The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Eligibility, Deadline & How to Apply

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers grants in favour of foreign citizens living abroad and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) for the 2025-2026 academic year, in order 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 (According to the Italian law 288/55 and its subsequent changes and additions).

Grants are available for attending academic courses in Italy only.

Grants for Master’s Degree programmes are awarded for a period of study of 9 (nine) months and are potentially renewable. 

To enroll in the first year of a Master’s Degree programme (Laurea Magistrale – 2° ciclo) in Italy, applicants must have completed a 1st cycle programme, equivalent to an Italian Bachelor's Degree (Laurea triennale).

• The winner of a MAECI grant mentioned in points 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.6 of this Call will receive a total amount of 9,000 (nine thousand) euros, which will be disbursed to the Italian bank account in their name in three installments:
  
  
• The first installment of 4,500 euros, intended to support grantees during their arrival and settlement phase in Italy, will be paid starting from November 2025 upon verification of the grantee's presence on the Italian territory and confirmation of their enrollment, which will be certified to MAECI directly by the chosen institution. 
• The second installment of 2,500 euros will be paid starting from February 2026 upon verification of attendance, which will be certified to MAECI directly by the chosen institution. 
• The third and final installment of 2,000 euros will be paid starting from June 2026 upon confirmation of a satisfactory academic progress through a university certificate stating the exams taken or through a statement by the chosen institution.

Applications can only be submitted by foreign students living abroad.

Applicants for Master’s Degree programmes, Higher Education for Fine Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM) programmes or Italian Language and Culture advanced courses must be of age and shall not exceed the age of 28 by the deadline of this Call (born after May 16th 1996), with the sole exception of renewals.

When applying for a MAECI grant to enroll in an Italian-taught programme, applicants must attach a certificate proving their proficiency in the Italian language. The minimum level required is B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

Applications must be sent exclusively through the Study in Italy portal (https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/) by May 16th 2025 at 14.00 (CET). Applicants must be in possession of a valid passport or identity document and they must upload a legible copy of this document at the time of registration, under penalty of exclusion. 

Letter of Motivation

• In the Motivation Letter, to be attached to the application as a PDF document, the candidate is asked to tell his/her personal story, study path, academic interests and explain the reasons for choosing to study in Italy, as well as the purpose and objectives of their study project.
• It can be written on plain paper and must not exceed 500 words.

Applications can only be submitted by foreign students living abroad.

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Transcript of Records
• Motivation Letter
• English Language Proficiency