The Italian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), runs an annual scholarship scheme for foreign citizens who do not live in Italy and for Italians living abroad. The aim is straightforward: to deepen cultural, scientific, and technological cooperation between Italy and the wider world, and to spread Italian language and culture.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, grants support study, training, and research at Italian Higher Education Institutes, both public and legally recognized. The programme is open to applicants from a defined list of countries — and that list specifically includes several African nations, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.
If you are an eligible African student looking to study a Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, an arts/music/dance course (AFAM), a research project under academic supervision, or an Italian language and culture course, this is a chance to do it with real financial backing and medical cover in place.
Scholarship benefits
- A financial grant of 9,000 euros, paid in three separate installments into a personal Italian bank account opened in the grantee’s name.
- For Italian language and culture courses, a grant of 3,000 euros paid in a single installment.
- Possible exemption from enrollment and tuition fees, depending on each university’s policy (note: this exemption does not apply to Italian language and culture courses, where enrollment fees are due).
- Health and medical/accident insurance contracted by MAECI for the full duration of the grant (excluding pre-existing physical and pathological conditions).
- Grant duration of 3 to 9 months, depending on the type of course, with renewals possible for those who show satisfactory academic progress.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You are a foreign citizen not residing in Italy, or an Italian citizen living abroad (IRE), from an eligible country — including Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia among the African nations listed.
- ✔ You hold the academic qualification required to enroll in the relevant Italian University or Institute.
- ✔ For Master’s, AFAM, or advanced Italian language and culture courses: you are of legal age and not older than 28 by the deadline (born after 16 May 1996), except for renewals.
- ✔ For PhD programmes: you are not older than 30 by the deadline (born after 16 May 1994), except for renewals.
- ✔ For research projects under academic supervision: you are not older than 40 by the deadline (born after 16 May 1984).
- ✔ For Bachelor’s or Single Cycle Degree programmes: you are of legal age and not older than 23 by the deadline (born after 16 May 2002).
- ✔ For Italian-taught courses, you can show at least B2 Italian proficiency (CEFR); for English-taught courses, at least B2 English (CEFR).
- ✔ For Italian language and culture courses, you can show at least A2 Italian proficiency (CEFR).
- ✔ Note: no language proof is required for PhD programmes or research under academic supervision.
Application tips for African students
- Lock down your language certificate early. If you’re applying for an Italian-taught course you’ll need B2 Italian, and B2 English for English-taught courses — booking and sitting a recognized CEFR exam can take weeks, so don’t leave it late.
- If you’re from a country where English is an official language (such as Kenya, Nigeria, or South Africa) and applying for a fully English-taught course, check whether a self-certification will be accepted before paying for a test.
- Get your academic transcripts and qualifications certified, and translated where needed, well in advance — Italian institutions are particular about document recognition.
- Check your age category against the exact cut-off dates for your course type; an applicant just over the limit will not qualify, so confirm this before investing time.
- Read the official 2026/2027 Call for Applications line by line — it spells out the documents and steps the online form will require.
- Prepare for the practicalities: you’ll need to open an Italian bank account to receive the grant, and you should plan your visa and proof-of-funds paperwork ahead of arrival.
- Submit before the 2 pm CET cut-off on the deadline day, not on the day itself — online portals get congested and time-zone confusion costs applicants their place every year.
How to apply
Applications are made through the online form available after you register on the official MAECI website. You must submit by 2 pm Central European Time on 26 March 2026. Before starting, read the 2026/2027 Call for Applications carefully and use the official site for full instructions. Access the portal and details here: https://www.esteri.it/en/opportunita/borse-di-studio/per-cittadini-stranieri/borsestudio_stranieri/
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for these scholarships?
Foreign citizens not residing in Italy and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) from eligible countries. The listed countries include several in Africa — Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia — alongside others such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Lebanon, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
How much is the grant worth?
The standard grant is 9,000 euros paid in three installments. For Italian language and culture courses, it is 3,000 euros paid in a single installment. Grantees also receive MAECI-contracted health and medical insurance, and may be exempt from tuition fees depending on the university.
Do I need to speak Italian?
It depends on your course. Italian-taught courses require B2 Italian (CEFR), English-taught courses require B2 English (CEFR), and Italian language and culture courses require A2 Italian. No language proof is required for PhD programmes or research under academic supervision.
What is the deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 2 pm Central European Time on 26 March 2026. This is an annual call, and at the time of this listing applications were noted as currently closed, so check the official page for the live cycle.
How long does the scholarship last?
The grant runs for 3 to 9 months depending on the type of course. Renewals may be granted to applicants who demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.