Quick Read
- Standard stipend: Rs.17.61L (€16,243) a year, gross, for 3 years.
- The 42nd cycle (starting November 2026) closed on 31 August 2026.
- The next call, the 43rd cycle, is not published; expect spring 2027.
- Take-home is about Rs.1.30L (€1,200) a month after INPS contributions.
- Airfare, housing, and health insurance are not listed as benefits.
- You need a Master’s-level degree; interviews can be held remotely.
Is the University of Trieste PhD Scholarships 2027 Call Still Open?
No. The call that most websites label “University of Trieste PhD Scholarships 2027” is the 42nd cycle for the academic year 2026/27. Both selection sessions have closed, and the programs are due to start on 1 November 2026.
The next call, the 43rd cycle for academic year 2027/28, has not been announced. For University of Trieste PhD scholarships for Indian students, that makes the next several months a preparation window, not an application window.
| Cycle | Academic year | Application window | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42nd, first session | 2026/27 | 22 April to 25 May 2026, before 13:00 Italian time | Closed |
| 42nd, second session | 2026/27 | 31 July to 31 August 2026, before 13:00 Italian time | Closed |
| 41st (for reference) | 2025/26 | Call published 7 May 2025, deadline 6 June 2025 | Closed |
| 43rd | 2027/28 | Not announced | Expected spring 2027, unconfirmed |
Note:
- The call states that positions are not guaranteed in the second session for every program. Trieste has also opened a supplementary call for only two programs in the 41st cycle (deadline 27 February 2026), so check the university notice board even after the main sessions close.
- Several scholarship-listing sites present this call as “2027” and quote late-May deadlines. Those dates are the 42nd cycle, which has already passed. Plan your application around the 43rd cycle instead, and confirm the dates only on the University of Trieste portal.
Related reading: Italy Intakes 2027-28: Deadlines, Universities, and Visa Timeline
What Do the University of Trieste PhD Scholarships Cover?
The scholarship is a monthly stipend with a research budget. It is not a full package with housing and flights.
| Component | What the official call says | In rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Standard stipend | €16,243 a year, gross of INPS social security contributions, paid monthly (usually on the 25th for the previous month) | Rs.17.61L a year |
| Take-home pay | About €1,200 a month after the student’s share of contributions | About Rs.1.30L a month |
| Duration | 36 months, renewed each year if the Doctoral Board approves your progress; an extension of up to 12 months is possible in exceptional cases | Not applicable |
| Research budget | At least 10% of the scholarship for research expenses, for all candidates except those on foreign-funded or mobility-program scholarships | About Rs.1.76L (€1,624) a year |
| Research stays abroad | Stipends can rise by up to 50% for uninterrupted stays of at least 30 days, up to the months stated in each program’s attachment | Up to about Rs.2.20L (€2,030) gross a month |
| Insurance | INAIL workplace accident cover and third-party liability, valid only for accidents during PhD activity | Not applicable |
| Tuition | Enrolled students pay tuition “where applicable” plus a regional fee, as set by the Fees Policy | Confirm with the Doctoral Office |
| Not listed in the call | Airfare, accommodation, health insurance | Budget separately |
Exchange rate used: Rs.108.42 per EUR as of October 2026. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.
Note: For some scholarships, a higher amount may apply. The exact figure for each position is in the relevant program attachment to the call.
Counselor insight: Scholarship-listing sites often describe the program as “fully funded” and add tuition and health insurance. The call itself lists only the stipend, research budget, and accident and liability insurance. Read the attachment for your exact program and ask the Doctoral Office what you will pay in fees before you plan your budget.
Related reading: Scholarships in Italy for Indian Students
PhD Programs at the University of Trieste
The 42nd cycle offered 15 three-year programs. The 43rd call is likely to look similar, but program lists and place numbers change every year.
| Field cluster | Programs |
|---|---|
| Science and technology | Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence; Chemistry; Physics; Nanotechnology; Earth Science, Fluid Dynamics, and Mathematics; Industrial and Information Engineering; Civil-environmental Engineering and Architecture |
| Life and health sciences | Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation; Molecular Biomedicine; Personalized Medicine and Innovative Therapies; Neural and Cognitive Sciences |
| Society, law, and humanities | Circular Economy; Philosophy, History, and Political Studies; Advanced Interdisciplinary Legal Studies; Transcultural and Transmedia Studies (Literature, Linguistics, Interpreting, and Translation) |
Each program’s attachment lists the number and type of places (with and without scholarships and any reserved places), the documents to upload, the evaluation criteria, and the interview schedule. The call treats the attachment as the official notice, so it matters as much as the call itself.
