University of Bologna PhD Scholarships 2026 Italy
International students planning to pursue doctoral studies in Europe can now apply for the latest PhD scholarship opportunities at the University of Bologna. The university has opened admissions for multiple PhD programmes across a wide range of academic disciplines with funded doctoral positions available for the academic intake.
The scholarships provide annual stipends, research opportunities, and access to one of Europe’s oldest and most respected research universities. With programmes available in science, engineering, medicine, humanities, economics, law, and social sciences, the opportunity is expected to attract strong international competition.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Italy
- University: University of Bologna
- Degree Level: PhD
- Scholarship Coverage: Funded
- Annual Stipend: Up to €19,700.76
- Duration: Mostly 3 Years
- Eligible Nationalities: All Nationalities
- Number of Programmes: 46 PhD Programmes
- Application Deadline: June 15
- Study Areas: Science, Engineering, Humanities, Medicine, Economics, Law, Agriculture
Degree Level
The opportunity is available for:
- PhD degree programmes
- Doctoral research studies
- Advanced academic and scientific research training
Available Subjects
Students from multiple academic disciplines can apply, including:
- Engineering Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Geological Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Medical Sciences
- Veterinary Sciences
- Humanities
- Legal Studies
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Social Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Research Fields
Benefits
Selected candidates may receive the following benefits:
- Annual scholarship funding ranging from €16,982.64 to €19,700.76
- Access to funded doctoral research programmes
- Research supervision and academic support
- Opportunities for international academic collaboration
- Study opportunities at one of Europe’s historic universities
- Access to university research facilities and laboratories
Funding may vary depending on the doctoral programme and scholarship category.
Why Study at the University of Bologna?
Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is considered one of the oldest universities in the world and remains one of Europe’s leading research institutions.
International students may benefit from:
- Strong academic reputation
- Wide variety of research programmes
- International research collaborations
- Access to European academic networks
- Multilingual study opportunities
- Research-focused doctoral training environment
Several PhD programmes are offered in English, while others may use Italian or additional languages depending on the discipline.
Scholarship Types
The University of Bologna offers different types of funded PhD positions, including:
Open-Topic Scholarships
Students compete through general merit rankings and later develop research projects with academic supervisors.
Restricted-Topic Scholarships
These scholarships are linked to predefined research themes or projects. Applicants are evaluated specifically for those research areas.
Eligible Nationalities
The PhD scholarships are open to:
- Italian students
- International students from all countries
Some programmes may also reserve positions specifically for international applicants.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
- Meet the academic requirements of the selected PhD programme
- Demonstrate research ability and academic preparation
- Fulfil programme-specific language requirements
- Submit all required application materials before the deadline
Applicants completing their master’s degree before programme commencement may also be eligible.
Application Procedure
To apply for the PhD programmes, candidates should:
- Select a suitable PhD programme.
- Review programme-specific admission requirements carefully.
- Prepare all academic and supporting documents.
- Complete the online application process.
- Upload the required documents before the deadline.
- Participate in interviews or evaluations if required.
The selection process may include:
- Academic document evaluation
- Research proposal assessment
- Written examinations
- Interviews
- Language evaluations
Required Documents
Depending on the programme, applicants may need to submit:
- Academic transcripts
- Master’s degree certificate or proof of completion
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research proposal
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Publications or research work
- Language proficiency documents
- Passport or identification documents
Selection requirements may differ by department and research area.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the University of Bologna PhD Scholarships second call is June 15.
Students are encouraged to apply early because funded doctoral positions are highly competitive.
