Italian Government Scholarships 2027 (MAECI): Fully Funded Study in Italy

Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Full name	Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students (IRE)
Funded by	Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)
Coverage	Monthly allowance + tuition exemption + health insurance
Level	Master’s, PhD, research projects, higher education in arts/music/dance (AFAM), Italian language courses
Monthly allowance	€900/month (standard for recent cycles — verify in the current call)
Duration	9 months (degree programs) or 3 months (Italian language courses)
2026-27 deadline	March 26, 2026 (CLOSED)
Next deadline	~March 2027 (next call) — prepare now

The Italian Government Scholarship (also called the MAECI or IRE scholarship) funds thousands of international students every year to study in Italy — one of Europe’s most affordable and historic destinations for higher education. Awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the scholarship covers a monthly allowance plus full tuition exemption at Italian public universities. The 2026-2027 call closed on March 26, 2026; the next call opens around March 2027 — use the coming months to build the strongest possible application.

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What Does It Cover?

Benefit	Details
Monthly allowance	€900/month for 9 months (verify amount in the current call)
Tuition	Full exemption from tuition fees at Italian public universities
Health insurance	Medical insurance for the scholarship duration
Duration (degree programs)	9 months, from November 1 to July 31 (renewable for multi-year programs)
Duration (language courses)	3 months for intensive Italian language and culture courses
Covered programs	Master’s degrees, PhDs, AFAM (arts/music/dance), research projects in co-tutorship

Scholarships are available for study on Italian territory only. The 9-month award covers the full academic year (November 1 – July 31) and can be renewed for the following year if you’re enrolled in a multi-year program.

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Eligibility

✅ You Must:

• Be a foreign student not residing in Italy, or an Italian citizen living abroad (IRE)

• Come from one of the eligible countries listed in the call (published on the Study in Italy portal)

• Hold the academic qualification required for enrollment in your chosen Italian program

• Meet the age requirements for your program level (set per call — typically under ~30 for Master’s, with higher limits for PhD and research; check the call)

• Meet the language requirements of your chosen program (Italian or English, depending on the program)

❌ Not Eligible If:

• You are already resident in Italy (for standard foreign-student applications)

• Your country is not on the eligible list for the call

• You don’t hold the required academic qualification for the program

• You exceed the age limit set for your program level in the call

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How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Choose Your Program and University

Decide on your Master’s, PhD, or research program at an Italian university or AFAM institution. Check the program’s language of instruction and admission requirements.

Step 2: Wait for the Next Call

The 2027-2028 call is expected to open around March 2027 on the Study in Italy portal (studyinitaly.esteri.it). Watch the portal’s “Calls” section — the call publishes the eligible-country list, age limits, and exact deadline.

Step 3: Register on the Study in Italy Portal

Create an account on the Study in Italy portal — this is the ONLY valid application channel. Applications are submitted exclusively online.

Step 4: Complete Your Application

Fill in the application form, select your program type (Master’s, PhD, research, AFAM, or language course), and upload the required documents, including proof of academic qualifications and language proficiency.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Online applications must be received by 2:00 PM Italian time on the deadline date (March 26 in the 2026-27 call). Late or incomplete applications are not considered.

Step 6: Merit Ranking and Supplementary Documents

If you’re listed in the merit ranking, you’ll be notified to upload supplementary documents (e.g., degree certificates) by a set date (July 1 in the 2026-27 call).

Step 7: Arrival and Enrollment

Successful candidates receive their scholarships and enroll at their Italian institution for the November 1 start.

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Insider Tips

1. Prepare Your Documents Now — Not in March

The 2026-27 call closed with barely a month between publication and deadline. Since the next call arrives around March 2027, prepare transcripts, degree certificates, and language certificates this year so you can apply on day one.

2. Check the Eligible-Country List First

MAECI publishes a specific list of eligible countries per call. Verify your country is included before investing time — the list changes between cycles.

3. Learn Some Italian

While many Master’s programs are taught in English, a basic Italian level (A2-B1) strengthens your application, helps with the language requirement, and makes daily life far easier. Consider the 3-month language scholarship as a pathway.

4. Target Public Universities for Full Tuition Exemption

The tuition exemption applies at Italian public universities. Private institutions may charge fees beyond the scholarship’s coverage — factor that into your choice.

5. Understand the Renewal Rule

The 9-month scholarship renews for multi-year programs if you maintain good academic standing. Plan for a full 2-year Master’s funded across consecutive calls.

6. Pair With Other European Funding

Italy is a great complement to other European routes in our Erasmus Mundus guide and DAAD scholarship guide — apply to several programs across Europe in the same cycle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next MAECI application deadline?

The 2026-2027 call closed March 26, 2026. The next call (2027-2028) is expected to open and close around March 2027 — check the Study in Italy portal for the official announcement.

How much does the Italian government scholarship pay?

The standard monthly allowance is €900/month for 9 months (verify in the current call), plus full tuition exemption and health insurance.

Can I apply for a Master’s taught in English?

Yes — many Italian universities offer English-taught Master’s programs. The scholarship covers any eligible program at an Italian public institution.

Do I need to know Italian?

Language requirements depend on your program. English-taught programs don’t require Italian proficiency, but knowing Italian is a strong advantage for living and studying in Italy.

Is the scholarship renewable?

The 9-month scholarship can be renewed for the following academic year for students enrolled in multi-year degree programs.

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Timeline Table

Phase	Date
2026-27 call deadline	March 26, 2026 (CLOSED)
Supplementary documents (2026-27)	July 1, 2026 (CLOSED)
Next call expected to open	~March 2027
Next call expected deadline	~Late March 2027
Scholarship period	November 1, 2027 – July 31, 2028

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Your Action Plan

1. By October 2026: Shortlist 3-5 Italian programs (Master’s/PhD) and note their admission deadlines — many programs require separate admission applications.

2. By December 2026: Collect certified transcripts, degree certificates, and language certificates.

3. By February 2027: Draft your motivation letter and confirm the eligible-country list.

4. March 2027: Register on the Study in Italy portal and submit on the opening week of the call.

5. July 2027: Upload supplementary documents if ranked; complete university enrollment.

6. November 2027: Begin your funded year in Italy.

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Italy’s government scholarship is one of Europe’s most generous — and the 2027 call is months away. Start preparing now. Share this with someone dreaming of studying in Italy.