Calls and application
FUTURE PHD CANDIDATES
Calls and application procedure
Learn how UNICAM PhD admission works, how to prepare and submit an application, and what happens during the subsequent selection procedure.
UNICAM CYCLE XLII
Interviews underway
The shortlist and interview calendar for the general UNICAM Cycle XLII Call have been published.
NATIONAL PHD · TAN
Selection procedure in progress
Applications for Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience closed on 24 August 2026. Candidates should monitor the dedicated admission page for subsequent notices.
IMPORTANT
Always follow the official Call and online procedure
The official Call, annexes, amendments, institutional notices and instructions displayed by the application platform prevail over summary information published on this page. Requirements may change between admission cycles and between different Calls.
01 · OFFICIAL CALL
Read the Call and all annexes
Before preparing an application, read the complete Call for Applications, research fields and topics, application guidelines and any amendments or notices. The Call establishes the available positions, eligibility requirements, deadlines, evaluation criteria and all binding conditions.
02 · PROGRAMME AND RESEARCH AREA
Choose the correct Programme and research field
Identify the PhD Programme, curriculum, research field and research topic or topics consistent with your qualifications and research interests. Carefully check any limits on the number of Programmes, preferences or applications established by the relevant Call.
03 · ONLINE APPLICATION
Access the application platform indicated in the Call
Applications are normally submitted through the PICA online platform indicated in the relevant official Call. Access methods and the specific application procedure are displayed by the platform.
Separate Calls, including National PhD Programmes, may use a different PICA procedure. Always use the link provided in the specific Call for which you intend to apply.
Cycle XLII applications are closed
The Cycle XLII PICA platform can no longer be used to submit a new application. Candidates who already submitted an application may still access their dashboard where permitted by the platform.
04 · APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Complete the application and upload all required documents
Enter the personal and academic information requested by the platform and upload all mandatory documents in the format and language established by the Call.
Depending on the Call and Programme, documents may include:
• a valid identity document;
• curriculum vitae;
• academic qualifications and transcripts;
• research project or proposal;
• statement of purpose or motivation letter;
• documentation relating to foreign qualifications and translations;
• publications or other supporting material permitted by the Call.
• a valid identity document;
• curriculum vitae;
• academic qualifications and transcripts;
• research project or proposal;
• statement of purpose or motivation letter;
• documentation relating to foreign qualifications and translations;
• publications or other supporting material permitted by the Call.
05 · REFERENCES
Enter your referees correctly
Where the procedure permits or requires references, enter the current email addresses of professors or researchers familiar with your academic and research work.
The platform may send an automatic request to each referee. Contact referees in advance and check any separate deadline for submission of references established by the Call.
06 · APPLICATION FEE
Pay the application fee where required
When required, complete payment using the procedure indicated in the Call and online application. The amount, payment deadline, refund conditions and any rules relating to multiple applications are established by the relevant Call.
Verify that the payment status has been correctly acquired by the application platform before completing final submission.
07 · FINAL SUBMISSION
Sign and submit the application
Saving an application as a draft does not constitute submission. After checking every section, complete the final submission and any signature procedure required by PICA.
Follow the authentication and signature instructions displayed by the platform. An application is valid only when the required final submission procedure has been successfully completed.
08 · SUBMISSION CONFIRMATION
Verify successful submission
After submission, check that the application is shown as submitted in your dashboard and retain the confirmation, application PDF and application identification number.
The identification number may subsequently be used in shortlists, interview notices and other official communications instead of the candidate’s name.
09 · CHANGES AND WITHDRAWAL
Modify or withdraw an application
During an open application period, a saved draft can normally be reopened and modified until final submission.
After final submission, changes or withdrawal are possible only where and in the manner permitted by the relevant Call and application platform. Follow the official procedure rather than sending an informal replacement document.
10 · SELECTION PROCEDURE
Evaluation and interviews
The selection procedure may include verification of eligibility and evaluation of qualifications, curriculum, research proposal and motivation, followed by an interview for candidates admitted to the subsequent stage.
Evaluation criteria, minimum scores, interview language, format and calendar are established by the relevant Call and subsequent official notices.
11 · OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS
Shortlists, interviews and rankings
Shortlists, interview calendars, corrections, final rankings and subsequent notices are published on the official institutional pages indicated by the relevant Call.
These publications may constitute official notification. Candidates should monitor the institutional pages regularly and should not rely solely on receiving individual email communications.
12 · SUPPORT
Technical and administrative support
For questions concerning eligibility, documentation or the admission procedure, contact the Advanced Studies Office. For technical problems with PICA, use the technical support service indicated on the relevant application page.
During an open application period, request assistance well before the deadline and include the PhD Programme, application identification number where available, and a clear description of the issue.
AFTER THE SELECTION
Check the results and follow the acceptance instructions
Candidates awarded a position must follow the acceptance and enrolment instructions within the deadline established by the Call or subsequent official notice. Failure to complete the required steps within the prescribed deadline may result in loss of the position.