ITALY: 96 PhD Scholarships at Politecnico di Torino (Fully-Funded) 2026 – Across 16 Diverse Academic Fields. Apply below
Application Deadline: 14th November 2025 at 2:00 PM CET, with programmes beginning March 1, 2026.
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About the Award: Politecnico di Torino has opened applications for its 41st cycle of PhD programmes, offering a minimum of 96 fully-funded scholarships across 16 diverse academic fields. This comprehensive guide outlines everything prospective doctoral candidates need to know about applying to one of Italy’s leading technical universities.
Available PhD Programmes
The university offers doctoral programmes spanning architecture, engineering, sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. Programmes include Architecture History and Project, Bioengineering and Medical-Surgical Sciences in collaboration with Università degli Studi di Torino, Design and Technology, Energetics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Electronics and Communications Engineering, Management and Production Engineering, Computer and Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Heritage, Materials Science and Technology, Mathematical Sciences, and Urban and Regional Development.
Several programmes feature international collaborations, including a curriculum with Tsinghua University’s School of Architecture and partnerships with the National Institute for Nuclear Physics.Types of PhD Positions Available
Politecnico di Torino offers several categories of positions to accommodate different circumstances and career goals. Ordinary positions include fully-funded positions with own research topic, where candidates develop their research agenda in agreement with programme coordinators and supervisors. Fully-funded positions with predefined research topics require candidates to conduct research on specific subjects detailed in individual information sheets.
The university also offers positions in apprenticeship format, providing opportunities to earn a PhD degree while simultaneously employed by a company through an apprenticeship contract. These positions are available to candidates under 30 years of age when hired, with contracts lasting the entire duration of the PhD programme.
Positions without scholarships are available for candidates who wish to pursue doctoral studies without financial support from the university. Reserved positions cater to specific groups, including recipients of scholarships from governments or public bodies, research fellows, participants in the PoliTo for Refugees project, and candidates selected through specific international initiatives.
Type: PhD
Eligibility:
- Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent second-level qualification with a minimum final grade of 95/110 for Italian degrees.
- For international qualifications, candidates need degrees valid for PhD admission in their home countries, meeting minimum average grade requirements that vary by country.
- English language proficiency at B2 level is mandatory, demonstrated through recognized certifications including IELTS (minimum 5.5), TOEFL iBT (minimum 72), Cambridge English qualifications, or Pearson PTE Academic (minimum 59). Exemptions apply for candidates who completed their entire academic programme in English in specific countries or through recognized international programmes.
- Candidates still completing their Master’s degree or awaiting English certification by application deadlines may apply conditionally, provided they obtain these credentials by October 31, 2025 for first session applicants or January 31, 2026 for second session applicants. Conditional applicants must maintain a Master’s exam average of at least 25/30.
Eligible Countries: Any
To Be Taken At (Country): Italy
Number of Awards: 96
Value of Award: The annual PhD scholarship for academic year 2025/26 totals €18,854.52 gross, including social security contributions. The net monthly rate is approximately €1,386, with recipients exempted from local income tax and personal income tax. Scholarships are renewable annually for up to 36 months, contingent on satisfactory academic progress.
Scholarships include a 50% increase for periods of study and research abroad, proportional to time spent outside Italy. Additionally, each PhD candidate receives a research budget equal to 10% of the total scholarship cost, available throughout the 36-month programme.
Duration of Programme: 3 years
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Apply@polito online platform. Each application requires a non-refundable €30 fee, payable via credit card or bank transfer through the PagoPA platform.
Mandatory documentation includes a valid identification document, complete academic records showing all coursework and grades, English language certification, a Master’s thesis abstract of 3,000-6,000 characters in English, and a statement of purpose up to 8,000 characters explaining research interests and motivations. Applicants must also provide contact information for two academic referees.
Optional documents that strengthen applications include recommendation letters from academic staff or employers, valid GRE General Test scores (within five years), publications, and documentation of awards, prizes, or relevant professional experience.
