Italian Government Scholarships for foreign citizens (MAECI)

In short

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation offers MAECI scholarships for study in Italy. They provide partial funding for Master's, PhD, postdoctoral or research, and short-course or training study. Somali applicants are eligible; the 2026/27 call has closed.

What it covers

It includes a monthly allowance for 3, 6 or 9 months, health and accident insurance, and usually an enrolment-fee exemption decided by the institution. Tuition fees are partly covered; allowance amounts are in the official call.

• Tuition feesPartly
• Living allowanceIncluded
• TravelNot stated
• Health insuranceIncluded
• Visa costsNot stated
• AccommodationNot stated
• FamilyNot stated

A monthly allowance for 3, 6 or 9 months (9 months for degree courses), health and accident insurance and, usually, an exemption from enrolment fees decided by the institution; amounts are in the official call.

Only what the official source states. "Not stated" means we could not confirm it, not that it is excluded.

Who can apply

It is for foreign citizens and Italians living abroad. Applicants need the qualification required by their chosen course and must arrange admission with the institution; age limits apply by course type.

• Somali applicants are eligible under the call published by the Embassy in Mogadishu.
• You need the qualification required by your chosen course.
• Admission must be arranged with the institution.
• For Master's courses, applicants must be under 28.
• For PhD courses, applicants must be under 30.
• For research projects, applicants must be under 40.
• Courses taught in Italian require Italian at B2 level.

Academic requirement

The qualification required by the chosen course (a bachelor's for a master's degree course, a master's for a PhD) and admission arranged with the institution.

Age

Under 28 for master's degree courses, under 30 for PhD, under 40 for research projects (as in recent calls).

Selection

Selection by a committee at the Italian Embassy in Mogadishu.

English requirement

The university decides

The scholarship itself does not require an English test. For courses taught in English, the institution sets the English requirement; Italian at B2 level is required for courses taught in Italian.

Italian at B2 level is required for courses taught in Italian; for courses taught in English, the institution sets the English requirement.

Never assume IELTS is needed. Only the official page and the university you apply to decide.

Documents you will need

• Passport (or national ID)
• Degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• CV
• Other documents (see the official page)

Online application on the Study in Italy portal with your passport, degrees and course choice; the embassy may ask for further documents.

How to apply

1. 1Read the current call and check the eligibility rules on the Study in Italy portal.
2. 2Choose a course and arrange admission with the institution.
3. 3Prepare your passport or national ID, degree certificate, transcripts and CV.
4. 4Check the official page for any other required documents.
5. 5Apply online through the Study in Italy portal.
6. 6Submit by the deadline shown for your university or course.

Important notes

• The 2026/27 call closed on 26 March 2026 at 2 pm Italian time.
• The 2027/2028 cycle opens on 2027-02-15; deadlines vary by university or course, with the current cycle counted until 2027-04-15.
• The Embassy in Mogadishu selects applicants through a committee. The scholarship is competitive.

Official source

ZitTalent explains; the official website decides. Always check the official page before you apply, and apply only there.

The explanation was written by AI from the verified facts and the official page, then checked by fixed rules: any amount, date, score or document the source does not state is removed.