The Reichstag building in Berlin with the German flag flying above the glass dome at dusk.

Italy Annual cycle — PhD calls typically open in spring/summer with deadlines for the autumn (often November) academic-year start

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna PhD Scholarships

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa is one of Italy's elite public 'schools of excellence', renowned for robotics, biomedical engineering, economics, agricultural sciences, and law. Unlike many Italian PhDs, Sant'Anna funds admitted doctoral students generously: a full multi-year PhD scholarship (a genuine living stipend, increased for research periods abroad) plus, for winners of its competitive places, free board and lodging at the school's colleges. This makes it one of the most fully-funded doctorate routes in Italy and a strong, honest option for Sri Lankan Master's graduates — there is real money attached, not just a tuition waiver. Admission is by open international competition for advertised PhD positions in defined research areas.

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Scholarship

Full multi-year PhD stipend

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Board & Lodging

Free for competition winners

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Duration

3 years (doctorate)

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Fields

Robotics, biomed, economics, agri, law

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Relevant Master's Degree

A Master's (or equivalent) qualifying you for doctoral study in the chosen field. Sri Lankan applicants with a research Master's and strong results are competitive.

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Open Competition

Admission is by competitive public selection for advertised PhD positions in specific research areas — you apply to a defined call, not a generic scholarship.

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English Proficiency

Many programmes are taught and examined in English. Check each call's language requirement; proof of English may be required for international applicants.

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Open to Internationals

Calls are open to applicants worldwide, including Sri Lanka, and the school supports the Italian study/research-visa process for successful candidates.

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Research Proposal & Documents

A research statement or fit to the advertised topic, transcripts, CV, and references. Some areas weigh a written research proposal heavily in selection.

account_tree Application Process

Find an open PhD call

Review Sant'Anna's annual PhD calls and identify a position matching your research interests and Master's background. Each call defines its topics and places.

Apply to the competition

Submit the online application by the call deadline with transcripts, CV, references, and any required research proposal. Pay attention to area-specific requirements.

Selection

Selection is by competitive evaluation, often including assessment of qualifications and an interview (frequently available online for international applicants).

Funded enrolment

Winners receive the PhD scholarship (and, where awarded, free board and lodging), complete Italy's visa process, and begin their doctorate in the autumn.

About Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna is a small, highly selective public university in Pisa that consistently ranks among the world's best young and small universities, with global leadership in robotics and biorobotics. Its generous, fully-funded doctoral model makes it one of the most attractive research destinations in Italy for international graduates.