 March 2026 at 2 pm CET
• Awards: Not specified
• Coverage: Tuition fee exemption (varies), health and medical insurance, and a financial grant
• Duration: 3-9 months depending on course type

Italian Higher Education Institutes

Bachelor's Degree (Laurea Triennale, 1° ciclo) or Single Cycle Degree (Laurea magistrale a ciclo unico) programmes; Master's Degree (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo) Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM); PhD program; Research under academic supervision (Progetti in co-tutela); and Italian Language and Culture Courses

Foreign citizens from eligible foreign countries and Italians citizens living abroad (IRE) in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uruguay and Venezuela

Tuition Fees
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.

Health and Medical Insurance
Grantees will be covered by a 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.

Financial Grant
The grant amounts to 9,000 euros, paid in three separate installments to the personal current account, opened in his/her name, with an Italian banking institution. For Italian language and culture courses, the the grant is 3,000 euros paid in a single installment.

The scholarship duration can be 3-9 months depending on the type of course. Renewals are granted only to applicants who prove satisfactory academic progress.

Academic qualifications
Applications must only be submitted by foreign students not residing in Italy and by Italian citizens living abroad (IRE)* holding an appropriate academic qualification required to enroll to the Italian University/Institute. See this link for more information.

Age limits
Applicants for Master's Degree programmes, Higher Education for Fine Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM) programmes or Italian Language and Culture advanced courses must be of age and shall not exceed the age of 28 by the deadline of this Call (born after 16 May 1996), with the sole exception of renewals.

Applicants for PhD programmes must be of age and shall not exceed the age of 30 by the deadline of this Call (born after 16 May 1994), with the sole exception of renewals.

Applicants for Research projects under academic supervision must be of age and shall not exceed the age of 40 by the deadline of this Call (born after 16 May 1984).

Applicants for Bachelor's Degree (Laurea Triennale, 1° ciclo) or Single Cycle Degree (Laurea magistrale a ciclo unico) programmes must be of age by the deadline of this Call and shall not exceed the age of 23 (born after 16 May 2002).

Language skills and proficiency
In order to enroll in an Italian-taught course, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Candidates who were enrolled in an Italian-taught course at the University may submit a language certification issued by a language teacher of the University department.

In order to enroll in an English-taught course, applicants must provide a language certificate of their proficiency in English Language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A self-certification may be accepted for candidates from countries where English is an official language and who are applying for courses held entirely in English. Proof of proficiency in Italian is not required for courses entirely taught in English.

For Italian language and culture courses, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language. The minimum level required is A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

For PhD programs and Research projects under academic supervision, no proof of language proficiency is required for PhD programs and Research under academic supervision.

Applications are currently closed.

Applicants must complete and submit the online application form available upon registration at the official website. Applications must be submitted by 2 pm (Central European Time), 26 March 2026.

It is important the read the 2026/2027 Call for Applications and visit the official website to access the online application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

• Who can apply for the Italian Government Scholarships? Foreign citizens not residing in Italy and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) from the eligible countries listed in the call. You must hold the academic qualification required for the Italian university or institute you plan to attend.
• What does the scholarship cover? It provides a financial grant of 9,000 euros paid in three installments (or 3,000 euros for Italian language and culture courses), health and medical/accident insurance, and possible tuition fee exemption depending on the university's policy.
• When is the application deadline? Applications must be submitted by 2 pm Central European Time on 26 March 2026. The call for the 2026/2027 academic year is currently closed.
• How do I apply? Register on the official website and complete the online application form. Read the 2026/2027 Call for Applications for full instructions.
• Are there age limits? Yes. For Master's, AFAM, and advanced Italian language courses, you must be no older than 28 by the deadline (born after 16 May 1996). For PhD programmes, the limit is 30 (born after 16 May 1994). For research projects, 40 (born after 16 May 1984). For Bachelor's or single cycle degrees, 23 (born after 16 May 2002).
• What language level do I need? For Italian-taught courses, B2 in Italian. For English-taught courses, B2 in English. For Italian language and culture courses, A2 in Italian. PhD and research applicants do not need to prove language proficiency.

• Read the official Call for Applications carefully before you start your application.
• Prepare your academic documents and language certificates early, as they may take time to obtain.
• Check the specific admission requirements of the Italian university or institute you plan to attend.
• Make sure your language certificate meets the required CEFR level for your chosen course.
• Submit your application well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.