Is India Eligible for the University of Trieste PhD Scholarship?
Yes, by nationality. University of Trieste PhD scholarships for Indian students follow the same rules as for every other applicant: the call’s degree conditions apply to any candidate, irrespective of nationality, holding a foreign degree from an EU or non-EU institution. Eligibility depends on your degree and your record, not your passport.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Degree level | An Italian Laurea Magistrale or Specialistica, or a comparable foreign qualification that gives access to doctoral studies in the country that issued it |
| Final-year students | You may apply if you graduate by 31 October of the cycle year (31 October 2026 for the 42nd cycle) |
| Program-specific degrees | Some programs require specific qualifications; check the attachment |
| Existing PhD | You cannot be admitted if you hold a PhD the Doctoral Board considers equivalent |
| Previous scholarship | Anyone who has already received a doctoral scholarship, even partially, cannot receive another |
| English | Tested during the interview; a minimum level may be required |
| Application fee | €30 (Rs.3,253) per application, non-refundable; waived only for countries listed in Ministerial Decree no. 176/2026 |
Note: The call asks for a second-level (Master’s-level) qualification. A Bachelor’s degree alone does not meet that wording. For foreign degrees, the Boards of Examiners judge equivalence by the level, length, and field of the degree, so a five-year integrated program may be assessed differently from a standard two-year Master’s.
Counselor insight: The “graduate by 31 October” rule helps Indian students whose final results arrive after the May deadline, because you can apply while still completing your Master’s. It is a condition, not a guarantee: the University can exclude you at any point if you do not complete the degree in time.
How Selection Works for the University of Trieste PhD Scholarships
Selection has two parts: an assessment of your qualifications and a public interview. English is tested at the interview, which can be attended in person or remotely.
- If you cannot attend in person, upload the “Videoconference form” with your application by the session deadline.
- Missing the interview, or failing to show a valid ID, excludes you from the competition.
- Committees rank candidates by score, and places are offered in rank order.
- A scholarship cannot go to a candidate whose skills in the project topic are judged insufficient, even if their overall rank is high.
- The University is not liable for technical failures during a remote interview.
Sources: University of Trieste: Call for Applications, 42nd Cycle (Official)
How to Apply to the University of Trieste PhD Scholarships
- Read the program attachment on the University’s call page. It lists places, scholarships, documents, and the interview schedule.
- Register and log in on the University’s online services (esse3), then choose your program under “Admission test.”
- Upload your documents, including your degree certificate and Transcript of Records. Translations into English or Italian can be your own at this stage.
- Enter your referees’ details if your program requires reference letters. Referees upload the letters directly; the final upload deadline was three days after each session closed.
- Pay the €30 fee (Rs.3,253) through PagoPA. The fee applies to each application.
- Submit the videoconference form if you want a remote interview.
Sources: University of Trieste: Call for Applications, 42nd Cycle (Official)
Note: Documents uploaded for earlier applications cannot be reused. Please upload all documents again for each application and ensure you complete this well before the deadline, as the call advises that the system may experience issues under last-minute load.
Related reading: Letter of Recommendation for PhD: Samples and Format · Statement of Purpose for PhD
Cost of Living in Trieste on a PhD Stipend
Student rents in Trieste run well below Milan or Rome, and regional housing is cheap for PhD students.
| Expense | Monthly cost | In rupees |
|---|---|---|
| ARDIS regional student housing (single or double room, utilities included) | €200 to €290 | Rs.21,684 to Rs.31,442 |
| Private single room | €250 to €450 | Rs.27,105 to Rs.48,789 |
| Food | €200 to €250 | Rs.21,684 to Rs.27,105 |
| City bus pass | €35 | Rs.3,795 |
| Numbeo single-person estimate, excluding rent (upper-end lifestyle) | About €911 | About Rs.98,760 |
| Take-home stipend | About €1,200 | About Rs.1.30L |
Exchange rate used: Rs.108.42 per EUR as of October 2026. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.
