The University of Pisa is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe, and it is now inviting applications for its PhD programmes for the academic year 2026/2027. This is a fully funded doctoral opportunity based in Pisa, Italy, offering a competitive annual grant, a research budget, and a tuition fee exemption. For anyone looking to pursue a doctorate in Europe at a top-ranked institution, this is an opportunity worth taking seriously.
This PhD call is open to both Italian and international applicants who hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent foreign qualification. It is structured across multiple disciplines, making it relevant to researchers from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. If you are ready to commit three years to advanced research in a world-class environment, the University of Pisa wants to hear from you.
This post will walk you through everything you need to know about the University of Pisa PhD Programmes 2026/2027, including eligibility requirements, the grant and benefits, how to apply step by step, key dates, and tips to help your application stand out.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | Italy |
| Host Institution | University of Pisa |
| Degree Level | PhD (Doctoral) |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded (Grant + Fee Exemption) |
| Annual Grant | 16,243.00 EUR gross per year |
| Application Deadline (Call A) | 8 June 2026 at 1:00 p.m. CEST |
| Who Can Apply | Holders of a Master’s degree or equivalent foreign qualification |
| Programme Start Date | 1 November 2026 |
Eligibility
To be considered for a PhD place at the University of Pisa under the 2026/2027 call, you must meet the following requirements:
Citizenship: There is no citizenship restriction stated in the official call. Both Italian nationals and international candidates are eligible to apply.
Academic qualifications: You must hold, or be expected to hold by 31 October 2026, one of the following:
- A Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale) from an Italian institution
- An equivalent foreign qualification at Master’s level
Foreign degrees will be assessed for comparability in level and content by the Selection Committee. You are strongly advised to include supporting documents to demonstrate equivalence.
Other requirements: Each PhD programme may carry its own specific admission requirements. These are detailed in the individual programme descriptions that form an integral part of the official Call document.
Eligible Countries
The University of Pisa has not published a restricted list of eligible nationalities. The call appears to be open internationally. Below is a general note based on available information:
All Countries: International applicants from any country are eligible to apply, provided they hold a qualifying degree comparable to an Italian Master’s level qualification.
If your country is not reflected in official documentation or you have questions about degree equivalence, you are advised to contact the University of Pisa PhD Office directly for confirmation.
Eligible Fields of Study
The University of Pisa offers PhD programmes across a wide range of academic disciplines for the 42nd cycle. The specific list of available PhD programmes and their individual subjects is contained in the official Call for Applications document.
Fields typically covered at the University of Pisa include sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, economics, law, medicine, and more.
The full list of available PhD programmes for the 2026/2027 academic year should be confirmed by reviewing the official Call A document on the University of Pisa website or the ALICE portal.
Benefits
The University of Pisa PhD grant for 2026/2027 includes the following:
- Annual grant: 16,243.00 EUR per year (gross amount), paid in monthly instalments throughout the three-year programme.
- Research budget: PhD candidates are entitled to a dedicated research budget of at least 10% of the annual grant. This funding supports research activities carried out both within Italy and abroad.
- Grant increase for research abroad: If you carry out a research period abroad, your grant increases by 50% for the duration of that period, up to a maximum of 12 months. This means your monthly grant rises significantly during international research stays.
- Tuition fee exemption: PhD candidates are fully exempt from paying university tuition fees.
- Annual regional tax: You are only required to pay a regional tax of 140.00 EUR per year. This is a significantly lower cost than most doctoral programmes internationally.
Required Documents
The following documents are required for the application. Additional documents may be required by individual PhD programmes.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): An up-to-date academic and professional CV.
- Research proposal: Required for certain programmes. Check the individual programme description to confirm if this applies to your chosen PhD.
- Self-declaration of degree: A self-declaration confirming you hold or will hold the required qualification by 31 October 2026.
- Degree certificate and transcripts: Academic records confirming your Master’s degree or equivalent.
- Supporting documents for foreign qualifications (at least one of the following):
- Diploma Supplement
- Declaration of Value issued by the Italian embassy in your country
- ENIC-NARIC certificate confirming degree equivalence
- Application fee payment confirmation: Proof of payment of the 30.00 EUR non-refundable application fee.
- Application receipt: After submission, you must download and keep your application receipt as proof of submission.
How to Apply
Follow these steps carefully to submit a complete and valid application for the University of Pisa PhD Programmes 2026/2027:
Step 1: Visit the official University of Pisa PhD admissions page and download the full Call A document. Read it thoroughly, including the individual programme descriptions attached to it.
Step 2: Identify the specific PhD programme you want to apply for. Make sure you meet both the general admission requirements and any programme-specific requirements listed in the individual programme description.
Step 3: Register on the ALICE Portal, which is the official application platform used by the University of Pisa for all PhD applications. Use a valid email address you check regularly.
Step 4: Prepare all your required documents before beginning your application. This includes your CV, self-declaration of degree, transcripts, degree certificate, supporting documents for foreign qualifications, and your research proposal (if required by your chosen programme).
Step 5: Upload all required documents to the ALICE Portal. Ensure all files are clear, legible, and in accepted formats. Do not leave any mandatory field incomplete.
Step 6: Pay the application fee of 30.00 EUR within the strict deadline specified in the Call. Late or missing payment will invalidate your application. Keep your payment confirmation.
