International School of Advanced Studies

Key principle

Academic responsibilities are shared among the PhD Programme, the School of Advanced Studies and the relevant partner institutions. Candidates should identify the appropriate academic or administrative contact before submitting a request or starting an activity requiring authorization.

01 — Regulatory framework

Starting from Cycle XXXVIII, the national framework governing PhD Programmes, including their accreditation, is established by Ministerial Decree No. 226/2021.

At UNICAM, PhD Programmes are governed by the applicable national legislation and by the University regulations. Additional provisions may apply to joint programmes, internationally funded positions, specific scholarships and agreements with other public or private institutions.

Consult the UNICAM Regulations →

02 — PhD Programmes and Academic Boards

The UNICAM doctoral pathway is organised into PhD Programmes, which may be further structured into curricula.

Each PhD Programme has an Academic Board and a Programme Coordinator. PhD candidate representatives participate in the Academic Board in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The Academic Board is responsible for the organisation of the Programme, the supervision of candidates’ research and training pathways, annual progress evaluations and the academic decisions required throughout the doctoral career.

03 — School of Advanced Studies

The School of Advanced Studies is the main University structure supporting and coordinating UNICAM PhD education.

Its governing body is the SAS Council, which includes the Director, the Deputy Director, Programme and curriculum coordinators and PhD candidate representatives, in accordance with the School’s regulations.

The Advanced Studies Office provides administrative support to PhD candidates, supervisors, coordinators and the School’s governing bodies. It assists with doctoral careers, scholarships, mobility, missions, research budgets, thesis procedures and other administrative requirements.

04 — Supervisors and partner institutions

The Academic Board assigns at least one Supervisor to each UNICAM PhD candidate, based on the candidate’s research project, Programme and curriculum.

The Supervisor supports the development of the research project, monitors progress and helps the candidate define an appropriate research and training pathway. One or more co-supervisors may also be appointed when required by the project or by a specific agreement.

In joint PhD Programmes, PhD Programmes of National Interest and programmes involving external institutions, the coordinating or partner institution may also provide academic and administrative contacts. Candidates must therefore follow both the UNICAM procedures and any additional rules established by the relevant agreement or funding programme.

Specific funding conditions

Additional obligations may apply

Scholarships and positions funded through specific programmes or agreements may be subject to requirements in addition to the ordinary obligations of the PhD Programme.

These conditions may derive, for example, from PON, PNRR, PRIN or European funding programmes, co-tutelle agreements, joint doctoral arrangements or funding provided by other public or private institutions. Candidates must review and accept the applicable conditions when accepting the scholarship or position.

Additional requirements may include:

• specific limits on income from external working activities;
• exclusive or predominant commitment to the funded research project;
• additional monitoring, reporting or documentation requirements;
• mandatory mobility, training or collaboration activities;
• use of funding logos and acknowledgements in publications, presentations and communication materials.

Not sure which rules apply?

Candidates and supervisors should consult the Programme Coordinator or the Advanced Studies Office whenever a scholarship, research position or partnership agreement provides conditions that differ from the ordinary UNICAM doctoral framework.