The University of Ferrara has opened applications for its 2026/2027 PhD intake, offering one of the largest publicly funded doctoral opportunities currently available in Europe. With 128 fully funded PhD scholarships across multiple disciplines, the programme attracts international researchers aiming to pursue advanced study in Italy under structured financial and academic support.
The funding spans science, engineering, medicine, economics, law, sustainability studies, and humanities, with each successful candidate receiving an annual scholarship of €17,663 for a three-year PhD programme.
For international applicants, this intake represents a broad-access doctoral pathway within a historic European university, combining financial support with access to research facilities, supervision, and participation in international academic networks.
What makes this intake notable is its disciplinary range. Unlike many European PhD schemes that are tied to narrow, project-specific grants, Ferrara offers positions across diverse fields including neuroscience, environmental science, chemistry, archaeology, engineering, legal studies, and economics. Humanities and social science applicants also have access to funded doctoral places, which are often more limited in other European systems.
The scholarship covers the full duration of the PhD programme and includes standard university research support. However, students are responsible for managing their own living costs, including accommodation, food, and travel. Some doctoral tracks may also include mobility periods within European research networks, depending on the research area.
Eligibility is open to international candidates holding a qualification that grants access to PhD-level study. Selection is based on academic performance, research proposal quality, and interview evaluation. Applicants with prior research experience, publications, or strong academic records tend to be more competitive, particularly in STEM-related disciplines.
Founded in 1391, the University of Ferrara is one of Italy’s oldest public universities and maintains active research collaborations across Europe. While not always positioned among the highest-ranked global institutions, it is known for strong supervisory access, smaller research groups, and increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary research aligned with European Union priorities such as climate, health, and sustainability.
Application process: Candidates must apply through the official university PhD admissions portal, submitting academic documents, CV, research proposal (where required), and other programme-specific materials. Selection may include interviews depending on the department.
Application deadline: 24 June 2026 (12:00 PM)
Apply here: https://www.unife.it/en/phd
