Italian Government Scholarship is a boundless opportunity to pursue graduate, doctoral, or research courses in Italy.
Getting a fully funded scholarship is not easy all the time. But the Italian Government is going to help you with a successful future through this Scholarship in Italy.
Remember these scholarships are different than Italy’s regional scholarships.
MAECI scholarship is provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (MAECI). It is an initiative by the Italian Government to strengthen International Students and the Italian economy, through scientific research, innovation and technology.
This guide is going to help you with each possible detail of studying in Italy. The deadlines to complete your application and submission process are also mentioned below.
So, grab this opportunity now!
Check the step-by-step process of the Italy study visa.
Italian Government Scholarship
1. Benefits of Italian Government Scholarship
2. Eligibility Criteria for MAECI Scholarship
3. Eligible Programs for MAECI Scholarship in Italy
4. Required Documents for Italian Government Scholarship
5. How to apply for Italian Government Scholarship
6. Selection Process for MAECI Scholarship in Italy
7. Deadlines for Italian Government Scholarship
8. FAQs about Italian Government Scholarship
9. Conclusion
1. Benefits of Italian Government Scholarship
This is your chance to grab a fully funded Scholarship. However Italian Government Scholarship is provided for a limited time but you can apply for the renewal of the MAECI scholarship.
Following are the main benefits of Scholarship in Italy
- Tuition fee and enrolment fee are waived by the Universities under Italian Government Scholarship
- Scholars will get medical and health insurance through the MAECI scholarship board
- There are monthly stipend set by MAECI that is 900 euros. This amount will be given in every 2 or 3 months periodically.
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2. Eligibility Criteria for MAECI Scholarship
Italian Government Scholarship is available on the basis of merit. It is actually a merit-based scholarship.
You can study in Italy under the banner of MAECI scholarship if you fulfil the following important eligibility criteria:
- Applicant must possess all the official documents e.g. passport, Identity card, transcripts
- He should have academic documents according to study in Italy portal
- Candidate must have qualified for the test for admission
- He must achieve a letter of acceptance or pre-enrolment at the Study in Italy portal
- Applicant should have an age of 28 or below for master and courses in Arts, Dance, Music (AFAM)
- For PhD candidates, the age limit is 30 or below. While research scholars should be under the age of 40
- Applicants for Italian-taught courses must have a certification for Italian Proficiency and B2 level under CEFR
- Applicants for English-taught courses must have certificate and B2-level proficiency in English
- For Ph.D. applicants, there is no proof required for language proficiency
Note: Students who are currently getting the MAECI scholarship can apply for renewal of the scholarship through the same procedure. However, they must have full-time regular enrolment in the upcoming academic year.
3. Eligible Programs for MAECI Scholarship in Italy
MAECI scholarship is one of the top grants to study in Italy. However, it is eligible only for particular study programs. You can apply to the following programs under Italian Government Scholarship
3.1. Masters Degree
International Students can apply for a master’s if they have completed a bachelor’s degree in their home country. There are various courses offered by Italian Universities for master’s.
Some courses require Admission test results.
Scholarship for a Master’s degree is provided for 6 to 9 months. You can renew your scholarship for the second year of your master’s if you have excellent academic performance.
3.2. PhD
If you have a good academic and research background you can apply for PhD program in Italy. There are different requirements of each University for PhD admission.
Applicants must need a letter of admission from an Italian University for a PhD scholarship.
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3.3. Courses in Arts, Dance or Music
You can research AFAM institutes that offer courses of Higher education in Arts, Dance and Music. These courses require an admission letter to get an Italian Government Scholarship. You need to meet the Institute’s admission requirements.
3.4. Research Projects
You can apply for a fully funded research project under a supervisor at Italian University. It is an opportunity to pursue research in public or recognized archives, Universities, museums or the following research institutes:
- Italian National Institute of Health
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics
- Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
3.5. Italian Language & Culture Advanced course
This course grant is provided for 3 months. The course is granted to those who have some skill in Italian and are certified in it.
It requires an A2 level of Italian Language proficiency.
4. Documents Required for Italian Government Scholarship
4.2. Passport & National ID card
4.3. Language Proficiency Proof (IELTS/TOEFL)
4.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
4.7. Research proposal/plan (Optional)
4.8. Statement of Purpose or Motivational Letter
4.9. Proof of Previous Work Experience (Optional)
If you want to study in Italy for free, find out our detailed guides about DSU and EDISU scholarships.
