PhD Scholarships at Ca' Foscari University of Venice 2025/26, Italy (Fully Funded)

The Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is now accepting applications for the 41st Cycle of its PhD Scholarships and admissions for the academic year 2025/2026. Situated in the heart of Venice, Italy, this prestigious university offers an exceptional academic and research environment, combining historical heritage with modern international standards.

The PhD scholarships are fully funded and merit-based, aimed at highly qualified candidates—both Italian and international—interested in pursuing advanced research. The programs cover a wide array of disciplines, including Sustainable Chemistry, Law, Economics, Computer Science, Philosophy, Environmental Sciences, and more.

The programs are typically over three years, with some extending to four years. Certain international tracks also offer joint or double degree opportunities, promoting academic mobility and collaborative research across institutions. These scholarships are ideal for master’s graduates and professionals aiming to extend their expertise in a structured and internationally competitive academic setting.

Brief Details

Scholarship Name: PhD Scholarships – 41st Cycle (2025/2026)
Organizer/Funding Body: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Host Institution: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Study Level: PhD (Doctoral Level)
Field of Study: Multiple fields (see list below)
Study Location: Venice, Italy
Funding Type: Fully funded (including stipend and research budget)
Application Deadline: May 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. (Italian time)
Result Announcement Date: May 14, 2025
Program Start: Mid-September 2025
Program End: September 2028 (3-year programs) / September 2029 (4-year programs)
Eligible Countries: All nationalities
Eligible Gender: Male/Female
Target Group: Master’s graduates and early-career professionals
Number of Opportunities: Multiple (varies by program)
Duration: 3 to 4 years
Medium of Instruction: English
Host Country: Italy

Fields of Study

Candidates can choose from the following available PhD programs for the academic year 2025/2026:

PhD Scholarships and Benefits

Following are the details of the fully funded, merit-based PhD scholarships alongside other academic information for outstanding Italian and international researchers:

The annual scholarship is €16,243, paid in monthly installments (tax-free and includes social insurance).
The scholarship is renewable annually, subject to academic performance.
Up to 50% increase for study/research periods abroad (max. 18 months).
The annual research budget should be at least 10% of the scholarship value.
Opportunity to earn joint/double degrees and participate in international research projects.
Access to a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and multicultural academic environment in Venice.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

Application is open to candidates of all nationalities.
Candidates must hold or expect to obtain by November 15, 2025, one of the following:
- Master’s degree (equivalent to Italian “Laurea Magistrale”)
- Italian Laurea Specialistica or Laurea Magistrale
- Pre-1999 Italian university degree
- Second-level degree from AFAM institutions (Advanced Artistic and Musical Training)
Demonstrate English language proficiency of at least B2 level by December 31, 2025.
Applicants must not have enrolled in another PhD program at Ca’ Foscari or partner institutions.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following:

Curriculum Vitae (preferably in Europass format)
PhD research proposal
Academic transcripts and grades (translated into English or Italian)
Diploma Supplement or Declaration of Value (for degrees earned outside the EU)
CIMEA Statement of Comparability (for non-EU degrees)
Up to two reference letters (optional)

Selection Process

The selection panel and process details are bullet-pointed as follows:

Admission panels consist of 3–5 experts (up to 9 for inter-university programs) with gender balance.
Evaluation includes:
- Academic qualifications (CV, research proposal, grades)
- Written and/or oral exams (vary by program)
Shortlisted candidates will be publicly listed on the university website—applicants will not receive individual notifications.
Scholarships are awarded based on ranking, with consideration for household income in case of ties.
For topic-specific scholarships, candidates are selected based on qualifications and fit with the research topic.

How to Apply?

Applicants must follow two mandatory steps:

Step 1: Registration

Register on the official university website.
If you don’t have an Italian tax code, the system will generate one for you during registration.
Keep this tax code for the next step.

Step 2: Submit Application

Submit a separate application for your desired program/curriculum of interest (links above).
Pay the €15 application fee via PagoPA.
The system will provide a unique application code to track your status.
A confirmation email with an application receipt and a modification link will be sent to the candidate. Check your spam folder if it has not been

Contact Information

For more information and updates, visit the official scholarship page on the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice – Official Website. For further assistance, please contact phd.application@unive.it.