Call for applications PhD in Global Studies 2025/2026 – 10 positions with scholarship at University of Urbino, Italy

Programme overview

Join the University of Urbino, Italy – a 500-year-old, UNESCO-listed institution renowned for the social sciences – for the ninth edition of its interdisciplinary PhD in Global Studies. The 2025/26 cycle investigates how economic, business and political actors interact across borders in an era of economic crises, AI-driven transformation and climate challenges. Ten positions are offered (nine with full scholarships). English is the working language.

Research themes

• Growth, inequality, and structural transformation in response to economic crises, technological shifts, AI, and environmental challenges.
• Evolution of firms, industry and labor in a fragmented and unstable global economy.
• Geopolitical dynamics and institutional policies shaping globalization and international governance.

Structure & training (3 years)

• Year 1 - Urbino: intensive coursework (maths & stats, economics, politics, global governance, data analysis, econometrics), data labs and seminars with leading scholars.
• Year 2 - Mobility: funded research visits or internships at partner universities, plus summer/winter schools.
• Year 3 - Thesis: completion, journal submissions and conference presentations, supported by weekly seminars and advanced courses.

Funding & facilities

• Scholarship: €16,243/yr (tax-free, +50% when abroad) for nine candidates; one additional place without scholarship.
• Workspace, IT, libraries, language center (Italian classes) and help finding housing in Urbino’s historic center.
• International faculty from Rutgers, Reading, Sussex, Sant’Anna, Wien, Sciences Po, Villanova, WIIW and more. 

Eligibility

• Four-year degree (or equivalent) in economics, business, political/social or legal sciences by 31 Oct 2025.
• English at B2 level or higher.

Submit online:

• Europass CV.
• Master’s thesis abstract (≤ 1,500 words).
• Research project (≤ 2,500 words) aligned with programme themes.
• Up to three other relevant titles/certificates.

Selection

• Phase 1: evaluation of documents (max. 20 pts; min. 12 pts to proceed).
• Phase 2: videoconference interview (max. 60 pts; min. 40 pts to pass) on 1 Jul 2025. 

Key dates (all times CEST)

• Call opens: 8 May 2025.
• Application deadline: 10 Jun 2025, 13:00 CEST.
• Results of document screening: 25 Jun 2025.
• Interviews: 1 Jul 2025 (may extend to 2 Jul).
• Final ranking published online thereafter.

How to apply

Complete the electronic form on the PICA portal (https://pica.cineca.it/uniurb/dottorato41/) and upload all PDFs before the deadline.

Contact

• Scientific queries: phd-global-studies@uniurb.it.
• Administrative help: dottorato@uniurb.it (subject: “PhD in Global Studies, Cycle 41”).
• Discover full details, faculty profiles and FAQs at www.uniurb.it/global-studies.