Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa runs this English-taught PhD where law meets politics. Research spans agricultural, food and environmental law; public international law; European studies; political philosophy; and international relations.
Students live in Pisa for three years: courses in year one, at least six months of research abroad in year two, then the thesis. Until 2025–26 it ran as the PhD in Human Rights, Global Politics and Sustainability.
Benefits & funding
- Five funded places in the 2026–27 call; more may follow if external funding arrives.
- €19,740 gross a year scholarship plus a €2,200 gross housing allowance, about €1,600 net a month, for three years.
- 26 free canteen meals a month; scholarship raised 50% during research abroad; a research budget of 10% of the scholarship.
Eligibility
- A master’s degree or equivalent (an Italian second-level degree or a recognised foreign master’s); applicants may apply if they will hold it by 30 September of the admission year.
- Open to all nationalities; no residence requirement (2025–26 call).
- Not open to anyone who has already received an Italian PhD scholarship, even one instalment (2025–26 call).
- Full-time, exclusive commitment; no other work during the PhD.
- English proficiency expected; the project must cover at least two of the five research areas, naming a main and a complementary one.
Can you apply?
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Application process
- 1Apply online through Sant’Anna’s Esse3 portal by the deadline.
- 2Attach ID, degree certificate with transcript, CV, motivation letter and a research project in English of up to 3,000 words excluding bibliography (2025–26 factsheet); a missing mandatory document means exclusion.
- 3Optionally name up to three academic referees; their letters are due three days after the deadline.
- 4Shortlisted candidates take an interview in English by video conference.
Program timeline
15 May 2026, 12:00 CEST
2026–27 application deadline (closed)
Interviews
15 June 2026
Ranking list
By 15 July 2026
Next call expected
Early 2027 (estimate)