University of Cagliari PhD Scholarships 2027 | University of Cagliari | Brilliant Scholarship
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University of Cagliari PhD Scholarships 2027
Funded three-year PhD positions across 18 disciplines at the University of Cagliari, with 19 places reserved for international graduates.
University of Cagliari
Overview
The University of Cagliari, located on the Italian island of Sardinia, has opened applications for its Cycle 42 doctoral programs, offering 128 scholarship-funded PhD positions out of 149 total available slots for the 2026-2027 academic year. Of these, 19 places are specifically reserved for candidates whose qualifying degrees were earned outside Italy, making this an especially relevant opportunity for international graduates seeking funded doctoral study in Europe. A meaningful share of the funding is tied to STEP-themed research priorities covering digital and deep technologies, biotechnology, and clean, resource-efficient technologies, reflecting the university's strategic research focus. For prospective doctoral candidates, the program represents a chance to pursue advanced research training in Italy while receiving a guaranteed multi-year stipend and fee exemptions.
Scholarship Details
Successful applicants receive a gross annual stipend of €16,243, distributed in monthly installments over the standard three-year doctoral term, contingent on satisfactory annual progress. Should a candidate undertake an approved period of study or research abroad, the stipend can be increased by up to 50% for that period, offering meaningful support for international mobility during the PhD. Recipients are also exempted from the university's standard enrollment and attendance fees, which represents a substantial additional saving. However, the program is not entirely cost-free: selected students must still pay an annual regional education tax of €140 and a one-time €16 stamp duty at enrollment. Living expenses, travel, personal accommodation, and visa costs are explicitly excluded from the scholarship and must be budgeted separately by the student.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants of any nationality holding a relevant master's degree, or an equivalent second-cycle qualification that grants access to doctoral study, are eligible to apply. Candidates who have not yet completed their qualifying degree may still apply, provided they finish before enrollment and no later than October 31, 2026. A bachelor's degree alone is generally insufficient unless it forms part of a single-cycle degree recognized as equivalent to the required Italian qualification. Foreign academic credentials do not require prior official recognition before application; instead, the admissions committee evaluates their suitability for entry into the specific PhD competition. For the posts reserved for foreign candidates, referees must submit letters directly to the university using an official template — letters uploaded by the applicant themselves will not be accepted, so candidates should coordinate early with their referees. The University of Cagliari sets no minimum or maximum age limit for applicants; eligibility rests on academic background, research fit, and performance during selection. In cases where two candidates receive an identical final score, university regulations specify that the younger candidate will be ranked higher, an unusual but explicit tiebreaker.
Fields of Study & Programs
The scholarship program spans a wide array of doctoral fields, reflecting the university's broad research portfolio. Available areas include Data Science, Physics, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Molecular and Translational Medicine, Neuroscience, Personalized Medicine and Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Innovation Science and Technology, Economics and Business, Legal Sciences, History and Cultural Heritage, Philosophy and Human Sciences, Philological and Literary Studies, and Research and Social Innovation Capacities Building for Global Health. This breadth allows candidates from both STEM and humanities backgrounds to find a suitable program, though applicants should carefully review each program's specific annex, as admission requirements and research themes vary considerably between disciplines.
Participating Universities
The University of Cagliari, founded in the sixteenth century, is one of Sardinia's principal academic institutions and a recognized center for research across engineering, medicine, humanities, and the social sciences. Located in Cagliari, the island's capital city on Italy's southern Mediterranean coast, the university benefits from a strong regional research infrastructure and growing international partnerships, particularly in digital and biotechnology fields tied to national STEP funding priorities. For international doctoral candidates, Cagliari offers a lower cost of living relative to mainland Italian cities, a Mediterranean climate, and a close-knit academic community, while still providing access to Italy's broader network of research institutions and European funding schemes.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants should begin by reviewing the official University of Cagliari PhD announcement along with the specific program annex relevant to their chosen field, since eligibility details, funded position counts, and accepted qualifications vary by competition. After identifying the right program, candidates register through the PICA application portal, Italy's centralized system for academic competitions, where they select their specific PhD competition and position category. The online form requires uploading several supporting PDFs, including the completed application, degree certificate, full transcripts with grades and credits, translated versions of foreign academic documents, a valid passport copy, a CV, and a detailed research proposal outlining the intended doctoral project. A non-refundable selection fee of €26.80 must be paid for each application submitted; candidates applying to multiple PhD programs must submit and pay for each one separately. Reference letters, where required for reserved foreign posts, must be sent directly by the referee using the university's official template rather than uploaded by the applicant. Once submissions close, shortlisted candidates undergo program-specific evaluations between October 1 and October 23, 2026, which for international applicants typically include a review of academic records, reference letters, and an interview. Candidates should prepare their research proposal carefully, as it is often the most heavily weighted component of the evaluation for research-intensive programs.
