The MAECI Government Scholarship: An Overview for Turkish Students

What is the MAECI scholarship?

Officially the programme is called “Borse di studio del Governo Italiano” — the Italian Government Scholarships. Its purpose is to foster cultural, scientific and technological cooperation, spread the Italian language and culture, and strengthen Italy’s international academic network. The grant belongs not to any university but to the Italian state: when you win, you study at the Italian institution of your choice, but the ministry pays the scholarship. The distinction matters, because you apply not to a university but to a central portal.

The application is entirely online and runs exclusively through the Study in Italy portal. No agency, consultancy or physical embassy application is involved — treat any such offer with suspicion. That portal is the scholarship’s only official door.

What the scholarship covers — not just cash

Say “a €9,000 scholarship” and most people picture only the cash allowance; in fact the award’s value is the sum of three parts. First, the living allowance itself (around €9,000 a year at master’s/doctoral level, paid in three instalments). Second, scholarship holders are as a rule exempted from university tuition fees. Third, health insurance is covered by the ministry. Put together, the three secure most of an academic year in Italy. For the detailed breakdown, see our page on the amount and payment schedule.

Who can apply?

The scholarship opens for specific levels of study. The most common categories:

• Master’s degrees (laurea magistrale)
• Doctorates (dottorato di ricerca)
• AFAM — conservatoires and fine-arts academies
• Italian language and culture courses
• Advanced specialisation / research projects (opened in certain years)

There is no MAECI scholarship for bachelor’s degrees — comfortably the most widespread misconception. Anyone aiming at undergraduate study in Italy should look instead at the regional DSU grants and the universities’ own merit awards. Detailed eligibility for master’s applicants — age, degree, language — is on our eligibility page.

How much, and how is it paid?

In recent years the award for master’s, doctoral and research categories has stood at roughly €9,000 for an academic year, paid in three instalments into a bank account opened in your own name in Italy. For Italian language and culture courses the amount is lower and usually paid in a single instalment. Since the first instalment tends to arrive in late October, it is wise to travel with two months’ living costs in hand.

Category	Typical award	Payment	Duration
Master’s / doctorate / research	~€9,000	3 instalments	6–9 months/year
Italian language and culture course	Lower	Single instalment	3–6 months

The exact figure is announced in each year’s call (bando) and can change — verify the current value with the official source before applying.

How does the process run?

Broadly: the call opens → you apply on the Study in Italy portal → assessment and ranking → winners announced → university enrolment and visa. On paper that calendar looks relaxed; in practice it is tight, because while you wait for the scholarship decision you must run your university admission and Universitaly pre-enrolment in parallel. We’ve broken the process into pieces — see our pages on the application steps, the calendar and the required documents.

Documents and sworn translation

The application itself is light on uploads; the heavy document work comes after you win, at enrolment and visa stage. That is when you need the apostilled originals of your degree certificate and transcript with sworn Italian translations, plus a Dichiarazione di Valore from the consulate (or a CIMEA statement, where the university accepts one). The order matters: apostille the original first, then translate. You can have the sworn Italian translation of your diploma and transcript done by us — upload the documents and see the price and turnaround instantly.

Can you hold MAECI and a DSU grant together?

In most regions, yes — MAECI (central government) and the regional DSU grant draw on different funds. It is a combination that makes studying in Italy far more affordable: MAECI covers monthly living costs while DSU can pick up housing and meals. But some regional agencies count the MAECI allowance as income in the ISEE calculation, which can affect your DSU award — so ask your region’s DSU agency in writing about compatibility before applying.

A short roadmap for Turkish students

• Check eligibility (age, degree, language)
• Apply on Study in Italy when the call opens
• While waiting: documents + Universitaly preparation
• On winning: DoV/CIMEA, visa, enrolment
• Have the diploma–transcript sworn translation done early

For the Turkey-specific details — equivalency, military service, the consulates — see our Turkish student notes page.

How MAECI differs from Italy’s other scholarships

Three main funding channels are open to students in Italy, and keeping them apart matters. The first is the MAECI government scholarship, this page’s subject: awarded by the central state, applied for on the Study in Italy portal, offering living allowance + fee exemption + health insurance, and not available at bachelor’s level. The second is the regional DSU grant: awarded by each region’s own agency, based chiefly on family income (ISEE), and covering every level including bachelor’s. The third is the universities’ own merit scholarships, which look at your file rather than your income. The three do not exclude one another; meet the conditions and you can hold more than one in the same year. The right strategy is to pursue all three in parallel, each on its own calendar.

Who is this scholarship right for?

MAECI is a strong option for a Turkish student who wants a master’s or doctorate at a recognised state (or state-recognised) institution and meets the age and language conditions. Research-minded candidates with a clear purpose — able to tie their choice of department to a concrete academic goal — stand out. If, on the other hand, you are an undergraduate or above the age limit, your energy is better spent on the DSU and university channels. For the decision itself, see our guide to which scholarship fits you, and the page setting MAECI and DSU side by side.

In brief

The MAECI scholarship is the Italian state’s central grant for international students — master’s, doctorate, arts and language study — worth around €9,000 with fee exemption and health insurance on top. Applying is free and entirely online; the document side is where the apostille and the sworn Italian translation come in. Planned properly, it secures the bulk of an academic year in Italy. Leave the documents and translation to us, and keep your attention on the application.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a MAECI scholarship for bachelor’s degrees?

No. MAECI opens for master’s, doctoral, AFAM and language-course study; it is not awarded at bachelor’s level. For undergraduates, look at the regional DSU grants and university scholarships.

Do I need an agency to apply?

No. The application is made directly, free of charge, on the Study in Italy portal. Professional help is only for things like the sworn translation of your documents.

Is Turkey among the eligible countries?

Generally yes; Turkey appears on the list of designated countries. Still, confirm the country list in each year’s call (bando).

Is English enough, or is Italian required?

For English-taught programmes, B2 English suffices; Italian is not compulsory. Italian-taught programmes require B2 Italian (CILS/CELI). Basic Italian is recommended for daily life either way.