Step 7: Review your entire application before final submission. Double-check that all documents are correctly uploaded and that your personal details are accurate.
Step 8: Submit your application and immediately download and save your official application receipt. This receipt serves as proof that your application was received. Do not lose it.
Step 9: Monitor the University of Pisa PhD admissions page for the publication of examination schedules, ranking lists, and any further instructions related to Call A.
Step 10: If you are placed on a ranking list and wish to participate in reassignment rounds, confirm your interest as instructed. Failing to confirm will remove you from further allocation rounds.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Call A Application Deadline | 8 June 2026 at 1:00 p.m. CEST |
| Call B Publication Date | To be announced at a later date |
| Examination Schedule | Published separately for each Call |
| Ranking Lists Published | Per timelines in the Call document |
| Programme Start Date | 1 November 2026 |
| Degree Required By | 31 October 2026 |
Application Deadline
The deadline for Call A is 8 June 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST).
The application fee of 30.00 EUR must also be paid within this same strict deadline.
Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted.
A second call (Call B) will be published at a later date with separate deadlines and its own examination schedule. Watch the official University of Pisa PhD admissions page for that announcement.
Selection Criteria
The selection process varies by programme but generally includes the following assessment stages:
- CV assessment: The committee will review your academic background, research experience, publications (if any), and overall suitability for doctoral-level study.
- Research project presentation and discussion: Some programmes require candidates to present a research proposal and discuss it with the selection panel. This tests your ability to think independently and communicate your research ideas clearly.
- Written examination: Certain programmes may include a written test as part of the selection process. Check the individual programme description to confirm whether this applies to your chosen PhD.
- Interview: All candidates who progress through earlier stages will typically be invited to an interview with the selection committee.
- Foreign degree comparability: For international applicants, the committee will also assess whether your foreign Master’s degree is comparable in level and content to an Italian Laurea Magistrale. Strong supporting documents significantly help this assessment.
Important Tips
- Download and read the full Call A document before doing anything else. General information on the university website is helpful, but the official Call is the only binding document. Everything from eligibility to enrollment is governed by what is written there.
- Start preparing your documents early, particularly if you are an international applicant. Obtaining a Declaration of Value from the Italian embassy in your country or a ENIC-NARIC certificate can take several weeks. Do not leave this to the last moment.
- If your chosen programme requires a research proposal, treat it as seriously as you would a job application. The proposal should be clear, focused, and relevant to the specific academic environment at the University of Pisa. Generic proposals are easy to spot and rarely succeed.
- Pay the 30.00 EUR application fee well before the deadline. Payment processing can sometimes take time, and a failed or late payment will disqualify your application regardless of how strong your documents are.
- Download your application receipt immediately after submitting. The university states clearly that no individual notifications will be sent to candidates during the reassignment stage. Your receipt is your only proof of submission.
- Check the examination schedule as soon as it is published. The selection process includes interviews and potentially written tests. If you are an international applicant, you will need time to arrange travel or confirm that remote participation is possible.
- If you appear on a ranking list and wish to be considered during reassignment rounds, you must actively confirm your interest. Silence is treated as withdrawal. Monitor the university’s admissions page regularly after results are published.
- Contact the PhD Office early if you have any doubts about your eligibility, especially regarding foreign degree recognition. Use the Virtual Help Desk or book an appointment on a Tuesday or Thursday. The office is also reachable by phone on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the listed hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students outside of Europe apply for University of Pisa PhD programmes?
Yes. The Call for Applications does not restrict eligibility by nationality. International applicants from any country are welcome, provided they hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification that is comparable in level and content to an Italian Laurea Magistrale.
What if my Master’s degree has not been awarded yet by the application deadline?
You can still apply. However, your degree must be conferred by 31 October 2026. If you do not hold the required qualification by that date, you will not be eligible to enrol.
How does the university assess foreign degrees?
The Selection Committee assesses the comparability of foreign qualifications in level and content. To support this process, you are strongly advised to include a Diploma Supplement, a Declaration of Value issued by the Italian embassy in your country, or a ENIC-NARIC certificate with your application.
Is the PhD grant taxed?
The amount stated (16,243.00 EUR per year) is the gross amount. Net income will depend on applicable Italian tax regulations.
What happens if I am placed on a ranking list but do not get a position in the first round?
Multiple reassignment rounds are planned. If you are on the ranking list and wish to remain in contention, you must actively confirm your interest in participating in reassignments when prompted. Candidates who do not confirm will be excluded from further rounds.
Is there a research budget in addition to the grant?
Yes. PhD candidates receive a dedicated research budget of at least 10% of the annual grant. This is intended to cover the costs of research activities carried out in Italy and abroad.
Can I do part of my PhD research outside of Italy?
Yes, and the university actively encourages research periods abroad. During time spent conducting research outside Italy, your monthly grant increases by 50%, for up to 12 months of the three-year programme.
Where can I find the list of available PhD programmes for 2026/2027?
The individual programme descriptions are attached to the official Call for Applications document, which is published on the University of Pisa PhD admissions page and on the ALICE Portal. You can also find the Call listed on the MUR and EURAXESS websites.
Official Link
To apply and access the full official Call for Applications, visit the University of Pisa ALICE Portal and the official PhD admissions page:
