Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI)

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers yearly scholarships for foreign students to study in Italy through two main programmes: the Italian Government scholarships, open to citizens of about 146 countries, and Invest Your Talent in Italy, an English-taught master's with an internship at an Italian company.

ForsaEdu has both programmes, each with its own page of criteria, documents and benefits. This guide helps you choose between them and covers what the programme pages do not: how selection works, when the money is paid, and the restrictions many applicants miss.

Which programme fits you?

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar were not on the eligible list for the 2026/2027 Italian Government scholarships. The list is published with each call, and you may apply through one country only, even if you hold more than one nationality.

Italian Government scholarships: how selection works

1. Apply online only on the Study in Italy portal (studyinitaly.esteri.it). The call usually opens in spring; in 2026 it was in March.
2. A committee at the Italian embassy in your country compares applications on academic merit.
3. An interview for shortlisted applicants only.
4. The ranking of winners and reserves is published on the embassy website and cannot be appealed.
5. Upload any missing documents if asked (by 1 July in 2026), then accept the scholarship and sign the award letter.

University admission is separate: you must pre-enrol or apply to the university yourself. PhD applicants must upload a final admission letter; a pre-admission letter is not accepted.

Who cannot apply: anyone with a secondary or university qualification from Italy, and anyone who held a MAECI research grant in the last 5 years. Scholarships are not given for bachelor's degrees, professional masters (Master universitario) or part-time study.

When is the money paid?

The Italian Government scholarship pays €10,800 in 3 instalments into an Italian bank account in your name:

• €5,500 from November, once your presence in Italy and enrolment are confirmed.
• €2,300 from February.
• €3,000 from June, after proof of progress: 27 credits for a master's, or the supervisor's statement for a PhD.

Important: you get the full amount only if you are in Italy by 15 November; after that it is reduced in proportion. Apply early at the embassy for your visa and tax code (codice fiscale).

IYT starts on 1 October and pays quarterly: €4,800, then €3,000 and €3,000.

Invest Your Talent: what is different

• You must have finished your degree before applying; students who have not yet graduated are not eligible. A university letter confirming completion is enough if you do not have the certificate yet.
• First submit a pre-admission application to one course on the IYT list at the Italian university, then apply for the scholarship.
• A video of up to 59 seconds on why you chose Italy and your career goals; filming it in Italian counts in your favour.
• English at B2 with a recognised certificate, or a letter showing your previous degree was taught in English. Italian is not required but raises your score.
• Health insurance, housing and travel are yours to pay, and the waiver does not cover the regional tax and stamp duty.
• The company internship is compulsory to complete the programme. Renewal for the second year needs 30 credits by 20 July.
• In 2026/2027, 1,635 students applied and 203 won a scholarship.

Shared restrictions

• You cannot combine either scholarship with another one from the Italian Government or an Italian public body, including regional grants. IYT also cannot be combined with Erasmus+.
• The scholarship is for study in Italy only. Under the Government scholarships, absences of more than 15 days in a row must be reported.
• The regional right-to-education tax is always payable.

For recommendation letters, read the recommendation letters guide, and for the academic CV, the Europass CV guide.

Common mistakes

• Waiting for the scholarship before applying for university admission, which is a separate application.
• Uploading a PhD pre-admission letter for the Government scholarships.
• Arriving in Italy after 15 November, which cuts the scholarship.
• Applying to IYT before graduating, or for a course not on its list.
• Travelling under IYT without your own health insurance.