4.1. Academic documents
This includes all your certificates & academic records like
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Master or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies to which you are applying)
NOTE:
All of the above documents should be attested by respective boards.
Also, attest them from the issuing authority of home countries. The respective university must attest university documents.
In the case of Pakistan, The above-mentioned documents must be attested by IBCC, HEC, and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
IBCC authority is only responsible for the attestation of metric and inter documents.
Dear offices are present in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and also in other cities of Pakistan.
HEC office attests to bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. documents.
4.2. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
The passport of the applicant must contain at least one full blank page on both sides.
The passport must be valid at the time of visa application and on arrival to Italy.
A birth certificate or national ID card is also important to attach.
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4.3. Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS/TOEFL/Italian Language)
There are two types of courses offered in Italian Universities. One is English-taught programs while the other is Italian-taught programs.
You need to provide a language proficiency certificate for each language. You must have a B2 level of proficiency in any of the two languages according to the CEFR
If you are applying for an Italian-taught program then you must have a recognized Italian proficiency certificate. For English, you can provide an IELTS, TOEFL or proficiency certificate from the last university attended.
If you want to crack the TOEFL exam, Here is a complete guide on the Preparation for TOEFL
4.4. Recommendation letters / Letter of References
The applicants must provide up to 2 letters of recommendation. from the previous university, (Depending upon courses).
It is advised to provide a letter of recommendation from the HOD (Head of the department or Relevant course head) who should be a Ph.D.
The referees need to write their contact details (Email, phone number) at the end of the letter.
The letter must include an official letterhead, signature, and official stamp and must be of the current date.
Ask your Referees to write about your academic achievements & discuss their confidence in you that you are fully compatible with the project or course you wish to pursue.
The referees must also mention how long they have known the applicant & when was the last time they came in contact with the applicant.
4.5. CV
Europass CV can be easily made here.
The CV must contain all the latest & relevant information about your occupation & interests.
A perfect CV must be hand-signed.
4.6. Hope certificate (If applicable)
If the final transcript isn’t ready then students can apply with a Hope certificate from their university.
However, they must be graduated before their arrival in Italy.
(Please make sure you contact your university in this regard )
What is Hope’s certificate?
In simple words, It is a certificate based on the previous semester’s performance, that indicates that the candidate will pass the final exams with excellent results.
4.7. Research Plan / Proposal (Optional)
Research publications/ Achievements (conference papers, article review, abstract of thesis)
The research proposal is mostly required for postdocs or PhD students. (Depends upon the courses)
It asks you to write about the research project you agreed to complete with the assigned academic advisor.
Your research proposal should be a brief description of your research goals and objectives, the methods with which you wish to process that research, the outcomes you desire, the timeline and budget you have estimated, and the area of study you wish to explore.
It shall be a brief document yet explain the entire vision to the reader so that those analyzing your application could know of your objectives and grant you the scholarship if they match the program’s criteria and eligibility.
Taking help from an external party is strictly prohibited and violation in this regard could lead to your disqualification no matter how incredible your proposal is.
4.8. Statement of Purpose or Letter of Motivation for MAECI Scholarship
Technically SOP (Statement of purpose) and LOM (Letter of Motivation) are the same things.
It’s a Short biography to tell the panellist about yourself:
A letter of motivation or SOP could be a tricky part of applying for the MAECI Scholarship.
In this letter, you are asked to write about your personal and professional reasons why are you applying for a course & scholarship.
The maximum length of this letter is 1000 words for the Italian Government Scholarship. But it is advised to make it short & concise to one page.
How to write a perfect letter of Motivation for Italian Government Scholarship
If you are interested in writing your LOM on one page concisely, then follow this exact method.
LOM consists of three parts.
Let’s explain these three things one by one.
4.8.1. Introduction:
The introduction is the gateway to the rest of the letter. Try to capture their interest in the first few sentences. Be original & creative.
Make it personal & full of enthusiasm.
TIP: Try to initiate a story about yourself relevant to the scholarship you are applying for & then expand it to the first paragraph of the body.
4.8.2. Body:
In the first paragraph of the body, try to tell about your relevant academic & experienced background to the course.
And your professional goals attached to Italy and the University. Share your expectations of the scholarship.
In the 2nd paragraph be more precise & focus on the specific achievement related to the scholarship & course.
In the 3rd paragraph expand on what you are currently doing & the interesting things you look forward to.
4.8.3. Conclusion:
Tell them why you are the best candidate for the Italian Government Scholarship. Don’t sound needy or use pompous language instead focus on why you deserve it.
