GSSI PhD Programme in Mathematics 2026 – Fully Funded in Italy (10 Scholarships)

The Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI) in L’Aquila, Italy, invites applications for its PhD Programme in Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences.

Ten fully funded scholarships are available for the 2026/27 academic year. The programme lasts four years and offers an annual gross scholarship of €16,243, free accommodation (first year), luncheon vouchers, tuition fee waiver, laptop contribution, and insurance coverage.

The application deadline for the second (Summer) round is 15 May 2026. If you are looking for similar opportunities in Italy, explore fully funded scholarships in Italy for international students.

Programme Overview

The Gran Sasso Science Institute is based in L’Aquila, Italy, and offers post‑graduate training leading to a “Philosophiae Doctor” (Ph.D.) degree in Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences. Ten scholarships are available for this programme.

The official language of the Ph.D. Programme is English. The Academic Year will start on 1 November 2026. The Ph.D. Programme lasts four years. Nevertheless, it is possible to be awarded the Ph.D. degree after the completion of the third year.

For students seeking other funded programs in Europe, check latest scholarships in Europe for all nationalities.

Research Areas

Within the Ph.D. course in Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences, a priority has been established on mathematical modeling, both towards the traditional areas of application, such as Physics or Engineering, and towards emerging issues in Biology and Social Sciences.

Emphasis will be given to partial differential equations and their applications, in particular mathematical models in fluid dynamics and in the study of nonlinear waves; statistical mechanics, hydrodynamic limits and derivation of effective equations in classical and quantum mechanics, phase transitions, disordered systems; methods of statistical physics in data science; numerical linear algebra and its applications, numerical methods for differential equations, high‑performance computational techniques; network analysis problems; continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics models for cardiovascular circulation, computational fluid dynamics; and mathematical models in biology and social sciences.

Scholarship Benefits

GSSI awards scholarships until the dissertation defense and for a maximum of four years. The yearly gross amount of the scholarship is €16,243.00. An additional 50% on a monthly basis may be awarded for research periods abroad if approved by the GSSI.

All Ph.D. students normally benefit from free accommodation at the guest house during the first year, except for special organizational needs. Starting from the second year, all Ph.D. students are provided with a financial substitute of €350 gross per month (the contribution will be paid upon the presentation of a rental agreement in L’Aquila or, in case of mandatory stays required from the Ph.D. Programme, according to the relevant agreements).

All Ph.D. students will have free luncheon vouchers valued at €7 each, one per day, on working days, except school closures, missions, and other situations contemplated by GSSI rules. All Ph.D. students will have tuition fees waived. All Ph.D. students will be covered by insurance against any accident or injury that may occur while carrying out their Ph.D. activities.

All Ph.D. students are entitled to a contribution of up to €1,200 net for the purchase of a laptop for study and research purposes. The contribution will be paid upon the presentation of the fiscal receipt headed to the applicant. In case of voluntary enrollment to the National Health Service, Ph.D. students will benefit from a reimbursement up to €550, subject to any adjustments.

Eligibility Requirements

English knowledge is compulsory. Applications are open to candidates in possession of a “Laurea Magistrale” or “Laurea Specialistica” or a four‑ or five‑year Italian degree, or a foreign university degree (minimum legal duration of the University course: four years). The eligibility of foreign degrees is assessed by the Selection Committee.

Applicants obtaining their degree by no later than 31 October 2026 may apply (both Italian or foreign degree according to the previous description). Applicants will have to send a copy of their degree certificate to phd.secretariat@gssi.it within 20 November 2026 (for Italian degrees a “self declaration” can also be accepted).

For applicants interested in other Italian PhD scholarships, see Italy's latest scholarships in 2026.

How to Apply – Step by Step

Step 1: Visit the GSSI online application portal at www.gssi.it/phd and fill out the online application form.

Step 2: Upload the following required documents in PDF format:

• A valid ID document, signed and dated

• Curriculum vitae et studiorum (CV)

• A final degree certificate (for EU citizens or non‑EU citizens residing in Italy: a copy of the certificate or a self‑declaration declaring the possession of a degree indicating conferral date, issuing University and final grade; for other applicants: certificate declaring the possession of a degree indicating conferral date, issuing University and final grade). For applicants who expect to complete their degree by 31 October 2026: certificate or self‑declaration (only for EU citizens and non‑EU citizens residing in Italy) indicating the single examinations taken and grades obtained. If the official document released by the University is not available in Italian or English, candidates should also attach a translation of the document under their responsibility

• Academic transcript or diploma supplement (both Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree transcripts must be uploaded)

• A synthetic report of the core courses attended on the following topics: Analysis of Partial Differential Equations, Functional Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Physics/Continuum Mechanics/Fluid Dynamics, Probability/Stochastic Processes, Quantum Mechanics. For each course in this area, students should provide a short syllabus (no more than 10 lines) containing main textbooks, name of the instructors and possibly the link to the courses’ home page

Step 3: Provide the names and contact information of up to two referees. The information provided by the applicants in the online form will be used to send the referees an email with a link to a page where they can upload the reference letter. Referees should submit the reference letters in English or Italian through the online application system. No reference letter uploaded by the candidates will be admitted.

Step 4: Submit your application. No changes are allowed to submitted data. Erroneous data and attachments will be evaluated as they are submitted.

Important: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their completed application arrives on time. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their application well in advance of the deadline in order to avoid last‑minute congestion in the online application procedure.

Application Deadlines

The second round (Summer round) application deadline is 15 May 2026 at 3:00 PM Italian time zone. Referees’ letters must be uploaded by 19 May 2026.

Selection Procedure

Candidates will be evaluated by the Selection Committee on the basis of their academic background, skills and scientific value. The Selection Committee will also assess the relevance of any publication, the suitability of the candidates’ CV, the reference letters and any additional special qualification, educational activities and participation in research groups or projects.

The selection procedure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase is the assessment of all the applications admitted through the online procedure, ending with the publication on the GSSI website of the shortlist of candidates admitted to the interview.

The second phase is the interview. Once shortlisted, the applicants will be required to participate in a comprehensive remote interview in English, in order to assess their aptitude for research in the curriculum for which they have applied, as well as their English proficiency.

The interview will normally be conducted online. In order to verify the candidate’s identity, the ID document used in the application must be shown at the beginning of the interview.

After the interviews, a final ranking of the admitted candidates to the PhD Programme will be published on the GSSI website.

Open Day

Candidates in the final ranking (with reference to the Winter round) or candidates included in the shortlist (with reference to the Summer round) may be invited to an Open Day on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 for the Summer round. The Open Day will be organized between the publication of the shortlist and the corresponding interviews of the Summer round.

For additional financial aid options across Europe, explore financial aids for students in Europe.

Why Choose GSSI?

The Gran Sasso Science Institute offers a world‑class research environment in the historic city of L’Aquila, surrounded by the Gran Sasso mountain range. The PhD programme is interdisciplinary, connecting mathematics with natural, social, and life sciences.

With full funding, free accommodation, meal vouchers, and a laptop contribution, scholars can focus entirely on their research. The international atmosphere and English as the working language make it accessible to students from around the world.

Final Thoughts

The GSSI PhD Programme in Mathematics is an exceptional opportunity for students passionate about mathematical modeling and its applications across multiple disciplines. With ten fully funded scholarships, generous benefits, and a supportive research environment, this programme can launch a successful academic or research career.

The Summer round deadline is 15 May 2026. Prepare your documents, secure your reference letters, and apply online through the GSSI portal.

For a complete list of open scholarships in Europe, visit list of all open scholarships in Europe.

Apply Now for GSSI PhD Programme in Mathematics