Italian Government MAECI Scholarship 2026/2027 (English Medium Accepted — No IELTS)
Posted July 31, 2026
About this opportunity
Opportunity Overview
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) administers one of Europe’s most accessible national funding programs, offering 9,000 EUR per academic year for the 2026/2027 cycle. This initiative channels Italy’s diplomatic and cultural resources into higher education, supporting roughly 900 new grantees annually across Master’s and Doctoral tracks. MAECI operates as the central state apparatus for global engagement, managing bilateral agreements, cultural institutes, and development partnerships across more than 80 countries. Its scholarship portfolio functions as a strategic tool for deepening academic ties, advancing Italian language and research networks, and building durable professional connections between Italy and emerging global talent pools. Italy’s university system provides the operational setting for this award, with 97 state-funded institutions and numerous private academies concentrated in historic urban centers such as Bologna, Milan, Padua, and Turin. The academic calendar runs from September through June, with most programs structured around intensive seminar-based teaching, laboratory research, and thesis defense requirements. Beyond the classroom, Italy’s position at the Mediterranean crossroads offers students direct rail and air access to France, Switzerland, Austria, and the Balkans, making weekend research trips and conference attendance across Europe highly feasible. Regional living costs range from roughly 800 EUR monthly in southern cities like Palermo or Bari to 1,000–1,200 EUR in Milan or Rome, with the stipend covering a substantial portion of these expenses. The program’s distinctive feature lies in its language policy. Applicants who completed their prior degree entirely in English receive an automatic waiver from standardized testing requirements, submitting instead a medium-of-instruction letter from their university registrar. This removes a significant administrative barrier for graduates of English-medium institutions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where IELTS test centers may be distant or costly. For those without English-medium backgrounds, MAECI accepts equivalent proficiency certificates, ensuring the application pool remains genuinely global. Strategic value extends beyond the stipend itself. Grantees join a formal network of MAECI alumni spanning over 60 years, gaining access to embassy events, cultural institute programming, and bilateral trade delegations. The scholarship also serves as a gateway to Italy’s post-study work visa pathways, which permit graduates to remain for up to 12 months while seeking employment. For researchers in engineering, design, conservation science, or agritech, Italy’s industrial districts and EU-funded research clusters offer direct collaboration opportunities with companies like Ferrari, Pirelli, and Technogym, as well as with national research councils.
Key Responsibilities
- Enroll full-time in a recognized Master’s (Laurea Magistrale) or Doctoral (Dottorato di Ricerca) program at an accredited Italian university.
- Maintain a minimum grade threshold consistent with university progression rules, typically requiring successful completion of all first-year examinations.
- Attend mandatory orientation sessions organized by MAECI or the university’s international office during the first month of enrollment.
- Submit quarterly progress reports through the MAECI online portal, documenting academic standing, research milestones, and any changes to enrollment status.
- Participate in at least two cultural or academic events per semester, such as university-hosted international days, embassy receptions, or MAECI-sponsored lectures.
- Serve as an informal cultural ambassador, engaging with local student communities and presenting about your home country’s traditions, research landscape, or development priorities when invited.
- Comply with Italian visa and residence permit regulations, including timely renewal procedures coordinated through the university’s international student office.
- Complete degree requirements within the standard program duration, with extensions granted only for documented medical or family emergencies.
- Notify MAECI immediately of any scholarship transfer, university change, or withdrawal from studies to avoid administrative penalties.
- Contribute to the internationalization metrics of the host department by participating in peer mentoring for incoming international students in subsequent cohorts.
Benefits & Compensation Package
- Direct grant of 9,000 EUR per academic year, disbursed in quarterly installments of 2,250 EUR into an Italian bank account.
- Full exemption from university tuition and enrollment fees at state universities; private institutions may charge reduced fees, which the scholarship does not cover.
- Comprehensive health and medical insurance through the Italian National Health Service (SSN) for the duration of the scholarship period.
- Access to discounted student housing through university residence halls and regional housing agencies, with priority placement for scholarship holders.
- Reimbursement of up to 500 EUR for visa application and pre-departure medical examination costs, processed within the first semester.
- Free access to university libraries, research databases, and cultural institutions, including state museums and archaeological sites.
- Invitation to MAECI networking events, alumni conferences, and career fairs held in Rome, Milan, and Bologna.
Eligibility & Prerequisites
- Hold citizenship of a country outside Italy; Italian citizens residing abroad (IRE) may apply only if they have not held Italian citizenship for more than two consecutive years.
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 180 ECTS or equivalent) for Master’s applications, or a Master’s degree (minimum 120 ECTS) for Doctoral applications.
- Demonstrate a cumulative grade point average equivalent to at least 70% of the maximum scale, or a strong upper-second-class standing.
- Provide proof of English proficiency through a medium-of-instruction letter from the registrar of your degree-granting institution, or an accepted certificate such as TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.0+, or Cambridge C1.
- Be under 28 years of age for Master’s programs and under 32 years for Doctoral programs at the application deadline.
- Not hold any other Italian government-funded scholarship, including regional grants or university fee waivers that exceed 50% of tuition.
- Secure preliminary admission or demonstrate eligibility for admission to the chosen university program; pre-acceptance letters strengthen the application but are not mandatory.
- Submit all documents in English or Italian; certified translations are required for documents issued in other languages.
- Possess a valid passport with at least 18 months of remaining validity at the time of application.
- Meet any program-specific prerequisites, such as portfolio submissions for architecture or design programs, or research proposals for doctoral tracks.
Required Application Documents
- Completed online application form through the MAECI Study in Italy portal, including personal data and program selection.
- Curriculum vitae in Europass format, limited to three pages, highlighting academic achievements, publications, and relevant work experience.
- Motivation letter of 500–800 words explaining your research interests, career objectives, and reasons for choosing Italy.
- Official academic transcripts with grading scales, plus degree certificates or provisional completion letters.
- English proficiency documentation: medium-of-instruction letter on university letterhead, or valid test certificate.
- Copy of passport bio-data page, plus a recent passport-sized photograph with white background.
- For Doctoral applicants: a research proposal of 1,500–2,000 words and one academic reference letter from a supervisor.
How to Apply
- Verify your eligibility by reviewing the MAECI call for applications on the Study in Italy portal, and shortlist three preferred universities and programs that match your academic profile.
- Prepare all required documents, ensuring translations are certified and PDF files are under 5 MB each; request your medium-of-instruction letter and transcripts well in advance of the deadline.
- Complete the online application form, upload all materials, and submit before the annual deadline in early June. Click the Apply button below to submit your application.
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