Deadlines & Important Dates
The application deadline for the 2027 intake is September 28, 2026. Candidates who have not yet completed their qualifying master's degree have some flexibility, as they may apply provisionally so long as the degree is finished before enrollment, with an outside deadline of October 31, 2026, for that completion. Given the number of documents required — including translated transcripts and formally submitted reference letters — applicants should begin preparation well ahead of the deadline, particularly those applying from countries where document translation or notarization can take additional time.
Life as a Scholar
Doctoral scholars at the University of Cagliari join a research environment shaped by Sardinia's distinct academic and cultural identity. Beyond their department-specific research activities, PhD candidates often participate in interdisciplinary seminars and, where relevant to STEP-funded themes, collaborative projects tied to national technology and innovation priorities. The possibility of a 50% stipend increase during approved international research placements gives scholars a meaningful incentive to build connections with institutions abroad, which can also strengthen their eventual academic or industry career prospects. Cagliari itself offers a relatively affordable, coastal Mediterranean lifestyle compared to major Italian cities, which can ease the financial pressure of the portions of cost of living not covered by the stipend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the scholarship open to all nationalities? Yes, though 19 places are specifically reserved for candidates with degrees from outside Italy.
Does the stipend cover living expenses fully? The stipend is intended to support living costs, but travel, visas, and personal lodging are the student's responsibility.
Can I apply before completing my master's degree? Yes, provided you complete it before enrollment and no later than October 31, 2026.
Are there fees beyond the scholarship? Yes, a €140 annual regional tax and a €16 stamp duty apply regardless of the scholarship.
How many applications can I submit? As many as you wish, but each PhD program requires a separate application and fee.
Is there an age limit? No, there is no minimum or maximum age requirement.
Final Thoughts
The University of Cagliari's Cycle 42 PhD scholarships offer a substantial, multi-year funding package across a genuinely broad range of disciplines, with meaningful provisions for both domestic and international candidates. Careful attention to program-specific requirements, timely document preparation, and a well-constructed research proposal will give applicants the best chance of securing one of the 128 funded positions on offer.
Award Amount
€16,243 gross annually for three years, with a possible 50% increase during approved study periods abroad
Payment: Annual
Deadline
2026-09-28
Applicants without a completed qualifying degree may still apply if they finish before enrollment, no later than October 31, 2026
Duration
Standard three-year PhD program under Cycle 42
Renewable
No
About This Scholarship
The University of Cagliari is offering 128 scholarship-funded PhD positions out of 149 total under its Cycle 42 doctoral programs for the 2026-2027 academic year, with 19 places reserved for candidates holding degrees from outside Italy. A significant share of the funding supports STEP-themed research in digital and deep technologies, biotechnology, and resource-efficient technologies. Scholars receive €16,243 gross annually for three years, paid monthly, with a possible 50% increase during approved overseas study periods, plus exemption from standard enrollment fees. Selected students must still pay an annual regional education tax of €140 and a €16 stamp duty. Living costs, travel, and visas are not covered.
Eligible Study Levels
PhD
Fields of Study
Data SciencePhysicsElectronic and Computer EngineeringIndustrial EngineeringMathematics and Computer ScienceCivil Engineering and ArchitectureMolecular and Translational MedicineNeurosciencePersonalized Medicine and Public HealthLife, Environmental, and Drug SciencesEarth and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesInnovation Science and TechnologyEconomics and BusinessLegal SciencesHistory, Cultural Heritage, and International StudiesPhilosophy, Epistemology, and Human SciencesPhilological, Literary, Historical, and Cultural StudiesResearch and Social Innovation Capacities Building for Global Health
Available Countries
Italy
Eligibility Requirements
Open to all nationalities
19 scholarships specifically reserved for candidates with degrees earned outside Italy
Must hold or be completing a relevant master's degree or equivalent second-cycle qualification
No minimum or maximum age limit
Applicants for reserved foreign posts must arrange references via the university's official template sent directly by referees
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: Not specified; evaluated through academic transcripts and research proposal
Language Requirements:
Italian or English translations required for foreign academic documents
Application Process
1Review the official PhD announcement and program annex
2Verify funded position numbers, qualifications, and research themes
3Register on the PICA application portal
4Select the appropriate PhD competition and position category
5Complete the online form and attach required PDF documents
6Pay the €26.80 non-refundable selection fee per application
7Submit separate applications for each PhD program if applying to more than one
8Attend program-specific evaluations between October 1 and October 23, 2026, if shortlisted
Required Documents
Completed Application Form*Required
Submitted via the PICA portal
Degree Certificate*Required
Proof of qualifying degree
Complete Transcripts*Required
Subjects, grades, credits, and grading scale
Partner Universities
University of Cagliari
Cagliari, Italy
Additional Benefits
Exemption from standard university enrollment and attendance fees
50% stipend increase during approved overseas research periods
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
📚 Researched & curated by a current applicant · Updated regularly
