PhD Scholarships 2026 at Ca Foscari University Italy
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, one of Italy’s most historically significant research institutions, is now accepting applications for its PhD Scholarships 2026. Open to qualified candidates from around the world, this funded doctoral opportunity offers a structured financial package, tax-exempt income, and dedicated research budgets designed to support serious academic work across multiple disciplines. For researchers looking to pursue a doctorate in one of Europe’s most intellectually vibrant cities, this is a scholarship worth examining closely.
The number of awards varies by PhD course and is specified in the official call for each programme. Scholarships are allocated through a merit-based comparative evaluation, ranked separately for each doctoral course. In cases where candidates share equal ranking, the award is determined by the applicant’s family economic situation under Italian right-to-study legislation.
What the Money Actually Covers: A Breakdown of the Financial Package
The Ca’ Foscari PhD Scholarship is not a token stipend. It is a structured, renewable funding model built to sustain doctoral candidates through the full duration of their programme.
- The annual scholarship amount is EUR 16,243.00 gross per year, paid in monthly installments to enrolled PhD students.
- The scholarship is awarded for one year initially and renewed annually for the full programme duration, provided the student satisfactorily completes each year’s required activities as verified by faculty.
- Students authorized to conduct research abroad receive a 50 percent increase on their scholarship amount for up to 12 months on three-year programmes and up to 18 months on four-year programmes. Candidates with cotutelle agreements may access the abroad increase for up to 18 months regardless of programme length.
- Every enrolled PhD student gains access to a dedicated annual research budget, known as the 10 percent budget, starting from the first year. This fund supports both national and international research activities.
- The scholarship is fully exempt from Italian income tax and IRPEF. Students whose only income is the doctoral grant are not required to file a tax return in Italy, though it is advisable to verify this annually through the Agenzia delle Entrate.
- Social security contributions under INPS Separate Management are mandatory. The university covers two-thirds of the total contribution, while one-third is automatically withheld from the student’s monthly payment.
- The doctoral grant cannot be combined with other scholarships or research grants from any source, except those from national or foreign institutions specifically intended to supplement the student’s research or training abroad.
- Candidates who have previously received a PhD scholarship, even partially, are not eligible to receive one again.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria You Need to Meet
Ca’ Foscari’s doctoral scholarships are awarded on merit, but applicants must first clear a set of specific eligibility requirements before entering the evaluation process.
- Applicants must meet the academic qualifications outlined in the official call for the specific PhD course they are applying to.
- Candidates must pass a public selection process conducted by Ca’ Foscari University to gain admission to the doctoral programme.
- Applicants who have previously held a PhD scholarship, whether in full or in part, from any institution are ineligible to receive the award again.
- All scholarship recipients are required to register with the INPS Separate Management system upon enrolment, as social security contributions are mandatory throughout the scholarship period.
- The scholarship is assigned strictly on the basis of ranked merit for each PhD course. Where candidates share the same ranking, the award decision follows family economic criteria under Italian law.
- Specific eligibility details, required documents, and admission criteria may vary by individual PhD programme and are defined in the official call published by the university.
From Start to Submit: How the Application Process Works
Applying to the Ca’ Foscari PhD Scholarship follows a clear, step-by-step process. Candidates begin by reviewing the official call for their chosen PhD programme, which contains all the specific requirements, deadlines, and documentation needed.
Once the appropriate programme is identified, applicants prepare and submit their materials through the university’s designated application portal. This typically includes academic transcripts, a research proposal or statement of interest, identification documents, and any additional materials specified in the call. After the submission window closes, all candidates undergo a comparative merit-based evaluation conducted separately for each doctoral course. Rankings are then published, and scholarships are assigned in order of merit.
Candidates who are equally ranked are assessed based on their family economic situation in accordance with Italian legislation on the right to study. Successful applicants must then complete enrolment procedures and register with the INPS Separate Management system to activate their scholarship and social security coverage.