- ~€16,243/yr gross stipendAnnual stipend
- +50% abroad bonus (18 mo)Research-abroad bonus
- ~€19,800 (est.) top awardSpecial funding
- 300+ scholarshipsScale of programme
- 92 doctoral programmesProgramme range
- Open worldwideEligibility
At a glance
full
Funding
€20k
Max amount
Jun 19, 2027
Deadline
All countries (open to international students worldwide)
Country
Sapienza University of Rome
Provider
Sapienza University of Rome, one of Europe's oldest universities, offers fully funded PhD scholarships for its new doctoral cycle (the 42nd Cycle, 2026/2027), continuing the scale of the previous cycle which featured over 300 fully funded scholarships across 92 doctoral programmes. The scholarships are open to international students worldwide who wish to pursue doctoral research in Italy. Selected candidates receive an annual gross stipend of €16,243, a research-abroad bonus of an extra 50% of the monthly stipend for up to 18 months, and 10% of the scholarship reserved for research-related expenses; special funding of €19,800 is available for top international candidates. Doctoral programmes span sciences and medicine (including molecular medicine, neurosciences, bioinformatics and computational biology, genetics, immunology, and pharmacology), humanities and social sciences (archaeology, philosophy, linguistics, history, sociology, psychology), engineering and technology (cybersecurity, data science, civil, aerospace, automation, and computer engineering), and arts and design (architecture, music and performing arts, public-sector service design). Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent by the qualification date around 31 October 2026 and demonstrate strong motivation for advanced research. Because stipend rates, the number of places, and the closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official Sapienza PhD page before you apply.
What's covered
- Annual PhD stipend — An annual gross stipend of €16,243 paid to selected candidates for the duration of the doctoral programme.
- Research-abroad bonus — An increase of 50% of the monthly stipend for periods of research abroad, for up to 18 months.
- Special funding for top candidates — Additional special funding of €19,800 reserved for top international candidates.
- Research expenses budget — 10% of the scholarship value is reserved for research-related costs such as materials, travel, and conferences.
- Tuition and research support — Full financial support covering tuition, the stipend, and research expenses for a fully funded PhD in Rome (around ~€16,000–€19,800 (est.) per year in total stipend value).
How to apply
Applications are made online through the Sapienza PhD portal to the chosen doctoral programme before the cycle deadline.
- Choose a doctoral programme — Browse the list of around 92 doctoral programmes on the Sapienza PhD portal and select one that matches your research interests.
- Check programme requirements — Review the programme-specific call for applications for any extra requirements such as a research project, references, or language conditions.
- Prepare your documents — Gather your Master's degree certificate (or evidence you will hold it by around 31 October 2026), academic transcripts, CV, research proposal, and references.
- Submit your online application — Complete and submit your application through the Sapienza PhD portal before the closing date around 19 June 2026, 23:59 CET (est.).
- Await selection results — Wait for the programme's selection process; results are announced by each department and may include an interview or written assessment.
Eligibility
NationalityOpen to international students from any country worldwide.
QualificationMust hold a Master's degree or equivalent (or obtain it) by the qualification date around 31 October 2026.
Research commitmentMust demonstrate strong motivation and commitment to advanced research and academic study.
Programme applicationMust apply to a specific doctoral programme within the relevant PhD cycle through the Sapienza application portal.
Positions are spread across roughly 92 doctoral programmes, with discipline-specific allocations (for example archaeology and data science each feature blocks of fully funded positions). Results timing varies by department and selection process.
Eligible countries
All countries (open to international students worldwide)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cycle~19 June 2026, 23:59 CET (est.)
2026/2027 qualification deadline~31 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Each doctoral programme runs its own selection process, assessing candidates on academic record, the quality of the research proposal, references, and in many cases an interview or written examination. Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent by around 31 October 2026 and demonstrate strong research motivation. With over 300 fully funded positions across about 92 programmes in the previous cycle, allocations are made per programme, and results timing varies by department.
Verified sources
- Sapienza University of Rome — PhD Portalphd.uniroma1.itofficial
About the provider
Sapienza University of Rome is one of the oldest universities in Europe and one of the largest in Italy, based in the centre of Rome. It runs around 92 doctoral programmes across sciences, medicine, engineering, the humanities, and the arts, offering hundreds of fully funded PhD scholarships to international and Italian candidates each cycle.
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 the Sapienza PhD scholarships?
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International students from any country who hold (or will hold by around 31 October 2026) a Master's degree or equivalent and demonstrate strong motivation for advanced research.
How much is the PhD stipend?
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An annual gross stipend of €16,243, plus a 50% increase for up to 18 months of research abroad and 10% of the scholarship reserved for research expenses.
Is there extra funding for top candidates?
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Yes; special funding of €19,800 (around ~€19,800 (est.)) is available for top international candidates.
How many scholarships are available?
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The previous cycle featured over 300 fully funded scholarships across about 92 doctoral programmes; figures are confirmed each cycle.
What subjects can I study?
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A wide range, including sciences and medicine, humanities and social sciences, engineering and technology, and arts and design.
When must I hold my Master's degree by?
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You must hold a Master's degree or equivalent by the qualification date around 31 October 2026.
Where is the university located?
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Sapienza University of Rome is located in Rome, Italy, one of Europe's oldest universities.
What does the research-abroad bonus cover?
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It adds 50% to your monthly stipend during approved periods of research abroad, for up to 18 months.
What documents do I need?
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A Master's certificate (or proof you will hold it by the deadline), transcripts, a CV, a research proposal, and any references required by the programme.
How do I apply?
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Apply online through the Sapienza PhD portal to your chosen doctoral programme before the cycle deadline.
When is the deadline?
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The application deadline falls around 19 June 2026, 23:59 CET (est.); confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official Sapienza PhD page.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official Sapienza University of Rome PhD portal linked in the sources section.