Italian Government Bilateral Scholarships (MAECI) 2026-2027

Overview

The Italian Government Bilateral Scholarships come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and are offered each academic year to foreign citizens not resident in Italy and to Italian citizens living abroad (IRE). The aim is to build international cultural, scientific and technological cooperation, to spread Italian language and culture, and to support Italy's presence and economy abroad. For 2026/2027, MAECI is again running a call for study, research and Italian language opportunities at institutions across Italy.

This is one of the better-known routes to government-funded study in Italy. It covers a lot of ground: bachelor's and single-cycle degrees, master's degrees, doctoral research, courses at higher education institutions in arts, music and dance (AFAM), supervised research projects, and Italian language and culture courses. Spanning that many levels and disciplines means it's open to a wide pool of international applicants who want to study, research or improve their Italian.

This guide covers eligibility, the grant's value, how to apply through the Study in Italy portal, the documents you'll need, and how to put together a competitive application. The eligible countries, the exact grant figures and the deadlines are set by the official call each year, so confirm the current details on the MAECI and Study in Italy websites before you apply.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Programme: Italian Government Bilateral Scholarships (MAECI) 2026/2027
• Awarded by: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)
• Host country: Italy
• Who can apply: Foreign citizens not resident in Italy, and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE)
• Levels supported: Bachelor's, single-cycle and master's degrees, PhD, AFAM, supervised research, Italian language and culture courses
• Grant value: 9,000 euros for longer study programmes, usually paid in installments; Italian language and culture courses carry a smaller grant
• Other benefits: Exemption arrangements and, in many cases, health insurance, as set by the call
• Application portal: Study in Italy portal (studyinitaly.esteri.it)
• Deadline: Reported in March 2026 for the 2026/2027 cycle; confirm on the official portal
• Source: Official MAECI scholarships page on esteri.it

Eligibility Criteria

The scholarships are open to two main groups, with the detailed conditions published in the official call and the annual list of eligible countries and territories.

• You must be a foreign citizen not resident in Italy, or an Italian citizen living abroad (IRE).
• You must be a citizen of one of the countries and territories listed as eligible in that year's call.
• You generally need the academic qualifications required for the level you're applying to, such as a relevant prior degree for a master's or doctoral programme.
• Age limits apply and vary by programme type and applicant category, as the call sets out.
• You may need to show the language proficiency your course requires, in Italian or English.
• Eligibility can differ between study scholarships and Italian language and culture course scholarships.

Scholarship Benefits

The programme gives financial support and, depending on the call, extra benefits to help you study and live in Italy.

• Maintenance grant: 9,000 euros for eligible longer study and research programmes, usually paid in installments to a bank account held in Italy.
• Language course grant: A smaller grant for Italian language and culture courses, generally paid in one installment.
• Tuition exemption: Exemption from tuition and enrolment fees may apply, depending on the institution and the terms of the call.
• Health insurance: Medical and accident insurance is provided in many cases, as MAECI specifies.
• Renewal: Scholarships may be renewable for further study, subject to academic progress and the conditions in the call.

The exact amounts, the number of installments, the insurance and any exemptions are all defined by the official call, so check them for the 2026/2027 cycle before you apply.

How to Apply

You apply online only, through the official Study in Italy portal. The process runs like this:

• Read the official call and the list of eligible countries and territories for 2026/2027.
• Register and create an account on the Study in Italy portal at studyinitaly.esteri.it.
• Complete the online application, choosing your study programme, host institution and scholarship period.
• Upload all required documents in the formats the portal asks for.
• Submit before the deadline, which is stated in Italian time.
• Follow any further instructions from the relevant Italian diplomatic mission or the host institution during selection.

Only online applications submitted through the official portal within the deadline count, so don't rely on email or paper.

Required Documents

The exact list comes from the official call, but applicants are usually asked for:

• A valid passport or recognised ID.
• Academic qualifications and transcripts for the level you're applying to.
• A CV covering your education and any relevant experience.
• A study or research project description, where the programme requires one.
• A letter of acceptance or contact with a host institution or supervisor, if requested.
• Proof of language proficiency in Italian or English, as applicable.
• Any other documents named for your applicant category in the call.

If your documents aren't in Italian or English, have the certified translations or legalisations ready, since those can take a while to arrange.

Important Dates & Deadlines

The cycle is annual. The call usually comes out early in the year and applications close in spring for study the following academic year. For 2026/2027, the deadline has been reported in March 2026.

• Call published: Early in the year on the MAECI and Study in Italy sites.
• Application deadline: Reported in March 2026 for the 2026/2027 cycle; confirm the exact date and time (Italian time) on the official portal.
• Selection results: Sent after the deadline by MAECI and the institutions.
• Programme start: 2026/2027 academic year.

Deadlines are strict and stated in Italian time, so apply early and double-check the current date on the official portal.

Tips for a Strong Application

A clear, complete, well-targeted application gives you the best shot in a competitive round.

• Read the call carefully and apply only for programmes and categories you're actually eligible for.
• Make your study or research project specific, realistic, and matched to your chosen institution's strengths.
• Explain why studying in Italy fits your academic and professional goals.
• Prepare and check all documents, translations and language certificates well ahead of the deadline.
• Confirm every uploaded file meets the portal's format rules.
• Submit early so a last-minute portal problem doesn't sink you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who awards these scholarships?

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), to foreign citizens not resident in Italy and to Italian citizens living abroad (IRE).

Q: What levels of study are supported?

Bachelor's, single-cycle and master's degrees, PhD programmes, AFAM courses in arts, music and dance, supervised research, and Italian language and culture courses.

Q: How much is the grant?

Usually 9,000 euros for eligible longer study and research programmes, with a smaller grant for Italian language and culture courses. Confirm the exact figures in the official call.

Q: Does it include health insurance?

In many cases, yes. Medical and accident cover is provided as MAECI specifies in the relevant call.

Q: Where do I apply?

Online only, through the Study in Italy portal at studyinitaly.esteri.it.

Q: Can the scholarship be renewed?

It may be, for further periods, subject to academic progress and the conditions in the call.

Related Scholarships

If funded study in Italy interests you, these are worth a look alongside the MAECI bilateral scholarships.

• Invest Your Talent in Italy, the MAECI, ICE and Uni-Italia programme that pairs a master's degree with a company internship.
• Regional right-to-study (DSU) scholarships offered by Italian regions.
• University-specific merit scholarships and tuition fee waivers at Italian universities.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships for study across European universities.