The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) Scholarship, an Italian government-sponsored initiative was created to extend financial support to outstanding students from all over the world. They aim to foster international cooperation in cultural, scientific, and technological fields, to promote the Italian language and culture, and to support Italy’s economic system in the world.
So, if you’re passionate about starting an educational journey in Italy, the MAECI might be one of the keys you need for this progress.
The process for this scholarship can sometimes look daunting especially if you don’t speak Italian, and you are unfamiliar with the necessary procedure for the scholarship. In this guide, we will help you to understand the necessary eligibility, countries eligible to apply, and other requirement you need to meet.
to favor foreign citizens and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE).
Grants are offered to complete study courses and research/training programs in public or legally recognized Italian educational institutions.
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| Eligible Countries | 107 countries are eligible |
| Host Institution | Italian Higher Education Institutes |
| Funding | Partial to fully funded scholarships |
MAECI Scholarships
MAECI provides five different types of scholarships to international students:
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Master’s Degree
- This scholarship is awarded to Master’s students for a period of study of six (6) or nine (9) months. Students must have completed their bachelor’s degree before they can be considered.
For some Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale) courses, enrollment is possible only after passing admission tests. Applicants are advised to verify this or other requirements with the university of their choice. Pre-enrollment through the portal https://www.universitaly.it/ might also be mandatory.
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Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM)
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This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing higher education in arts, music, and dance (AFAM) for a period of study of six (6) or nine (9) months.
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Ph.D. program
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This MAECI Scholarship is awarded for Ph.D. programs, which last for a period of study of six (6) or nine (9) months.
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Research projects under academic supervision (Progetti in co-tutela)
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This scholarship is for research projects under academic supervision and also lasts for a period of study of six (6) or nine (9) months. This type of grant can be awarded to research projects carried out at Italian Research Institutions, public or recognized universities, museums, and archives.
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Italian Language and Culture Advanced Courses
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This scholarship is for Italian language and culture courses and is awarded for three (3) months exclusively to students attending an Italian course at a university or an Italian Cultural Institute.
Please note that the scholarship is not awarded for research projects carried out outside of Italy.
Scholarship Eligibility
To be eligible for the MAECI Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applications must be sent exclusively through the STUDY IN ITALY portal.
- Applicants must have a valid passport or identity card.
- Applicants must upload a legible photocopy of the document at the time of registration, under penalty of exclusion.
Age Requirements
- Master’s Degree/Higher Education: Applicants must have attained the age of majority and shall not exceed the age of 28 years and 364 days by the deadline, with the sole exception of renewals.
- Ph.D. Programmes: Applicants must have attained the age of majority and shall not exceed the age of 30 years and 364 days by the deadline, with the sole exception of renewals.
- Research Projects under academic supervision: Applicants must have attained the age of majority and shall not exceed the age of 40 years and 364 days by the deadline.
Language Requirements
Italian-taught Courses:
Applicants must provide a certification regarding their proficiency in the Italian language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Candidates who were enrolled in an Italian-taught course or an Italian language course at the University may submit a language certification, issued by the person in charge of the above-mentioned courses, certifying the Italian language level required.
English-taught courses:
Applicants must provide a language certification regarding their proficiency in the English Language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
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A self-certification may be accepted for candidates from countries where English is an official language. Candidates in possession of an English-taught Bachelor’s degree may submit a document certifying that the study program of their Bachelor’s degree was entirely held in English.
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No proof of proficiency in Italian is required for courses entirely taught in English.
No proof of language proficiency is required for Ph.D. programs and Research under academic supervision
Eligible Countries for the Italian Government Scholarships
Not all countries are eligible for the MAECI Scholarship, 107 countries are eligible here is the list;
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brasil, Bulgaria, Burkinafaso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Giorgia, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, People’s Republic of China, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailandia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