International applicants must provide officially translated and authenticated documents, including degree certificates, complete transcripts, and diploma supplements or declarations of value. All non-English documents require certified translations in Italian or English.
Evaluation Process
Assessment occurs in two stages, beginning with evaluation of submitted documents and culminating in mandatory interviews. The Admissions Committee assigns up to 100 points total: a maximum of 40 points for qualifications including academic records, publications, and GRE scores; up to 20 points for the statement of purpose and recommendation letters; and up to 40 points for the interview.
Candidates must score at least 40 points in the first stage to qualify for interviews. The interview assesses professional and academic background, scientific interests, basic competencies for doctoral study, and suitability for specific predefined research topics if applicable.
Interviews may be conducted remotely via videoconference for candidates unable to attend in person at Politecnico di Torino. Remote participants must ensure reliable internet connectivity and webcam availability for identification purposes. The interview schedule is published at least five days in advance on the university website.
Ranking and Admission
Following evaluations, each programme produces a merit-based ranking list. Only candidates scoring 60/100 points or above qualify for admission. In cases of equal scores, tie-breaking criteria vary by programme, with some prioritizing female candidates in traditionally male-dominated fields, while others use age as the determining factor.
Scholarships and positions are offered according to ranking order, considering candidates’ research interests and suitability for predefined topics. For predefined research positions or apprenticeship formats, the committee’s assessment of candidates’ backgrounds and chosen research topics influences final assignments.
The PoliTo for Refugees project reserves positions for candidates with international protection status, including refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. This initiative includes specific provisions for Afghan nationals with international protection. The programme offers modified requirements and dedicated evaluation procedures, with relaxed English proficiency standards and specialized support services.
Research fellows currently holding research grants may apply for reserved positions, though research fellowships are incompatible with PhD scholarships. Successful research fellows must choose between maintaining their fellowship without a PhD scholarship or surrendering the fellowship to accept the PhD scholarship.
Acceptance and Enrollment
First session admitted candidates must accept their offers and pay a €161 fee by September 30, 2025 for scholarship positions or October 3, 2025 for positions without scholarships. This amount is deducted from tuition fees upon enrollment but is non-refundable if candidates decline to enroll.
Second session candidates proceed directly to enrollment without a separate acceptance phase. Enrollment occurs in two phases: online registration through the Apply platform and in-person identification. Both phases must be completed within specified timeframes, with failure to complete either phase resulting in permanent exclusion.
Important Considerations
PhD study at Politecnico di Torino requires full-time commitment, with candidates expected to conduct research and attend classes exclusively. Civil servants admitted to programmes are placed on unpaid special leave, though those without scholarships may retain their salaries. Company employees pursuing positions without scholarships require funded agreements between their employers and the university.
Certain individuals cannot receive PhD scholarships, including those who previously held Italian PhD scholarships, civil servants on special leave receiving salaries, current research fellows, and individuals with specific research and training contracts.
Application Support
A comprehensive webinar titled “How to apply for a PhD at Politecnico di Torino” will be held November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM, providing detailed guidance on the application process. Updates on available positions for the second session are published every Tuesday and Friday on the university website.
For questions or technical assistance, applicants must use the Ticketing Support System exclusively. Email communications to staff or offices are not processed, ensuring all interactions are properly documented and tracked.
Looking Ahead
Position availability updates continue throughout both application sessions, with the definitive number of positions finalized six days before interview dates. Additional positions may become available after the call’s initial publication, with updates highlighted exclusively on the official website.
The ranking lists remain open until October 20, 2025 for the first session and February 20, 2026 for the second session. After these dates, no further admissions from waiting lists occur, making timely application submission and response to offers crucial for prospective candidates.
This comprehensive doctoral programme represents an exceptional opportunity for qualified candidates to pursue advanced research at one of Europe’s leading technical universities, with substantial financial support and access to world-class facilities and faculty expertise across diverse scientific and engineering disciplines.
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