Tell them how this scholarship will help you or the future of your community.
4.9. Experience letter
Applicant must provide an Experience letter of the previous jobs and internships.
Try to customize the work experience letter with future studies.
Mention your job descriptions, work projects & the skills you learned through time.
The letter must be signed & verified by the Head or CEO of the company.
The work experience could be Paid,
Unpaid,
full-time,
part-time, or voluntary.
It could be done before, during, or after graduation.
Find out our detailed guides about Italian Regional scholarships DSU and EDISU.
4.10. Admission Letter for Italian Government Scholarship
The Italian Government Scholarship requires an admission letter from any Italian University. You need to apply to an Italian University and get an admission letter before the MAECI scholarship application.
4.11. Portfolios or workshop
It’s optional. However, students can attach portfolios or workshops to support their cases for university admission or scholarship.
5. How to apply for Italian Government Scholarship (MAECI)
To apply for the MAECI Scholarship you must have all the required documents in hand. You need to submit a copy of these documents if you get selected to CAF after reaching Italy.
The application process for the Italian Government Scholarship is easy to follow. It includes the following shortcuts:
> Study in Italy > Register Account > Apply for MAECI Scholarship > Open Application > Personal details > language proof > academic documents >Submit
5.1. Register Account at the Study in Italy Portal
Firstly, go to Study in Italy portal you can register your account at this website. The application for the Italian Government Scholarship can be made through this website.
MAECI Scholarship only accepts applications via this portal.
Note:
Always use your Active email address because MAECI uses email for further communication with the candidates
See the screenshot
5.2. Add Personal Information for Italian Government Scholarship
After completing the registration process start a new application for the Italian Government Scholarship. Add your passport, Identity Card and personal details to your application.
Here is the guide on the ERGO Scholarship in Italy for a fully funded opportunity
5.3. Fill in Course Details
The second section contains information related to the course. You need to mention the University you are applying for, the course name, city.
Then, attach your certificate of language proficiency here.
5.4. Attach Documents
In your third section, you are required to attach relevant documents to the application. It asks for the following documents
- CV
- Transcripts/Degree
- Acceptance letter/ Pre-enrolment summary
- Motivation letter
All these documents are explained above in detail.
5.5. Review & Submit the Application for MAECI Scholarship
After filling in all the sections, review your application and then Submit it.
6. Selection process for Italian Government Scholarship
The application for the Italian Government Scholarship gets selected through the following process.
- Applications are evaluated by Diplomatic missions or representatives of the Italian Government in foreign countries.
- The candidates are evaluated on the basis of their academic performance, CV and other requirements set by the Italian Universities
- A final list of selected and reserved candidates is issued on the embassy of Italy’s website in each country
- All the selected candidates will be notified through the Study in Italy portal
7. Deadlines of MAECI Scholarship in Italy
The applications for the MAECI Scholarship open in May and June every year. The deadline for this year is 9th June 2023.
8. FAQs about the Italian Government Scholarship
Can I apply for MAECI and Need-based scholarships in Italy at the same time?
Yes, you can apply for both scholarships at a time. However, if you get selected for both you need to withdraw one of them.
The Italian government does not allow you to accept the MAECI scholarship with any other need-based scholarship.
My bachelor’s degree is not completed yet will I be eligible for Italian Government scholarship?
You can apply for the scholarship with a hope certificate stating that the bachelor’s will be completed before the beginning of your graduate program in Italy.
Your undergraduate degree must be completed before the start of the next tenure of the Italian Government Scholarship.
How can I cover my whole period of studies as the stipend is only for 9 months?
Italian Government Scholarship provides renewal policy for PhD, masters and research projects. You can apply for the renewal of your scholarship till the completion of your degree in Italy.
Can I apply without IELTS or TOEFL for an Italian Government Scholarship?
Yes, you can apply without an IELTS/TOEFL in MAECI scholarship. If your previous degree is in English medium of language you can apply through an English language proficiency certificate from your University.
9. Conclusion about the Italian Government Scholarship
Scholarship is an amazing part of your journey towards Europe. With MAECI scholarship you are ready to pursue your dreams in Italy.
The scholarship in Italy provides hundreds of programs in different Universities. You can apply for masters, PhD, research projects, language and culture courses and much more.
The document requirements are also very flexible. This guide will help you to get all the information you need to know about Italian Government Scholarship.
So, check out the above guidelines to successfully win this golden chance!
We cover everything in detail, but if you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments.
