University of Pisa provides PhD Scholarship increment
PhD students are strongly encouraged to undertake periods of training or research abroad as part of their program. To support this, the University of Pisa offers an increased PhD scholarship for stays abroad, independent of the Erasmus programs. Specifically, the scholarship can be increased by 50% for stays of at least 15 continuous days, up to a total of 18 months. This increase must be approved by the PhD Program Coordinator and the Doctorate Board, following the supervisor’s endorsement of the mission and receipt of an acceptance letter from the host institution.
For details, visit https://dottorato.unipi.it/index.php/it/dottorandi/item/61-maggiorazione-della-borsa-di-studio-per-soggiorno-allestero.html
PhD students can benefit from the Erasmus+ Program, which provides financial support for periods abroad. To participate, students must apply through the annual call (open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Pisa). The call typically opens in spring. In summary:
Note: For “Traineeship Mobility,” destinations can include universities, hospitals, or non-national research centers (e.g., CNR) in Erasmus+ program countries. Host organizations may include public or private entities active in labor markets, education, or training, such as public enterprises, regional/national bodies, professional associations, foundations, NGOs, or higher education institutions with an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. However, EU institutions or bodies managing EU programs are not eligible as hosts.
For details, visit the UniPi Erasmus+ web page
Erasmus Extra-EU
Each year, funding is made available for traineeship experiences in non-EU countries through a dedicated call, usually in autumn. The number of positions and the funding amount may vary annually. A mandatory part of the application is a traineeship proposal, which must include a declaration of acceptance from the host institution and a brief description of the traineeship’s content and objectives.
For details, visit the UniPi Erasmus+ web page
Joint supervision of doctoral theses offers a unique form of international collaboration, resulting in a double or joint degree recognized in both partner countries.
Important considerations: a) this procedure depends on the foreign country and university with which the student intends to establish the joint program; b) the administrative process can take several months and must be initiated early in the PhD course (not in the final year).
General Requirements: a) the thesis must be co-supervised by advisors from the University of Pisa and the partner university; b) the defense occurs at one agreed location; c) specific agreements between the universities cover research activities, university fees (typically paid at the institution of initial enrollment, except for the annual regional tax payable at the University of Pisa), the final examination, examination board, and degree issuance.
For details, visit UniPi Joint supervision of doctoral theses web page
The University of Pisa can issue a Doctor Europaeus certification if the following conditions are met:
a) two professors from universities outside Italy, based in two different EU (or non-EU, for the International Doctorate) countries, provide positive evaluations of the thesis;
b) at least one examination committee member belongs to an institution in an EU country different from the one where the thesis is defended;
c) part of the thesis discussion occurs in an official EU language other than the one used in the country where the thesis is defended;
d) the student conducts at least three months of research in a country other than their home country.
For details, visit UniPi International Doctorate Certification web page.
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