If you are planning to study in Italy with financial support, the Italian Government Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs at top Italian universities across a wide range of fields. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Italian Government Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The Italian Government Scholarship 2026-2027 is available for international students to pursue a master’s or PhD at top Italian universities. This scholarship covers a total amount of 10,800 euros, a tuition fee waiver, and health insurance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) intends to promote scientific and technological cooperation, international culture, Italian language and culture, and to support Italy’s economic system in the world (according to Law 288/55 and its subsequent changes and additions). Scholarships are offered to undertake study, training, and research programs at Italian higher education institutes, both public and legally recognized.
With 61 vibrant public universities, 30 private universities, 11 public research organizations, groundbreaking university programs, AFAM (Centers for Higher Artistic Education), and 339 courses held in English, Italy will teach you more than Italian.
Scholarship Description
- Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
- Institution: Italian Higher Education Institutes
- Study Destination: Italy
- Offered Courses: It is possible to apply for every course organized by universities recognized by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). The applicant must check with the university to confirm the course’s existence.
- Program Period: The scholarship duration can be three, six, or nine months, depending on the type of course.
The Italian Government Scholarship Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Italian Government Scholarship is 26 March 2026. The call for applications for the next academic year is open now.
Scholarship Coverage
The Italian Government Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- Health and Medical Insurance
Grantees will be covered by 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. - 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. - Financial Grant
Grantees receive a total amount of 10,800 euros, which will be disbursed to the Italian current account in their name in 3 installments.
Eligibility Criteria for Italian Government Scholarship
The following are the eligibility criteria for the Italian Government Scholarship for International Students:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: Students from eligible foreign countries
- Applicants for master’s degrees/higher education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM) programs/Italian language and culture courses should not be over 28 years old by the deadline of this call, with the sole exception of renewals.
- Applications must only be submitted by foreign students not residing in Italy.
- Applicants for PhD programs should not be over 30 years old by the deadline of this call, with the sole exception of renewals.
- Proof of proficiency in Italian is not required for courses entirely taught in English.
- Applicants for research projects under academic supervision should not be over 40 years old by the deadline of this call.
- In this case, applicants must provide a language certificate indicating their proficiency in the English language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Admission to the first year of a master’s degree course in Italy requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree in the applicant’s country of origin; admission to the second year is granted to applicants upon evidence of being on track with their first-year studies.
- For Italian language and culture courses, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in the Italian language. The minimum level required is A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- To be admitted to an Italian AFAM Institute, applicants need to meet the entry requirements and academic qualifications established by the relevant university/institute.
- To be admitted to a PhD in Italy, applicants need to meet the entry requirements and academic qualifications established by the university; they are also required to provide a letter of acceptance on behalf of the relevant Italian university.
- For research under academic supervision, grants can be awarded to research projects carried out at Italian research institutions (i.e., Italian Research Council – CNR, Italian National Institute of Health – ISS, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics – INFN, Italian National Institute for Astrophysics – INAF, and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research – ISPRA) under the academic supervision of public universities or museums and archives.
How to Apply for the Italian Government Scholarship?
Please follow the following application instructions to win the Italian Government Scholarship:
(1) Create an account on this website by clicking here.
(2) Fill out the online application form
(3) The following documents are required:
- CV.
- Score statement.
- Recommendation letter.
- Admission to the university in Italy.
- A letter of no more than 1000 words.
Website
To learn more about the Italian Government Scholarship, please visit the official website:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the stipend really paid monthly, or do people get it in chunks after arriving in Italy?
You don’t receive a steady monthly transfer. For the 9-month grants, the total is €9,000 paid into your Italian bank account in three instalments (arrival/enrolment + attendance check + academic progress check). You only get paid after your presence in Italy and enrolment are confirmed, and you’ll need an Italian tax code and IBAN for payment.
Do I need a university admission/offer letter before I submit the application?
It depends on what you apply for. For PhD you must attach the admission letter, and for research projects you must attach an invitation/admission letter plus your research project and supervisor details. For other tracks, you still must meet the institution’s entry/pre-enrolment requirements, but an admission letter is not universally required at the time you apply.
Can I use this scholarship for a ‘Master Universitario’ (1st/2nd level), a one-year program, or just a single course?
No. These grants are not for ‘Master Universitari’, single courses, or one-year/specialization-style university programs. They also don’t fund private institutions or unrecognized providers, part-time enrolment, or studies beyond the legal duration of the program.
I’m already in Italy (or I will be in Italy during the application period). Am I automatically disqualified?
New applicants are generally expected to be foreign students living abroad (or Italian citizens living abroad). The main exception is renewal applicants, who are not necessarily required to reside abroad.
Can I combine this with DSU/regional scholarships or another Italian public scholarship to make my funding stronger?
No. The grant is incompatible with other grants funded by the Italian Government or other Italian public institutions (including regional right-to-study funding). It can be compatible with Erasmus/Erasmus+ and some international-institution funding, but it won’t be paid during periods of study outside Italy.
If I travel outside Italy during the scholarship (family emergency, conference, visa trip), will they cut my money?
If you are absent from Italy for more than 15 consecutive days, you must notify the relevant office and give a reason. The grant can be reduced proportionally depending on the reason, and payments don’t cover study periods outside Italy.
Does the scholarship waive tuition automatically, or can universities still charge me fees?
Tuition exemption is not guaranteed because it depends on the university. Regional fees are still due. Also, Italian language and culture advanced courses are not covered by tuition exemption, so enrolment/tuition fees for those courses are still payable.
How do renewals work, and what’s the most common reason people lose the scholarship in year 2?
Renewal is only for continuing the same full-time program at the same institution, within the legal duration of the degree. Renewals are prioritised for students who show good progress (commonly measured in university credits), and payment of later instalments can depend on verified attendance and academic progress. Research projects and the Italian language/culture course track are not renewable.