Call of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice PhD Positions 2026/27 – 42nd Cycle

Ca’ Foscari University of Venice has announced its call for applications for the 42nd cycle of PhD programmes for the 2026/27 academic year. The call includes admission to the PhD Programme in Polar Sciences, as well as additional PhD places with scholarships in Computer Science, Modern Languages, Cultures and Societies and Linguistics, and Environmental Sciences.

These PhD opportunities are aimed primarily at early-stage researchers and graduates interested in pursuing advanced academic research in an international university environment. The call is particularly relevant to candidates looking for fully funded or scholarship-supported PhD opportunities in Italy, with research activities that may involve international mobility. The call was published on July 21, 2026, and the application deadline is September 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Italian time. Applications must be submitted through the online procedure specified in the official call.

Key Details

Detail	Information
University	Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Location	Venice, Italy
Academic year	2026/27
PhD cycle	42nd cycle
Main PhD programme	Polar Sciences
Additional PhD areas	Computer Science; Modern Languages, Cultures and Societies and Linguistics; Environmental Sciences
Funding	PhD places with scholarships
Target applicants	Early-stage researchers / postgraduate candidates
International mobility	Yes
Application deadline	September 9, 2026
Deadline time	1:00 p.m. Italian time
Degree deadline for graduating applicants	November 15, 2026
Funding institution	Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia
Funding body type	Public research institution
Country	Italy
Contact email	phd.application@unive.it

PhD Research Areas at Ca’ Foscari University

The 2026/27 call covers several disciplinary areas, creating opportunities for candidates from different academic backgrounds. The listed competitive sectors include Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Ancient, Philological-Literary and Historical-Artistic Sciences, Mathematical and Computer Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

The central programme in this call is the PhD in Polar Sciences, while additional scholarship-supported places are available in selected doctoral programmes. because research topics, available positions, academic requirements and selection procedures may differ between programmes. This makes it important to identify the doctoral programme that best matches your academic qualifications and research interests before submitting an application.

Who Can Apply?

Candidates may apply if they hold an eligible second-cycle academic qualification. Accepted qualifications include an Italian Laurea Specialistica or Laurea Magistrale, an older Italian university degree obtained under the previous degree system, or a second-level qualification awarded by an AFAM institution.

Applicants with a Master’s degree obtained outside Italy may also be eligible when the qualification is comparable to the Italian degree required for admission in terms of academic level and disciplinary field. The suitability of an international qualification is subject to the requirements specified in the relevant PhD programme documentation.

Importantly, students who have not yet completed their degree may also apply, provided that they obtain the required qualification by November 15, 2026. Applicants should nevertheless check the specific requirements for their chosen doctoral programme, as individual programmes may establish additional academic conditions.

Selection Process:

Admission to the PhD programmes takes place through a competitive selection procedure. According to the call, the process includes an evaluation of academic qualifications and an oral examination, with the oral examination also potentially conducted by videoconference. These programme-specific documents identify the research topics, number of available positions, admission requirements and criteria used to establish the final ranking of candidates.

Applicants should therefore review the relevant programme sheet carefully rather than relying only on the general admission requirements. Academic background, research interests and any additional requirements should be aligned with the doctoral programme selected.

International Applicants and Mobility

The call has an international dimension, with international mobility required. Research associated with the opportunity may be conducted across multiple geographical regions, including Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North America and South America.

Funding and Scholarship Information

The opportunity is funded by Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, a public research institution based in Venice, Italy. The call specifically refers to additional places with scholarships for the relevant doctoral programmes. The information provided does not indicate that the scholarships are financed or co-financed through an EU Research Framework Programme. Applicants should consult the official programme documentation for the exact number of funded positions, scholarship conditions and any programme-specific funding information.

Because funding arrangements can differ between doctoral programmes and positions, candidates should verify the applicable scholarship details in the official call before making financial or relocation decisions. Ca’ Foscari’s 42nd-cycle call brings together doctoral research opportunities across scientific, technological, environmental and humanities-related disciplines. The combination of scholarship-supported places, international research mobility and multiple research areas makes the call relevant to graduates seeking doctoral study in Italy.

For prospective international PhD students, the opportunity also provides a route into an Italian research university while allowing research activities to have an international dimension. Candidates should focus on the research fit of the programme, eligibility requirements and selection criteria when deciding whether to apply.

Important Dates:

• Application deadline: September 9, 2026
• Application deadline time: 1:00 p.m. Italian time
• Deadline for graduating applicants to obtain their degree: November 15, 2026
• PhD cycle: 42nd cycle
• Academic year: 2026/27

Application Deadline and How to Apply:

The deadline for applications is September 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Italian time. Applications submitted after the deadline or through procedures other than those specified in the call may be excluded from the selection process: https://www.unive.it/web/it/102/home | https://www.unive.it/web/en/221/home & https://www.unive.it/web/it/259/bando-annuale | https://www.unive.it/web/en/2161/annual-call

Candidates should complete the application exclusively through the online procedure indicated by Ca’ Foscari University. Before submitting an application, prospective PhD students should check the relevant programme information, verify their academic eligibility, review the research topics and prepare all required documentation.

Official call and application information:
Ca’ Foscari University – Annual PhD Call

University website:
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

For application-related questions, the listed contact email is phd.application@unive.it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for the Ca’ Foscari University PhD call 2026/27?

The application deadline is September 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Italian time. Candidates must follow the online application procedure specified in the official call.

Which PhD programmes are included in the call?

The call covers admission to the PhD Programme in Polar Sciences and additional scholarship-supported places in Computer Science, Modern Languages, Cultures and Societies and Linguistics, and Environmental Sciences.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The call accepts eligible candidates with appropriate qualifications, including comparable Master’s-level qualifications obtained abroad. Candidates must satisfy the requirements of the specific PhD programme they select.

Can students who have not graduated yet apply?

Yes. Graduating students may apply provided they obtain the required degree by November 15, 2026.

What degrees are accepted?

Eligible qualifications can include an Italian Laurea Specialistica or Laurea Magistrale, certain older Italian degrees, second-level AFAM qualifications, and comparable foreign Master’s degrees. Programme-specific requirements should be checked in Annex A.

How are PhD candidates selected?

The selection process includes evaluation of academic qualifications and an oral examination. The oral examination may also be conducted by videoconference. Exact criteria vary by PhD programme.

Is international mobility required?

Yes. The call indicates that international mobility is required, and research may be conducted in different regions around the world.