36 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Sustainable Development and Climate Change (Study in Italy)

Join the PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change, a transformative programme coordinated by IUSS Pavia, Italy, designed to tackle global challenges through a multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary approach. Integrating environment, society, technology, economy, and health, this initiative aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With a network of over 50 public and private research centers worldwide, this 3-year, English-taught programme empowers candidates to drive impactful research for a sustainable future. Check more PhD positions here.

Programme Overview

• Duration: 3 years, fully in English
• Global Network: Over 50 partner universities and research institutions
• International Experience: Minimum 6 months of research abroad (up to 12 months)
• Faculty: Over 200 researchers and professors
• Funding: 36 fully funded scholarships for the 41st cycle (2025)
• Training: Over 160 hours of multi-disciplinary seminars and specialized courses
• Research Focus: Aligned with SDGs, covering environment, society, technology, economy, and health

Research Structure and Curricula

The programme centers on one core research topic—sustainable development and climate change—and offers three specialized curricula:

• CU-Alpha: Earth Systems and the Environment
• CU-Beta: Socio-Economic Risk and Impacts
• CU-Gamma: Technology and Territory

See also: 15 Fully Funded PhD Scholarship Opportunities at University of Bergen, Norway

Research Topics

• Sustainable forest management: challenges and innovative solutions for climate-resilient ecosystems
• Redefining hydrological extremes in a changing climate: a new paradigm for data-scarce modelling
• Flood risk in urban areas under climate change: risk management
• Mapping emerging ESG-related technologies through secondary data – a platform-based approach
• Development of regional strategies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change
• Decarbonisation of urban systems
• Urban resilience to climate change: adaptation and community engagement strategies
• Analysis of cost and effectiveness of flood risk management measures in Italy and Europe
• Digital and remote neuropsychology assessment for sustainable and equitable healthcare practices
• Optimization of beef production systems facing climate change
• Multilevel and multifactorial evaluation of levee performance for climate change adaptation (MELE)
• Understanding sustainable development between institutional arrangements and market regulation
• Abandonment of remote rural areas: trade-offs for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and land use
• Health and climate change: reducing inequalities and achieving sustainable development
• Strategies for the environmental improvement of textile products in the Lombardy region
• Ethics and regulation of climate change: analysis and proposal of adaptation and mitigation models
• Climate change & transportation: a critical and complex interrelationship
• Ethics of emergency and environmental humanities
• Regulatory dimension of the public policies oriented to decarbonization and climate neutrality
• Green transition and gender mainstreaming
• Use of satellite data for territorial sustainability analysis
• Language and metaphors in underserved populations to promote environmental literacy
• Computational modeling of atmospheric multiphase chemical processes
• Earth observation in crises monitoring and civil protection
• Improving small-scale ocean predictions with probabilistic forecasting
• Lifecourse approaches to investigate long-term effects of climate change-related environmental risks
• Numerical modeling of tornado winds in the Po Valley
• Study on detection and degradation of small microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic environments
• Towards a better understanding of changes in extreme rainfall in Mediterranean area
• Assessing the impact of global warming on endocrine disruptors using the zebrafish model
• The effect of climate-related combined stresses on food security and quality
• Geophysical investigations of cryosphere as tool for assessing impacts of climate change
• Multi-risk methods for assessing climate resilience and impacts on socio-ecological systems
• Urban air pollution toxicity by spatial source-resolved modelling of aerosol oxidative potential
• Modelling climate change impacts on air pollution in Europe under current and future scenarios
• Development of sustainable biotechnologies for metal recovery from vehicle batteries and PCBs

See also: CYD Doctoral Fellowships in Switzerland 2025

Scholarship and Funding Details

The 41st cycle (2025) offers 36 fully funded scholarships, each valued at €19,021.02 per year (gross, including National Social Security Contributions (INPS)). Key details include:

• Taxation: Scholarships are exempt from IRPEF tax but subject to INPS “gestione separata” contributions
• Eligibility Restriction: Candidates who have previously received a doctoral scholarship (even partially) are ineligible.
• Increased Funding Abroad: 50% increase during international research periods (up to 12 months).
• Research Budget: At least 20% of the scholarship amount (€3,804.20 annually) for research-related expenses in Italy and abroad, starting from the second year.
• Insurance: The School provides accident and civil liability insurance for the entire programme duration.
• Mobility Funds: Support for research stays at foreign institutions.

Admission Requirements

Applications are open to all qualified candidates, regardless of age or nationality. Eligible candidates must have:

• Academic Qualifications:
  • Italian Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale, Laurea Specialistica, or Laurea Vecchio Ordinamento).
  • Equivalent foreign academic qualification (comparable in duration and content to an Italian Master’s degree), recognized by the Selection Board as suitable.
• Pending Graduates: Candidates who have not yet obtained their degree may apply, provided they complete it by 1 November 2025 (programme start date).
• Language: Proficiency in English (B2 level or higher) is required; Italian is not mandatory but may be beneficial for specific topics.

Check also: 21 Fully Funded PhD Positions at University of Nottingham

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the PICA platform and include:

1. Personal Information
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Valid ID
4. Research Proposal
5. Letter of Purpose
6. Academic Qualifications
7. Reference Letters: Up to 2 letters from academic/professional referees (optional).
8. English Proficiency: Certification (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) or self-declaration of B2 level or higher.
9. Other Documents: Proof of degree equivalence (for foreign degrees) and additional certifications.

Note: Incomplete applications or those not meeting requirements will be excluded. Candidates must select a curriculum and may indicate a preferred research topic.

Check also: Finland Government Scholarships

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 22 August 2025, 1:00 PM CEST
• Admission to Oral Exam: 19 September 2025
• Oral Exam: 6 October 2025 (remote via video conference)
• Final Admission Results: October 2025
• Programme Start: 1 November 2025

How to Apply

Apply through the PICA platform and download the official call for details.

• Apply Now: Application Portal
• Download Call for Applicants: 41st Cycle Details