Are you a dedicated researcher looking to pursue a PhD in Europe without the heavy financial burden? Do you want to build your expertise at a respected institution while earning a guaranteed monthly stipend? The University of Trieste is now accepting applications for its 42nd cycle of Doctoral Programmed for the 2026/2027 academic year, and this may be exactly the opportunity you have been searching for.

Located in Italy, the University of Trieste offers three-year, fully funded doctoral places across 15 diverse fields of study, ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Molecular Biomedicine. Supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, this program provides a comprehensive package including a €16,243 annual stipend, extra funds for research abroad, and a dedicated research budget. Most notably, the €30 application fee is completely waived for applicants from 46 developing countries, including Afghanistan.

If you are ready to take the next major step in your academic career and conduct impactful research in Italy, read on to discover the financial benefits, the full list of eligible PhD programs, and how to submit a strong application before the 31 August 2026 deadline.

Quick Overview

Important Dates

Financial Benefits

If you are selected for a funded position at the University of Trieste, your scholarship package includes:

• Annual Stipend: A standard yearly stipend of €16,243 (gross amount, paid monthly).
• Mobility Bonus: A 50% increase in your monthly scholarship amount during authorized research stays abroad.
• Research Budget: An additional budget equal to at least 10% of the scholarship value to cover your specific research expenses.
• Application Fee Exemption: Applicants from designated developing countries do not have to pay the standard €30 application fee.

Fields of Study

The University of Trieste offers Doctoral Programmes across the following 15 distinct academic areas:

• Applied Data  Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation
• Molecular Biomedicine
• Chemistry
• Circular Economy
• Philosophy, History and Political Studies
• Physics
• Civil-environmental Engineering and Architecture
• Industrial and Information Engineering
• Personalized Medicine and Innovative Therapies
• Nanotechnology
• Neural and Cognitive  Sciences
• Earth Science, Fluid-dynamics and Mathematics (Interactions and methods)
• Advanced Interdisciplinary Legal Studies
• Transcultural and Transmedia Studies: Literature, Linguistics, Interpreting and Translation

Application Fee Waiver: Eligible Countries

The University of Trieste explicitly waives the €30 application fee for citizens of the following developing countries (D.M. no. 176/2026). If you belong to one of these nations, your application is free:

 Note: Afghanistan is included in the eligible countries list for the application fee waiver. Afghan students are highly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the University of Trieste PhD Programmers, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Required Documents

When preparing your application on the Esse3 portal, you will need to upload the following documents:

• Copy of your academic qualifications (Master’s Degree)
• Transcripts of Records
• English or Italian translations of your certificates
• Valid proof of identity
• Program-specific documents (CV, research proposal, reference letters, etc.)

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for a PhD at the University of Trieste, follow these steps carefully:

1. Register on the University of Trieste website (Esse3 portal) to obtain your login credentials.
2. Log in and select your desired PhD programmer under *Menu > Home > Admission test*.
3. Complete the online application and upload all required documents.
4. Ensure all your reference letters (if required) are uploaded by your referees through the portal.