Italy Government MAECI Scholarship 2027/2028: Full Guide

What is the Italy Government MAECI Scholarship?

The MAECI Scholarship is the official scholarship offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It supports foreign students and Italian citizens living abroad who want to study, train or carry out research in Italy. For international students, it is one of the most important official routes to study in Italy with financial support. The scholarship is especially relevant for students applying to master's degrees, PhD programmes, higher education in arts, music and dance, research projects under academic supervision, and Italian language and culture courses. It is not the same as the DSU regional scholarship, and it is not automatically available for every university or every nationality. Applicants must check the official call and the list of eligible countries for the year they are applying. For 2027/2028 applicants, the exact call may not yet be published. The latest official 2026/2027 call had a deadline of 26 March 2026 at 14:00 Italian time, and applications had to be submitted through the Study in Italy portal. This article uses the latest official information to help students prepare early while reminding applicants to confirm the final 2027/2028 call when it is released.

What does the MAECI Scholarship cover?

The 2026/2027 information published by Italian universities summarising the MAECI call states that the grant provides 10,800 euros, usually paid in quarterly instalments. Older MAECI information describes this as 900 euros per month. For many programmes, the scholarship duration is 9 months, while Italian language and culture courses may have a shorter duration. The scholarship can also include tuition fee exemption, depending on the university and programme. However, students may still need to pay regional taxes, stamp duty or administrative charges. For example, Italian universities commonly mention the regional tax and stamp duty as costs that may remain even when tuition is exempt. Students should not assume that MAECI alone covers every cost in Italy. Rent, transport, food, health insurance, residence permit costs and document legalisation can vary by city. Milan, Rome, Bologna and Florence are usually more expensive than smaller cities. A good application strategy includes checking both the scholarship amount and the real cost of living in the selected city.

Eligible programmes under MAECI

The MAECI Scholarship usually supports several types of study. These can include master's degrees, AFAM programmes in arts, music and dance, PhD programmes, research projects under academic supervision, and advanced Italian language and culture courses. Bachelor’s degrees are generally not the main target of the MAECI scholarship. Applicants should confirm the exact eligible programme types in the official call. If you are applying to a master's degree, make sure the degree is recognised, suitable for international students and compatible with your academic background. If you are applying for a PhD, you may need proof of admission or a letter from the university. If you are applying for research, you may need a supervisor and a clear project plan.

Who can apply?

Eligibility depends on nationality, academic qualifications, age rules, language requirements and programme type. The scholarship is open only to applicants from countries listed in the relevant call. Applicants must usually hold the academic qualification required for admission to the Italian programme. For master's study, this normally means a recognised bachelor’s degree. For PhD study, it means meeting doctoral admission requirements. Language requirements depend on the course. If the degree is taught in English, an English certificate may be required. If the course is taught in Italian, applicants may need Italian language proof. Some Italian language and culture scholarships are designed specifically to improve Italian language ability, but the rules must be checked in the yearly call.

MAECI Scholarship 2027/2028 deadline

The 2027/2028 deadline should be confirmed only through the official MAECI call and Study in Italy portal. As a planning reference, the 2026/2027 deadline was 26 March 2026 at 14:00 Italian time. That is relatively early compared with many university deadlines, so students should begin preparation months in advance. A realistic timeline is to research programmes in late 2026, check whether your country is eligible as soon as the call opens, prepare documents immediately, and submit before the deadline instead of waiting for the final day. The portal can become busy near the deadline, and last-minute applicants risk technical problems or missing documents.

How to apply through the Study in Italy portal

Applications are submitted online through the official Study in Italy portal. The call states that applications must be submitted exclusively online and that only portal applications are valid. Students should create an account, select the correct call, fill in personal and academic information, upload required documents and submit before the deadline. Do not send documents only by email to an embassy unless the official call specifically requests additional steps. The portal submission is the central requirement. Some documents may be requested later, such as supplementary admission documents or language certificates, depending on the programme and the call rules.

Documents to prepare

Applicants should prepare a passport, CV, academic transcripts, degree certificate, proof of admission or pre-admission when required, language certificate, motivation letter and any programme-specific document. PhD applicants may need an admission letter or supervisor confirmation. Research applicants may need a research project and academic supervision letter. For many international students, the biggest challenge is not writing the motivation letter but preparing official documents. Translations, legalisations, university stamps and apostilles can take time. Start early, especially if your country requires embassy or ministry legalisation.

How to write a strong MAECI motivation letter

A strong MAECI motivation letter should explain why Italy is the right study destination, why the selected programme fits your background and how the scholarship supports your future contribution. Do not write a generic letter saying Italy has good culture and history. Instead, connect the programme to your academic and professional plan. For example, an engineering applicant can discuss Italy’s strengths in infrastructure, energy, design, environmental engineering or manufacturing. A public policy applicant can connect Italy to international cooperation, governance, migration, Mediterranean policy or development. An arts applicant can show how Italy’s institutions are directly relevant to their discipline.

MAECI versus DSU: which is better?

MAECI is a national government scholarship. DSU is a regional right-to-study scholarship based mainly on income and merit. Some students apply for both routes, but compatibility rules and double-funding restrictions must be checked carefully. MAECI can be prestigious and direct, while DSU can sometimes be more practical for low-income students because it may include accommodation, meals and tuition exemption depending on the region. If you are eligible for MAECI, it is worth applying. If you are also applying to Italian universities, you should also study DSU options in the region where your university is located.

FAQ: Italy Government MAECI Scholarship 2027/2028

Is MAECI fully funded?

It provides a monthly grant and may include tuition exemption, but students should budget for housing, local costs, taxes and visa-related expenses.

Can I apply before university admission?

This depends on the programme and call. Some documents can be submitted later, but students should read the official call carefully.

Is every country eligible?

No. Eligible countries are listed in the yearly call.

Is the deadline always in March?

Not guaranteed. The 2026/2027 deadline was 26 March 2026, but 2027/2028 applicants must confirm the new official deadline.

Need help applying?

If you want support choosing Italian universities, checking MAECI eligibility, preparing your Study in Italy application, writing your motivation letter or comparing MAECI with DSU, we can help you build a strong application plan.

Official sources used

• MAECI Study in Italy portal: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/
• Official MAECI 2026/2027 call PDF: https://www.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Bando-26-27-ENG.pdf
• University of Pisa MAECI summary: https://www.unipi.it/index.php/international/item/30846-maeci-scholarships