The University of Florence has announced its 42nd-cycle PEGASO PhD Programmes for the 2026/2027 academic year. The three-year doctoral programmes are scheduled to begin on 1 November 2026. Scholarship recipients receive €16,243 annually before applicable social security charges. Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon CEST on 6 August 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: PEGASO PhD Programmes – 42nd Cycle
Category: PhD Admission Call
Host: University of Florence
Country: Italy
Duration: Three years
Programme Start: 1 November 2026
Annual Scholarship: €16,243 before recipient social security charges
Application Deadline: 6 August 2026 at 12:00 noon CEST
About the University of Florence PEGASO PhD Programmes
The call governs admission to PEGASO PhD programmes with administrative headquarters at the University of Florence. The Regione Toscana funds PEGASO Scholarships through PR ESF 2021/27 resources under the Giovanisì framework.
Individual doctoral programme factsheets specify the available positions, scholarships, research topics, reserved places, possible positions without scholarships, admission tests, and study periods abroad. The activation of each programme remains subject to successful accreditation by the Italian Ministry of University and Research.
The English-language call is provided for information. The official Italian announcement remains the legally binding version.
Programme Duration and Attendance
The doctoral programmes last three years and require full-time attendance. Enrolled doctoral students must continuously participate in study and research activities.
Students must also complete the period abroad stated in their programme factsheet. During the three-year programme, they must obtain at least six credits through courses focused on complementary skills.
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Scholarship and Research Support
The annual doctoral scholarship is €16,243 before social security charges payable by the recipient. Payments are made monthly in arrears.
Confirmed financial and research support includes:
✓ Annual scholarship of €16,243, where awarded
✓ A 50% scholarship increase during eligible research periods abroad
✓ Increased support for up to 12 months abroad, or up to 18 months in specified joint arrangements
✓ A research budget for activities in Italy and abroad
✓ Research funding equal to at least 10% of the annual scholarship amount
The research budget and the increase for periods abroad are also available to doctoral students admitted without a scholarship. Applicants should consult the individual programme factsheets to determine which positions include scholarships.
One-Off Support for Eligible International PhD Students
The University of Florence also provides one-off financial support of up to €5,000 through sponsorship from the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze.
The primary eligibility conditions are:
• Residence in a country outside the European Union
• An entry qualification obtained from a foreign institution
• Age below 35
Eligible beneficiaries are identified automatically by the University. A separate application is not required. The amount depends on the available resources and the total number of eligible beneficiaries. Payment is made after the beneficiary enters Italy.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants may apply without general age or citizenship restrictions when they hold an eligible academic qualification.
Accepted qualifications include:
• A master’s degree awarded under the applicable Italian university system
• A degree completed under an earlier Italian system with a legal duration of at least four years
• A second-level academic qualification from an eligible Italian AFAM institution
• A foreign university qualification equivalent to the Italian degree required for admission
Candidates who will receive the required qualification by the programme start date may also apply. They will be admitted conditionally and must notify the Doctoral Office within ten days of receiving the qualification.
Additional Requirements for PEGASO Scholarships
The general admission rules and the specific PEGASO Scholarship rules are not identical. Applicants seeking a Regione Toscana PEGASO Scholarship must also:
• Be under 35 when submitting the application
• Have English-language knowledge equivalent to B2 level
Successful scholarship recipients must undertake the study, research, training, and skills-development activities required by the call.
These commitments may include:
• At least six months of study and research abroad during the programme
• At least 12 months abroad for recipients of designated international scholarships
• At least three months of training or research in an applied setting for specified research-topic scholarships
• Courses covering soft skills and knowledge of the business and research sectors
Exceptions may apply to research topics that do not require a period abroad.
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Required Application Documents
Applications must include the documents required by the general call and the selected doctoral programme factsheet.
All applicants must upload:
• A copy of a valid identity document
• Academic documentation corresponding to the qualification used for admission
• Any additional documents required by the selected PhD programme in Annex 2
Applicants with Italian qualifications must provide a self-declaration listing examinations, credits, grades, thesis information, and the final degree result.
Applicants with qualifications awarded abroad must provide copies of their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, or combined-cycle degree. The documentation must include examinations, credits, grades, the grading scale, thesis title, and graduation result.
Foreign Academic Qualifications
Applicants holding foreign qualifications may submit translations in Italian or English. A translation prepared by the applicant is accepted during the application stage under the applicant’s responsibility.
By the beginning of the programme, successful applicants must provide the required legalized and translated documents. They must also submit one of the following, as applicable:
• A Declaration of Value issued by the relevant Italian diplomatic authority
• Statements of comparability and verification issued by CIMEA
• A diploma supplement for qualifications obtained in a European Union country
Non-EU citizens residing abroad must register through the Universitaly portal and apply for the relevant postgraduate entry visa.
Application Fee
Each application requires a non-refundable contribution of €30. Applicants must complete the payment through the PagoPA system by the deadline.
Candidates applying to more than one doctoral programme must submit a separate application and pay the required fee for each programme. An application is considered complete only after payment has been made.
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Admission and Selection Process
Admission is based on a comparative selection process. The assessment examines the applicant’s academic preparation, research ability, and suitability for doctoral research.
The procedure includes:
• Evaluation of academic qualifications
• Evaluation of the submitted research project
• Preliminary selection by the Admission Board
• An interview for candidates who achieve the required preliminary score
• Preparation of the final merit ranking
Depending on the selected programme, interviews may take place in person or by videoconference. Applicants seeking an online interview must select that option when submitting the application.
How to Submit an Application
Applicants must complete the official online application process.
The main steps are:
• Register through the University of Florence application portal
• Select the intended doctoral programme
• Select the relevant curriculum and scholarship positions, where applicable
• Complete all required sections of the online form
• Upload the required academic and supporting documents
• Pay the €30 non-refundable application fee
• Close and submit the application before the deadline
A closed application cannot be edited or supplemented. Applicants needing to make changes must request cancellation and submit a new application before the deadline.
Key Dates
• Online applications opened: 7 July 2026
• Application deadline: 6 August 2026 at 12:00 noon CEST
• Final ranking lists published by: 30 September 2026
• Enrolment deadline for successful candidates: 7 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CEST
• Planned programme start: 1 November 2026
Applicants are responsible for monitoring the University website and their reserved area for official notices and enrolment updates.
Application Deadline
Applications for the University of Florence PEGASO PhD Programmes must be completed by 12:00 noon CEST on 6 August 2026. The online service closes automatically at the stated time.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application portal below.
