Italy's MAECI Scholarship 2026–27 Closes 26 March: What Indian Students Should Know?

Study Abroad Expert | Updated On - Mar 18, 2026

Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) has opened applications for government scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year, with a hard deadline of 26 March 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CET — just nine days away. The scholarship covers a monthly stipend totalling €10,800, medical insurance, and a possible tuition fee exemption depending on the university. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official Study in Italy portal.

For Indian students currently weighing European alternatives as visa rules tighten in the US, UK, and Canada, this is a time-sensitive opportunity — but one that requires careful reading. The scholarship is not unconditionally "fully funded." What it guarantees and what it does not are two different things, and Indian applicants need to understand both before investing time in an application.

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What the MAECI Scholarship Actually Covers

This is the most important section to read carefully. The scholarship is widely described as "fully funded" — but the official MAECI call document is more precise:

Benefit	What It Means in Practice
Monthly stipend	€10,800 total for 9-month programmes, paid in 3 instalments
Medical insurance	Covers illness and accidents during the scholarship period only. Pre-existing conditions and dental are not covered
Tuition fee waiver	Not guaranteed. Some Italian universities waive tuition fees for MAECI scholarship holders; others do not. You must check directly with your chosen university before applying

The stipend payment schedule matters:

€5,500 — paid on arrival and enrolment confirmation (November 2026)
€2,300 — paid mid-year on enrolment verification (February 2027)
€3,000 — paid at end of programme, only if you have passed a minimum of 27 credits (June 2027)

Critical condition: If you arrive in Italy after 15 November 2026, the total stipend is reduced proportionally. Arrive on time or lose part of your funding.

For Italian language course scholars: €3,600 paid as a single payment at the end of 3 months — again, reduced if you arrive after the first 15 days of the course.

Before you apply, confirm: Whether your chosen Italian university waives tuition fees for MAECI scholarship holders. This is not centrally guaranteed — it is a university-level decision. If your university does not waive fees, you will need to fund tuition separately on top of the stipend.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility for Indian Students

Is India on the eligible countries list? India is included in the list of eligible countries for MAECI scholarships. The full and current list is available at studyinitaly.esteri.it/ListaBandi — verify your eligibility directly on the portal before starting your application, as the list is subject to change each year.

Programme types and age limits:

Programme	Duration	Age Limit at Deadline (26 March 2026)
Master's degree	9 months	Under 28
Arts, Music, Dance (AFAM)	9 months	Under 28
PhD (doctoral)	9 months	Under 30
Research project	9 months	Under 40
Italian language course	3 months	Under 28

Additional eligibility conditions:

You must be a foreign national from an eligible country — selection is based on citizenship
You must not have previously studied at any Italian school or university
You can only apply to enter the first year of a programme
PhD applicants need a confirmed admission letter — a provisional letter is not accepted
Research applicants need a supervisor's invitation letter and a research plan ready at the time of application. The research scholarship cannot be renewed

Language Requirements: What Indian Students Need

Programme Type	Language Requirement
Italian-taught programme	B2 Italian certificate required
English-taught programme	B2 English certificate required; no Italian needed
PhD or Research	No language certificate required by MAECI — but your chosen university may ask for one independently

For most Indian students applying to English-taught master's or PhD programmes, a B2 English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent) is sufficient. Italian language proficiency is only required if you are applying to an Italian-taught programme or the Italian language course (minimum A2 level to apply).

Why Italy Is Worth Considering Right Now?

Italy is not a new study destination for Indian students, but it is gaining traction as a serious alternative in 2026 — for specific reasons:

Cost advantage: Public university tuition in Italy ranges from approximately €900 to €4,000 per year — significantly lower than the UK (£15,000–£35,000), Australia (AUD 20,000–45,000), or the US (25,000–60,000)
English-taught programmes: Italy now offers hundreds of English-taught master's and PhD programmes, particularly in engineering, design, architecture, business, and sciences — removing the Italian language barrier for most Indian applicants
EU access: An Italian degree opens access to the EU job market and provides a pathway to an Italian work permit post-graduation
Post-study work: Italy's post-study work permit (Permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione) allows graduates to stay and seek employment after completing their degree
Timing: With US F-1 visas down 60% for Indian students, Canada's 80% rejection rate, and the UK cutting its Graduate Route to 18 months from 2027, European destinations with stable visa environments and lower costs are attracting serious attention from Indian applicants for the first time

This scholarship, if your university waives tuition, effectively covers living costs for 9 months in Italy — making it one of the more accessible government-funded pathways currently open to Indian students.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step for Indian Students

Deadline: 26 March 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CET (approximately 6:30 p.m. IST)

Check India's eligibility — visit studyinitaly.esteri.it/ListaBandi and confirm India is on the current eligible countries list for 2026–27
Confirm tuition waiver with your chosen university — contact the international admissions office of your target Italian university and ask directly whether they waive tuition fees for MAECI scholarship holders
Register on the Study in Italy portal — create your account at studyinitaly.esteri.it
Prepare your documents — passport, degree certificates, language certificate (B2 English or Italian as applicable), admission letter (PhD applicants), research plan and supervisor letter (research applicants)
Submit before the deadline — documents not ready by 26 March can be flagged and submitted by the late document deadline of 1 July 2026
Wait for embassy review — the Italian embassy or consulate in India will review applications, shortlist candidates, and call shortlisted applicants for an interview. Final rankings are published on the embassy's website
If selected: Handle your own university enrolment, Italian tax code (codice fiscale), and student visa — all must be completed before the scholarship start date of 1 November 2026

What Students Should Do Now

Act today — with 9 days to the deadline, there is no time to delay. Start your portal registration immediately
Do not assume tuition is covered — contact your target university's international office this week to confirm their policy on MAECI scholarship holders and tuition fees
Check the age limit carefully — if you turn 28 before 26 March 2026, you are not eligible for the Master's or AFAM track
PhD applicants: confirm your admission letter status — a provisional letter will not be accepted; if you do not have a confirmed letter, the PhD track is not available to you this cycle
Research applicants: note the no-renewal condition — this is a one-time opportunity; it cannot be extended or reapplied for under the research category