Fellowship PhD ASI and ACN

A public selection has been announced at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa for admission to 4 additional scholarship-funded positions for the academic year 2026/2027.

The scholarships, which are linked to specific research topics, are funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN).

EXTENSION OF DEADLINE

•    New Application Deadline: September  25^th, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (Italian time / CEST)

•    New Starting Date: November 1^st, 2026 (enrolment deadline by October 31^st, 2026)

•    Publication of Ranking List : by October 20^th, 2026

Applicants who have already submitted their application can modify or integrate their documentation until the new deadline.

NOTE: Please note that all communications relating to the Call (results, rankings, examination timetables and any changes) will be published exclusively on this web page. It is the candidates’ responsibility to check the website regularly; no individual notifications will be sent.

Opportunities and Research Topics

The selection concerns positions distributed across the following Ph.D. Courses:

Please note: Candidates are strongly recommended to carefully consult the Call for Applications, the specific Ph.D. Course Factsheets, and the Project factsheets attached to the call. These documents contain detailed information, specific requirements, and the guidelines necessary for drafting and submitting the research project.

Admission Requirements

The selection is intended to candidates of any nationality who hold:
•    Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale, Specialistica, Vecchio Ordinamento) or an equivalent academic qualification obtained abroad.
•    Applications are also open to students who will obtain their Master’s Degree by October 31^st, 2026.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the School's Esse3 portal: Access Esse3 to apply

Mandatory Documents to Attach (in PDF format):

• Valid ID Document: for non-EU citizens, a legible copy of their passport.
• Degree Certificate/Transcript (depending on the country of issuance):
  • If the degree was obtained (or is to be obtained) in Italy: only a self-declaration is required (submitted as a substitute declaration under D.P.R. 445/2000), containing the list of completed exams, grades, and respective CFUs/credits.
  • If the degree was obtained (or is to be obtained) abroad: an official degree certificate (or enrolment certificate if the Master’s Degree is yet to be obtained) and academic transcript (listing exams, grades, credits, and the grading scale) are required; all these documents must be written in English.
• Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum - in Italian or English.
• Motivational Letter - in Italian or English.
• Research Project: in Italian or English, which must be closely aligned with the specific theme of the chosen scholarship, funder penalty of ineligibility.

To correctly prepare your research project, please consult the technical factsheets (ACN) and the guidelines (ASI) attached to this page.

Contacts and Information

• U.O. Ph.D. Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna: phdoffice@santannapisa.it
• Ph.D. BioRobotics: info-phdbiorobotics@santannapisa.it
• Ph.D. Emerging Digital Technologies: info-phdtecip@santannapisa.it
• Ph.D. Law: info-phddirpolis@santannpisa.it

To review the evaluation criteria, interview dates (which will be held in person or online via Teams/WebEx), and other details, please download the official Call for Applications and the course factsheets attached below.

Check out our FAQ !

Everything you need to know about the Call: from the admission requirements to the application procedure, the documents to be submitted, and the evaluation criteria.

Do you need more information? Read our GUIDE.