Rent, food, and a bus pass together come to roughly €435 to €735 (Rs.47,163 to Rs.79,689) a month, before personal spending. ARDIS housing is open only to students and PhD candidates enrolled at the regional universities, and the MIB and Numbeo figures are estimates, not official fixed prices.
Counselor insight: The stipend is paid monthly in arrears, so your first payment arrives after your first month of activity. Keep a cash buffer for the first six to eight weeks: rent and deposit, visa and permit costs, and groceries all come before the first payment.
Related reading: Accommodation in Italy for Indian Students · Can You Study in Italy for Free? A Guide for Indian Students
Visa, Enrollment, and Admin for Non-EU PhD Scholars
Winning a place is only the first step. The call sets strict steps and timelines after selection.
- Enrolment window: You must complete the online enrolment application within 5 working days of the enrolment opening date, or you lose your right to enrol.
- Visa: Non-EU candidates register on the Universitaly platform and apply for an entry visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.
- Permit of stay: Submit your permit of stay or the receipt of your application to the Doctoral Office after your arrival.
- Tax code and bank account: Apply for the Italian tax code. Scholarship holders also need a bank account in Italy or the SEPA zone.
- INPS registration: Register with INPS under “Gestione Separata” within 30 days of the program start.
- Degree documents: Send your degree and Transcript of Records with legalization or Apostille, plus official translations legalized in the issuing country or sworn before a court in Italy.
Sources: University of Trieste: Call for Applications, 42nd Cycle (Official) · Ministry of External Affairs, India: Attestation and Apostille
Note: In India, an apostille is issued through the Ministry of External Affairs, which advises applying well in advance because verification takes time. Start this process as soon as you are shortlisted, not after you see the ranking.
Related question: Which student visa do I need for a course longer than 90 days in Italy, and what is the fee?
Related question: How long will my Italian student visa take, and how soon must I apply for a residence permit after arriving?
Related reading: Italy Student Visa: Requirements, Process, and Fees
Which Situation Are You In?
- If you are in the final year of an Indian Master’s degree: Aim for the first session of the next call. The “graduate by 31 October” condition lets you apply before your final results, but plan your degree timeline around it.
- If you hold only a 4-year Bachelor’s degree: You do not meet the call’s Master’s-level requirement. A funded Italian Master’s route comes first; our guides on Italian scholarships explain the options.
Our counselors also answer which one-year Master’s programs lead to a PhD in this Q&A. - If you hold a Master’s degree with research or publications in science or engineering: Shortlist two or three programs from the list above and read each attachment for the evaluation criteria. Apply in the first session, when more positions are on offer.
Related reading: Italy Scholarship for Indian Students: Eligibility and How to Apply
Documents Required for the University of Trieste PhD Scholarship Application
| Document | India-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Degree certificate and Transcript of Records | Upload at application. Apostille is needed later, at enrollment, not at application |
| CIMEA statement, Dichiarazione di valore, or Diploma Supplement | Encouraged but not mandatory; they help the Board assess your degree |
| Translation | Your own English or Italian translation is accepted at application; official translations are needed at enrollment |
| Research project and publications | As listed in your program’s attachment |
| Reference letters | Only if your program requires them; referees upload them online |
| Passport | Valid ID for the interview identity check |
| Videoconference form | Needed only if you want a remote interview |
Related question: Which documents do I need to apply to Italian universities from India?
