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Phd / Italy Universities

Italian Government (MAECI) Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Scholarship
Italy
On-site
Published Mar 16, 2026

Overview

The MAECI scholarship covers a wide range of academic paths:

Master’s Degrees (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo): Courses lasting 6 or 9 months.

Description

The MAECI scholarship covers a wide range of academic paths:

Master’s Degrees (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo): Courses lasting 6 or 9 months.

Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM): For talented individuals in creative fields like opera, painting, or design.

PhD Programs: Support for doctoral research at recognized Italian universities.

Research Projects (Progetti in co-tutela): For research conducted under academic supervision.

Italian Language and Culture Courses: Short-term grants (3 months) for students wanting to master the language.

Eligibility

To be considered, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Academic Qualification: Must hold a degree that allows enrollment in the chosen Italian course (e.g., a Bachelor's degree is required for a Master's).

Age Limits:

Master’s/AFAM/Language Courses: Maximum 28 years old.
PhD Programs: Maximum 30 years old.
Research Projects: Maximum 40 years old.
Language Proficiency: * For Italian-taught courses: B2 level certificate (CEFR).
For English-taught courses: B2 level certificate (CEFR). No Italian is required for English-only programs.

Additional Information

Degree Level

The MAECI scholarship covers a wide range of academic paths:

Master’s Degrees (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo): Courses lasting 6 or 9 months.
Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM): For talented individuals in creative fields like opera, painting, or design.
PhD Programs: Support for doctoral research at recognized Italian universities.
Research Projects (Progetti in co-tutela): For research conducted under academic supervision.
Italian Language and Culture Courses: Short-term grants (3 months) for students wanting to master the language.

Available Subjects

Applicants can generally apply for any course organized by universities or institutes recognized by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). Popular fields include:

Engineering and Architecture
Economics and Management
International Relations
Humanities and Fine Arts
Science and Technology

Benefits

The MAECI grant is designed to provide a supportive experience for international students:

Monthly Stipend: A grant of €900 per month (usually paid quarterly) to cover living costs.
Tuition Fee Waiver: Many universities offer full or partial exemptions for MAECI scholars, though some small regional taxes may still apply.
Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical and accident insurance coverage for the duration of the grant.

Eligible Nationalities

The scholarship is open to:

Foreign citizens from eligible countries (a list of over 100 countries including India, Pakistan, Egypt, Brazil, and Ghana is updated annually).
Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) for specific countries.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Academic Qualification: Must hold a degree that allows enrollment in the chosen Italian course (e.g., a Bachelor's degree is required for a Master's).

Age Limits:

Master’s/AFAM/Language Courses: Maximum 28 years old.
PhD Programs: Maximum 30 years old.
Research Projects: Maximum 40 years old.
Language Proficiency: * For Italian-taught courses: B2 level certificate (CEFR).
For English-taught courses: B2 level certificate (CEFR). No Italian is required for English-only programs.

Application Procedure

The application window typically opens in the spring. Follow these general steps:

Register: Create an account on the official Study in Italy website .
Select Your Course: Choose up to three university programs that align with your background.
Upload Documents: You will typically need a valid passport, CV, transcripts, and language certificates.
Submit: Applications usually open between April and May each year, with a deadline in mid-June.

Official Portal

The Italian government manages all applications through the official Study in Italy portal . Prospective students should check this government-run platform annually for the most up-to-date call for applications.

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

Can I apply for the MAECI scholarship if I haven't been accepted by a university yet? Yes, you can apply for the scholarship before having a formal admission letter. However, the grant is only finalized once you successfully enroll in the Italian institution.
Is the MAECI scholarship renewable? Yes. If you are enrolled in a multi-year course (like a 2-year Master's), you can apply for a renewal for the second year provided you show satisfactory academic progress and meet the credit requirements.
Does the scholarship cover the flight tickets to Italy? No, the MAECI scholarship generally does not cover international travel expenses. The stipend is intended for living costs and insurance once you arrive in Italy.

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Funding

Fully Funded, Partial Funding

Organization

Italy Universities

Degree

Masters, PhD, Bachelor, Post Doctorate

Subjects

All Subjects

Nationality

International Students

Country

Italy

Source

Information provided by scholarships_ads.

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