- ~€19,000 / year (est.)Gross annual stipend
- About 79 funded places (recent cycle)Funded scholarships
- 3 yearsStandard duration
- About 20 doctoral programmesDisciplines covered
- EU and non-EU welcomeOpen internationally
- Open Subject and Thematic linesTwo scholarship types
At a glance
full
Funding
€19k
Max amount
May 29, 2027
Deadline
All countries (EU and non-EU)
Country
Politecnico di Milano
Provider
Politecnico di Milano runs a centralised PhD competition each year across roughly 20 doctoral programmes spanning engineering, architecture, design, and the sciences. In the most recent 41st cycle the university opened about 95 PhD positions, of which around 79 carried full scholarships, and the 2026/2027 (42nd cycle) intake is expected to offer a similar number of funded places. A fully funded position covers the tuition contribution and pays a monthly stipend; the gross annual stipend at the national minimum is about €19,000 (est.) before tax and social contributions, with an uplift of up to 50 percent for approved research periods abroad. Each doctorate normally lasts 3 years and starts in November. Candidates apply online, attach a CV and a research project proposal using the official templates, and pick either an Open Subject or a Thematic scholarship line. Because the stipend rate, the number of funded places, and the application window are reset every cycle, confirm the exact current-cycle figures and deadlines on the official Politecnico di Milano PhD page before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — Gross annual stipend of about €19,000 (est.) at the national minimum rate, paid monthly; tuition contribution covered for funded positions.
- Mobility uplift — Stipend increased by up to 50 percent for authorised research periods spent abroad.
- Research budget — Each funded doctoral candidate receives a personal research budget (typically at least 10 percent of the annual stipend) for fieldwork, conferences, and materials.
- Laboratory access — Use of the university's research laboratories, computing resources, and library across both the Milan campuses.
- Tuition contribution — The annual tuition contribution is covered for scholarship holders; only the regional tax and stamp duty remain payable.
- Supervision and training — Structured supervision, doctoral courses, and access to interdisciplinary research groups for the full 3-year programme.
How to apply
Applications are made entirely online through the Politecnico di Milano PhD portal during the published call window.
- Read the official call — Download and read the call for the relevant PhD cycle to confirm programmes, scholarship lines, and exact deadlines.
- Register on the portal — Create an account on the online PhD application system and start a new application for your chosen doctoral programme.
- Prepare your documents — Complete the CV and research project proposal using the official RTF templates and gather transcripts and references.
- Select your scholarship type — Choose Open Subject or Thematic; for thematic lines, rank your preferred pre-defined research themes.
- Submit before the deadline — Upload all documents and submit before the published closing time (Italian time); late submissions are not accepted.
Eligibility
QualificationA Master's degree (or equivalent second-cycle qualification) recognised internationally, held or completed by enrolment.
NationalityOpen to all candidates, both EU and non-EU; there is no nationality restriction.
Language of documentsAll application materials (CV, research proposal, transcripts) must be in English or Italian.
Scholarship choiceApplicants must indicate Open Subject or Thematic preference; thematic topics must be selected before the deadline.
Some thematic scholarships funded by industry or external bodies may carry extra conditions; read each scholarship line in the official call carefully.
Eligible countries
All countries (EU and non-EU)
Deadlines
2026/2027 PhD cycle~29 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
Each doctoral programme's selection board evaluates applicants on academic record, the quality and feasibility of the research project proposal, and (for some programmes) an interview. Candidates are ranked in order of merit, and scholarships are assigned down the ranked list until the funded places for that programme are filled.
Verified sources
- Politecnico di Milano PhD Programmespolimi.itofficial
- How to apply and enrol (PhD)dottorato.polimi.itofficial
About the provider
Politecnico di Milano is Italy's largest technical university, founded in 1863, with campuses in Milan and across Lombardy focused on engineering, architecture, and design. It enrols tens of thousands of students and runs about 20 doctoral programmes with strong industry and international research links.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for a Politecnico di Milano PhD scholarship?
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Any candidate, EU or non-EU, who holds or will hold a Master's degree recognised internationally by the enrolment date.
How much is the PhD stipend?
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The gross annual stipend is about €19,000 (est.) at the national minimum rate, paid monthly; confirm the exact current-cycle figure on the official page.
Does the scholarship cover tuition?
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Yes. For funded positions the tuition contribution is covered; you only pay the regional tax and stamp duty.
How long is the PhD?
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The standard duration is 3 years, normally starting in November of the relevant cycle.
What is the difference between Open Subject and Thematic scholarships?
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Open Subject scholarships let you finalise the research topic after admission, while Thematic scholarships are tied to pre-defined research themes you must select before the deadline.
What documents do I need?
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A CV and research proposal on the official templates, academic transcripts, your Master's certificate or proof of expected completion, references where requested, and an ID copy.
In what language do I apply?
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All documents must be submitted in English or Italian; many programmes are taught and supervised in English.
Is the stipend higher if I study abroad?
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Yes. The stipend can be increased by up to 50 percent for authorised research periods spent outside Italy.
How many scholarships are available?
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It varies by cycle; the recent 41st cycle had about 79 funded places out of roughly 95 positions. Check the current call for exact numbers.
When does the application window open?
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Typically around April, closing in late May (about 29 May 2026, est.), but confirm the dates in the official call.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
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Not for Open Subject lines, where the topic is finalised after admission; for thematic lines you align with a published theme and its supervising group.
Where do I confirm the official details?
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On the Politecnico di Milano PhD programmes page, which publishes the binding call, stipend rate, and deadlines for each cycle.