Applications are now open for the University of Messina PhD Scholarships under the 42nd Cycle for the Academic Year 2026/2027. This public competition is open to graduates from Italy and around the world, without any restriction on age or nationality, and covers 15 different PhD courses ranging from Engineering and Chemical Sciences to Law, Political Sciences, Psychology, and Veterinary Sciences.
Successful candidates will receive a fully funded scholarship and join their PhD Course starting from 1st November 2026. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, including eligibility, scholarship value, required documents, and the exact steps to apply. For more BS, MS,Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
Key Details:
- University: University of Messina, Italy
- Program: PhD Courses, 42nd Cycle
- Academic Year: 2026/2027
- Number of PhD Courses: 15
- Course Duration: Three academic years, starting 1st November 2026
- Application Fee: € 30.00 (exemptions available for candidates from developing countries)
- Application Mode: Online through the Esse3 platform
- Application Window: 30 days from the online publication of the Call
What This PhD Program Offers:
- Annual scholarship amount of € 16,243.00, paid monthly and subject to social security charges
- Positions with and without scholarship across all 15 PhD courses
- Executive PhD positions for employees of partner companies such as Biofuture Medicine, Dpt Consulting, Vishay Semiconductor Italiana, Sanypet, and Falco
- PhD high level trainee positions for candidates aged between 18 and 29, funded by Falco s.r.l.
- Scholarships funded by external institutions, including the Sicilian Region, the National Cybersecurity Agency, and the PRONUTRA Project
- Optional or mandatory periods of study abroad for several company funded scholarships
- Reduced annual contribution of € 750.00 for foreign candidates who are non resident and earn no income in Italy
- Full exemption from the participation fee for candidates from countries defined as particularly poor and developing by Ministerial Decree No. 176 of 2026
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Eligibility Criteria:
To apply, candidates must meet one of the following conditions, with no restrictions on age or citizenship.
- Already hold a Master’s Degree, a specialist degree, an old system degree diploma, or an equivalent foreign qualification recognised as suitable for PhD admission
- Or be in the final stage of studies and obtain the required qualification by 31st October 2026, otherwise the admission will be forfeited
Additional conditions apply for specific positions:
- Executive PhD positions: candidates must have an active employment relationship with the affiliated company for the entire duration of the course
- PhD high level trainee positions: candidates must be between 18 and 29 years old
- Regional scholarships under Call No. 32/2026: candidates must be born or resident in Sicily on the date this Call was published
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PhD Courses Available:
Here is a quick overview of all 15 PhD courses, along with the number of UniMe/MUR scholarships and the oral exam date for each.
- Bioengineering Applied to Medical Sciences, 4 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 10 September 2026
- Applied Biology and Experimental Medicine, 4 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 9 September 2026
- Economics, Management and Statistics, 4 scholarships plus 2 Executive PhD positions with Biofuture Medicine and Dpt Consulting, oral exam on 2 September 2026
- Physics, 4 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 2 September 2026
- Engineering, 4 scholarships plus multiple company funded scholarships from Zappettificio Muzzi, Novamarine, the National Cybersecurity Agency, and an Executive PhD position with Vishay Semiconductor, oral exam on 2 September 2026
- Psychology, 3 scholarships plus 3 scholarships funded by the University of Catanzaro, oral exam on 3 September 2026
- Chemical Sciences, 4 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 29 July 2026
- Cognitive Sciences, 4 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 28 July 2026
- Public Administrations Sciences, 3 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 8 September 2026
- Legal Sciences, 5 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 3 September 2026
- Political Sciences, 4 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 3 September 2026
- Humanistic Sciences, 5 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, written exam on 1 September 2026 and oral exam on 8 September 2026
- Veterinary Biotechnological and Agricultural Sciences, 4 scholarships plus an Executive PhD position with Sanypet and a high level trainee position with Falco, oral exam on 7 September 2026
- Sustainability Sciences, 3 scholarships plus 1 position without scholarship, oral exam on 30 July 2026
- Translational Molecular Medicine and Surgery, 4 scholarships plus 2 scholarships funded under the PRONUTRA Project, oral exam on 7 September 2026
Each course has its own qualification requirements, research topics, and scoring criteria, so candidates should always check the specific attachment for their chosen course before applying.
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Selection Process:
Admission is based on qualifications and examinations, following a common structure across all 15 courses.
- Qualifications and research project evaluation, worth 40 points out of 100, split between titles such as the curriculum vitae, academic record, thesis, publications, and professional experience, and the research project itself
- Minimum score of 24 out of 100 required in this stage to be admitted to the oral exam
- Oral examination, worth 60 points out of 100, with a minimum passing score of 36, testing preparation, research aptitude, motivation, and language skills
- Minimum overall score of 60 out of 100 required across both stages to be considered eligible
- Some courses, such as Humanistic Sciences, also include a written exam instead of only qualifications and project evaluation
- Oral exams may be held online, in person, or in a mixed format depending on the course
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How to Apply:
- Access the Esse3 platform using SPID, CIE, or Esse3 credentials, depending on your nationality
- Complete the online application within 30 days from the publication of the Call
- Attach all required documents in pdf format, including your curriculum vitae, declaration of residence, self certification of your qualification, thesis, publications, professional experience, and research project where required
- Pay the participation fee of € 30.00 through the PagoPA system before the deadline, unless you qualify for exemption
- Submit a separate application for each PhD course if you wish to apply for more than one
Candidates who do not yet hold the required qualification can still apply, provided they obtain it by 31st October 2026 and notify the University accordingly.
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Enrollment and Scholarship Details:
- Admitted candidates must enroll within 10 days from the publication of the admission decree
- The scholarship is renewed each year following a positive evaluation of the candidate’s research progress
- The scholarship cannot be combined with other funding, except for certain grants supporting study periods abroad
- Public employees admitted to a PhD Course may apply for unpaid or special study leave, depending on national regulations
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the University of Messina PhD 42nd Cycle Call?
It is a public competition, based on qualifications and examinations, for admission to 15 different PhD Courses at the University of Messina for the Academic Year 2026/2027, with courses beginning on 1st November 2026.
Who can apply for the University of Messina PhD scholarships?
Anyone holding a Master’s Degree, specialist degree, or equivalent foreign qualification can apply, without restrictions on age or citizenship. Candidates still completing their degree can also apply, provided they graduate by 31st October 2026.
How much is the PhD scholarship worth?
The annual scholarship amount is € 16,243.00, gross of social security charges, paid on a monthly basis.
Is there an application fee?
Yes, candidates must pay € 30.00 through the PagoPA system. Candidates from countries classified as particularly poor and developing under Ministerial Decree No. 176 of 2026 are exempt from this fee.
How is the selection made?
Selection is based on qualifications and a research project, worth 40 points, followed by an oral examination worth 60 points. A minimum score of 24 out of 100 is needed to reach the oral stage, and an overall score of 60 out of 100 is needed to be considered eligible.
Can international students apply?
Yes, the Call is open to candidates worldwide. Some courses require basic or working knowledge of Italian or English, which will be verified during the oral exam.
When do the PhD courses start?
All PhD courses under the 42nd Cycle begin on 1st November 2026.
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