Planning Calendar for the Next University of Trieste PhD Scholarships Call (2027 Cycle)
The 43rd call is not published. These dates follow the 41st and 42nd cycles and are expected, not confirmed.
| When | Indian academic context | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 to January 2027 | Odd semester ends; final-year Master’s projects under way | Shortlist programs from the 42nd list and read each attachment |
| February to March 2027 | Even a semester begins | Get referee commitments, prepare translations, and do your research project |
| April to May 2027 | Final-year exams and project submissions | Expected: the 43rd call opens (the 42nd opened 22 April; the 41st was published 7 May); the first-session deadline is expected to be late May to early June |
| June 2027 | Results season | Expected: first-session assessments and interviews (June in the 42nd cycle) |
| Late July to August 2027 | Summer break | Expected: second session, with places not guaranteed in every program |
| September to October 2027 | New academic year | Expected: rankings, enrollment within 5 working days, Universitaly and visa; finish your degree by 31 October if you applied as a final-year student |
| 1 November 2027 | Not applicable | Programs conventionally start |
After the PhD: Staying in Italy and Comparing Routes
A funded PhD in Italy can lead to the Italian job market. For what comes after graduation, read our counselors’ answer on the Italian job-search permit and our post-study work guide.
If you are comparing funded PhD routes across countries, our guide to a PhD in Germany shows how another system works.
Related question: Can I get a job search permit in Italy after I finish my studies?
Related reading: Post-Study Work Visa in Italy
3 Takeaways for University of Trieste PhD Scholarships
- The call labelled “University of Trieste PhD Scholarships 2027” is the 42nd cycle and has closed; a plan for the 43rd call is expected in spring 2027 but not yet announced.
- The scholarship is a stipend of Rs.17.61L (€16,243) a year gross, about Rs.1.30L (€1,200) a month net, plus a research budget. Airfare, housing, and health insurance are not listed, so budget for them.
- You need a Master’s-level degree, and after selection you have only 5 working days to enrol, so keep your apostilled documents and translations ready early.
Verified by: LeapScholar’s Italy counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through Italian university applications, Universitaly pre-enrollment, scholarship applications, and Italian student visa processes.
Have questions about University of Trieste PhD scholarships or funded PhDs in Italy? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Trieste PhD Scholarships
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Is the University of Trieste PhD scholarships 2027 call open?
No. The call that most sites refer to as “2027” is actually the 42nd cycle for the academic year 2026/27, which closed on 25 May 2026 (first session) and 31 August 2026 (second session). The 43rd call has not been announced, and it is expected to follow in spring 2027.
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How much is the University of Trieste PhD scholarship in rupees?
The standard scholarship is €16,243 a year gross, about Rs.17.61L, paid monthly. After the student’s share of INPS contributions, take-home is about €1,200 a month, roughly Rs.1.30L. Some scholarships carry a higher amount, stated in each program’s attachment.
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Can Indian students apply for University of Trieste PhD scholarships?
Yes. University of Trieste PhD scholarships for Indian students use the same call as everyone else, and their degree conditions apply to any nationality, EU or non-EU. You need a Master’s-level qualification that gives access to doctoral studies in India, or you must graduate by 31 October of the cycle year. The Board of Examiners assesses your degree for admission.
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Does the University of Trieste PhD scholarship cover tuition, accommodation, and health insurance?
The call lists a stipend, a research budget of at least 10% of the scholarship, and workplace accident and liability insurance. Tuition is paid “where applicable” plus a regional fee. Accommodation, airfare, and health insurance are not listed, so plan to pay for them yourself.
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When will the next University of Trieste PhD call open?
It is not announced. The 41st call was published in May 2025, and the 42nd opened on 22 April 2026, so expect the 43rd between April and May 2027. Confirm the dates on the University of Trieste PhD call page before you plan around them.
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Do I need to know Italian for a PhD at the University of Trieste?
The call tests English at the interview and says a minimum level may be required. It sets no general Italian requirement, but each program attachment can add conditions, especially in the humanities. Check your program’s attachment before applying.
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Can I work or hold another scholarship during the PhD?
Work income must stay at or below €15,000 before tax, or the scholarship is suspended and repaid. The scholarship cannot be combined with other fellowships, except for those that support research stays abroad. Outside work needs approval from the Doctoral Board.
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What if I am offered a PhD place without a scholarship?
You can irrevocably decline the non-funded place and apply for a vacant funded place before the enrollment deadline. Funded places are offered in rank order, so a strong ranking and project fit matter most.
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