Apply (2026)
PHD ADMISSIONS · A.Y. 2026/2027
Cycle XLII admission procedures
Two new admission opportunities are available for the 42nd cycle through separate second-session procedures: six PhD scholarships across UNICAM programmes and one scholarship in the National PhD Programme in Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience, all funded by Regione Marche. Final rankings have also been published for both first-session admission procedures.
IMPORTANT · SECOND SESSION ONLY
Specific eligibility requirements for regional scholarships
In addition to the ordinary PhD admission requirements, applicants for both second-session procedures must meet all the following conditions on the date they submit their application:
Admission qualification already awarded. Applicants must already hold the degree required for access to the PhD. Applications based on a degree expected to be awarded later are not eligible for these procedures.
Employment status. Applicants must be inactive, not in employment or unemployed, in accordance with the requirements of the regional funding programme.
Residence or domicile in the Marche Region. Applicants must either be resident in the Marche Region or have been domiciled in the regional territory for at least six months.
Age. Applicants must be under 36 years of age.
Recipients of these scholarships may not be simultaneously enrolled in another university programme during the PhD. Specific obligations concerning research activities, mobility and regional funding also apply. Read Articles 2, 3 and 9 of the relevant official Call before applying.
UNICAM Second Call · eligibility requirements → TAN Second Call · eligibility requirements →
01 · SECOND CALL · UNICAM SCHOLARSHIPS
Five PhD Programmes · Six Research Topics
The UNICAM Second Call offers six scholarships, each associated with a specific Research Topic. Annex 1 provides the full project descriptions, curricula, supervisors and additional requirements. The separate TAN Second Call is presented below in the dedicated Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience section.
| PhD Programme | Scholarship code | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology | CHEMREG 1 | Polymeric Materials with Antibacterial and Reparative Activity for Advanced Ophthalmic Devices: Production via Electrospinning and Therapeutic Applications |
| Computer Science and Mathematics | CSMATHREG 1 | Process-Driven Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins for Autonomous Production Systems |
| Legal and Social Sciences | LEGREG 1 | GeoWood Marche – Geographical Indications, Design and Innovation to Enhance the Competitiveness of the Marche Wood and Furniture Sector |
| Life and Health Sciences | LIFEREG 1 | Light Therapy and Alzheimer's Disease: Effects on NREM Sleep Microstructure and a Clinical Study of Neurophysiological Biomarkers |
| Life and Health Sciences | LIFEREG 2 | Interconnected Microbiota and Brain: Innovative Postbiotic-Based Strategies for Healthy and Resilient Aging |
| Physics, Earth and Materials Sciences | PEMSREG 1 | Lightweight/insulating eco-sustainable composites based on alkali-activated binders for construction applications |
Available positions: six funded scholarships under this UNICAM Call. No positions without a scholarship are available in this procedure. One additional Regione Marche-funded scholarship is available through the separate TAN Second Call.
02 · HOW TO APPLY
Use the PICA procedure corresponding to your Call
Applications must be completed in English and submitted exclusively online. The UNICAM Second Call and the TAN Second Call use different PICA procedures. Always check that you are applying through the portal corresponding to the scholarship and PhD Programme you selected.
APPLICATION & PAYMENT
Complete the application and pay the non-refundable €20 fee for each application by 22 October 2026, 1:00 p.m. Italian time. Saving a draft or paying the fee alone does not constitute submission: complete the final submission procedure and check for PICA's confirmation email.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Prepare the required identity document, CV, a short hypothetical research project in English consistent with your Research Topic, a motivation letter in English or Italian and any other documents and declarations required by the relevant Call and PICA form. The research proposal is relevant to the evaluation and binding for the research activities that may subsequently be carried out.
REFERENCE LETTERS
Up to three reference letters may be requested after final submission, through the dedicated PICA function. They are recommended but not mandatory. Referees must submit their letters by 23 October 2026, 1:00 p.m. Italian time.
UNICAM Second Call PICA → TAN Second Call PICA → UNICAM Call, Annex 1 & guidelines →
Use the correct PICA link for the admission procedure you selected. The relevant official Call always takes precedence over screenshots or general examples in the application guidelines.
03 · SECOND-SESSION TIMELINE
Key dates and next steps
22 October 2026 · 1:00 p.m.
Deadline for final submission of applications and payment of the €20 fee for each application.
23 October 2026 · 1:00 p.m.
Deadline for receipt of any reference letters submitted by referees through PICA.
26 and/or 27 October 2026
Remote interviews for shortlisted candidates. The timetable and virtual meeting details will be published on the relevant official UNICAM Call page.
28 October 2026 · provisional
Expected publication of final merit rankings, subject to changes communicated on the relevant official Call page.
31 October 2026
Deadline for acceptance of awarded positions. Applicants with foreign qualifications must also meet the specific document-submission requirements described in Article 9 of the relevant Call by this date.
1 November 2026
Mandatory starting date of the PhD Programme.
Official notifications: interview notices, any changes, shortlists and final rankings will be published on the relevant UNICAM Call page. Candidates must monitor the correct page regularly; publication constitutes official notification.
IMPORTANT · FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS
Check the 31 October documentation deadline before applying
Applicants who obtained their admission qualification abroad must provide the required CIMEA documentation (comparability and verification) or a Declaration of Value, together with the additional qualification documents specified in Article 9 of the relevant Call. The required recognition documentation must be issued and sent to dottorato@unicam.it by 31 October 2026, under the conditions and consequences set out in the Call.
The Calls also require first- and second-cycle degree documentation and transcripts, with official translations where applicable. Applicants should verify immediately whether they can obtain all documents within the specified timeframe.
UNICAM Second Call · Article 9 → TAN Second Call · Article 9 →
04 · FIRST SESSION · UNICAM PHD PROGRAMMES
Main Cycle XLII Call for Applications
APPLICATIONS CLOSED · FINAL RANKINGS PUBLISHED 21 SEPTEMBER 2026
The first-session application deadline expired on 24 July 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Italian time. The selection interviews have been completed and the final merit rankings were published on 21 September 2026. Candidates should consult the official results and accompanying notices for the applicable acceptance and enrolment instructions. The newly opened Regione Marche Second Call above is a separate selection procedure with different eligibility requirements and deadlines.
First-session rankings & official notices → First-session admission details → First-session PICA portal · closed →
05 · NATIONAL PHD PROGRAMME · SEPARATE PROCEDURES
Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience
SECOND SESSION OPEN · FIRST-SESSION FINAL RANKINGS PUBLISHED
A new second-session selection is open for 1 Regione Marche-funded scholarship in Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience. Applications must be submitted through the dedicated TAN PICA procedure by 22 October 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Italian time. The available Research Topic is Chronic pain and neurodegeneration: a translational approach to understanding biological mechanisms and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Final merit rankings for the TAN first-session procedure have also been published.
TAN Second Call & documents → TAN Second Call PICA → TAN first-session rankings →
CHECK THE CORRECT ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Different Calls have different requirements and application portals
UNICAM Second Call – Regione Marche scholarships: six scholarships across five PhD Programmes; applications open until 22 October 2026 at 1:00 p.m. through the dedicated phd42reg PICA procedure.
First UNICAM Call: applications closed; final merit rankings published on 21 September 2026. Follow the acceptance and enrolment notices associated with that Call.
National PhD Programme in Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience: one Regione Marche-funded scholarship is available through a separate second-session Call and dedicated phd42dintan PICA procedure. Final rankings for the TAN first session are also available on its original Call page.
Interested in other PhD opportunities?
Explore the UNICAM PhD Programmes and consult News & Calls for further admission opportunities, official notices and updates.