The Milano Bicocca Scholarship 2026 in Italy offers a second opportunity for PhD admissions with scholarship funding at the University of Milano-Bicocca. This Session II of the 42nd-cycle doctoral admissions for the 2026/2027 academic year includes positions funded by companies, external institutions, or university departments.
The University of Milano-Bicocca is a public research university located in Milan, Italy. It was established in 1998 and is known for its strong focus on research and innovation. The university offers a wide range of doctoral programmes across various disciplines, including science, medicine, economics, and humanities.
Milano Bicocca Scholarship Benefits
- Standard PhD scholarship of €16,243 gross per year
- Indicative net payment of approximately €1,200 per month
- Funding may vary for positions financed through companies, research projects, or external institutions
Milano Bicocca Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Open to qualified Italian and international applicants
- Must hold a master’s degree, second-cycle qualification, or an eligible foreign degree that permits access to doctoral study
- Students still completing their master’s programme may apply, provided they obtain the qualifying degree by October 31, 2026
- Some doctoral programmes may reserve scholarships for candidates who graduated from foreign universities or reside outside Italy
- Eligibility must be checked separately for each project
Required Documents
The required documents vary by programme but may include:
- Academic CV
- Bachelor’s and master’s degree records
- Transcript of courses and grades
- Identification document
- Research proposal
- Master’s thesis abstract
- Motivation statement
- Publications or conference contributions
- Reference letters
- Documents proving research or professional experience
Applicants may manage their uploads before formally completing the application for this Italian University of Bicocca Scholarship Program, but after final submission the application cannot be modified, withdrawn and resubmitted simply to replace a document.
How to Apply for Milano Bicocca Scholarship
- Apply through the university’s online admission system
- Read both the general competition rules and the description of the selected doctoral project
- Prepare required documents: academic CV, bachelor’s and master’s degree records, transcript of courses and grades, identification document, research proposal, master’s thesis abstract, motivation statement, publications or conference contributions, reference letters, documents proving research or professional experience
- Manage uploads before formally completing the application
- After final submission, the application cannot be modified, withdrawn, and resubmitted
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Milano Bicocca Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
Can international students get a fully funded PhD in Italy?
Yes. Italian and international applicants holding an eligible second-cycle qualification can compete for funded doctoral places at Italian universities. A standard Italian doctoral scholarship is currently listed at €16,243 gross per year, normally paid in 12 monthly instalments. Some externally funded projects may offer different financial conditions or additional research benefits.
Are all PhD admissions at Italian universities fully funded?
No. A university call may include funded scholarships, industrial PhD positions, places reserved for particular applicants, and positions without a scholarship. Students looking specifically for a fully funded PhD in Italy should read the funding column and individual project description before applying.
Can I apply for a PhD scholarship in Italy without IELTS?
Possibly, but there is no nationwide rule saying that every Italian university accepts PhD applicants without IELTS. English-language requirements are determined by the university, doctoral programme, and sometimes the individual research project. One programme may accept a Medium of Instruction letter, another may assess English during the interview, while another may require IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent certificate.
Is a Medium of Instruction letter accepted instead of IELTS in Italy?
An MOI letter may be accepted when the official PhD call expressly recognises previous education taught in English as valid language evidence. Applicants should not assume that an MOI accepted by one Italian university will be accepted by every other institution. The MOI should normally be issued by the previous university and clearly confirm that the relevant degree was taught and examined in English.
Is ‘without IELTS’ the same as ‘without English proficiency’?
No. These are not the same thing. An Italy scholarship without IELTS may still require applicants to demonstrate English ability through a Medium of Instruction certificate, a different recognised language test, previous education completed in English, an English-language interview, a university-administered assessment, or another certificate accepted by the programme.
Can the Italian Embassy require language evidence when the university has waived IELTS?
University admission and the Italian student-visa process are related but separate procedures. A university may accept an MOI letter or waive a standardised test, but the diplomatic mission remains responsible for assessing the visa application and supporting documents. Non-EU candidates should follow the instructions issued by the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residence.
Do I need to contact a professor before applying for a PhD in Italy?
Not always. Many PhD admissions at Italian universities are conducted through public calls in which candidates apply directly to the university and are ranked through document assessment, a research proposal, written examination, or interview. Contacting a professor is worthwhile when the call asks candidates to identify a supervisor, the research project requires preliminary discussion, or you have a specific academic question not answered in the notice.
Can I win a PhD scholarship in Italy without publications?
Yes. Publications can strengthen an application, but they are not universally compulsory. Selection panels may consider several indicators of research potential, including master’s thesis quality, relevance of the previous degree, research proposal, laboratory or field experience, technical and analytical skills, conference presentations, academic references, and performance during the interview.
Is a research proposal required for an Italian PhD scholarship?
It depends on the doctoral programme. Some Italian PhD calls require applicants to submit their own research proposal. Others advertise a predetermined project and ask candidates to explain how they would investigate that topic. Certain programmes evaluate applicants mainly through qualifications, examinations, and interviews.
Can final-year master’s students apply for PhD programmes in Italy?
Many Italian universities permit candidates who are completing their master’s degree to apply conditionally, provided they graduate by the date specified in the doctoral call. For Milano-Bicocca’s 2026/2027 doctoral competition, eligible candidates awaiting completion of their degree must obtain it by the deadline stated in the university call.
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