Admissions to the PhD in Cognitive and Brain Sciences at the University of Trento are open for international candidates in 2025-26. With its strong foundation in neuroscience, psychology, informatics, and physiology, this program is for passionate researchers eager to unravel the complexities of the mind and brain.

Offered by the Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), this four-year English-taught program helps students work in a dynamic research environment with many international researchers and faculty. They gain advanced skills in both basic and applied research on the brain and mind.

The program uses an interdisciplinary approach, combining different research fields focused on the nervous system, mental processes, and behavior. Students have access to modern labs with tools to study brain activity, behavior in humans and animals, molecular biology, brain structure, and brain function models.

You may also check the following opportunities from the University of Trento:

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PhD Grants, Topics, and Sponsors

PhD Grants in Cognitive and Brain Sciences (4 years)

• The University of Trento funds five grants.
• 6 grants by the Italian Institute of Technology Foundation (IIT) on the following topics:
  • Studying brain connectivity using perturbational methods (1 grant)
  • Using ultrasound imaging in active mice (1 grant)
  • Brain markers related to autism (2 grants)
  • How neurons help with learning movements (1 grant)
  • How the brain represents sensory behavior (1 grant)
• 1 grant by Fondazione Bruno Kessler for work on AI and Neuroscience.
• 1 grant by CIMeC through the Dynamo Project, focused on:
  • Brain prediction using MEG scans (1 grant)
• 1 CIMeC funds grant through the ATCOM Project, supported by the EU, focused on:
  • How attention and memory interact in the human brain (1 grant)
• 1 grant by CIMeC, focused on:
  • Social behavior and brain responses in baby chicks (1 grant)

Candidates in special international programs linked to the University of Trento may also apply for the 41st PhD cycle.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: June 5, 2025, 4:00 p.m. (Italian time)
• Important Dates:
  • Degree completion deadline (if not yet obtained): October 31, 2025
  • Document submission deadline: November 7, 2025
  • The academic year begins: November 1, 2025
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Host Institution: University of Trento, Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC)
• Eligible Countries: All nationalities
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Aspiring researchers in mind/brain sciences
• Focus Areas: Cognitive and Brain Sciences
• Study Level: PhD
• Degree Required: Master’s degree or equivalent
• Number of Opportunities: 15 funded positions + 1 supernumerary position
• Duration: 4 years
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Italy

Benefits and Scholarships

Applicants will benefit from the scholarship grants as follows:

• Fully funded scholarships for all 15 selected candidates, covering tuition, living expenses, and research activities
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities and international collaborations
• Support for international mobility and specific research projects
• Additional scholarships may become available before the interview stage

Research Topics

Following are

• Animal cognition
• Numerical cognition
• Dementia and cognitive decline
• Language
• Neuroimaging and brain connectivity
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Perception and attention
• Conceptual representations
• Vision

Topic-specific projects for scholarships include (not limited to):

• Functional ultrasound imaging in mice
• Perturbational approaches to brain connectivity
• Neural basis of memory and attention
• AI and neuroscience
• Sensory-motor learning and behavior modeling
• Mirror-system responses in chicks

Scientific-disciplinary sectors

• General Psychology
• Psychobiology and physiological psychology
• Zoology
• Physiology
• Information processing systems
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Applied Physics
• Glottology and linguistics
• Informatics

Eligibility Criteria

Application requirements are as follows:

• The application is open to anyone, regardless of gender, age, or nationality
• Applicants must have a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale or equivalent) in a relevant field
• AFAM second-level diploma in music, art, or performance (Italy) is also accepted

• A foreign Master’s Degree that:
  • Grants access to PhD studies in the awarding country;
  • Matches the Italian Master’s in level, length, and subject;
  • Is deemed suitable by the Admission Committee.

• Applicants who expect to graduate by October 31, 2025, may apply conditionally
• Previous PhD holders may apply if the new program is in a different scientific field

Required Documents

Below is the list of mandatory and optional application supporting documents:

• Copy of a valid identity document (passport for non-EU or ID card for EU citizens).
• Self-certification of academic record for Italian degree (with exams, dates, grades, credits)
• Statement from thesis supervisor (if Italian degree is pending, confirming expected graduation by October 31, 2025).
• Degree certificate for foreign qualifications (with title, date, and final grade)
• Academic transcript of Master’s degree (with exams, grades, credits, grading scale)
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript (if applicable)
• The enrollment certificate and current transcript for foreign degrees are pending (with exams, grades, credits, and scale).
• Statement from thesis supervisor (for pending foreign degree, confirming expected graduation by October 31, 2025).
• Translation into English or Italian of all documents not originally in those languages (by the applicant).
• Degree Diploma in the original language (if available)
• Diploma Supplement (if available)
• Declaration of Value (if available)
• CIMEA Statement of Comparability (if available).
• Updated and dated CV in English (preferably Europass format).
• Anonymous Research Statement in English (Parts A: Motivation, B: Research Interest, C: Project Proposal).
• English proficiency declaration (minimum CEFR B2 level)
• English language certificate or proof of prior education in English (if available)
• Up to two Academic Reference Forms submitted directly by referees (optional but recommended)
• List of publications and presentations (optional).
• GRE or equivalent international test scores (optional).
• Other supporting documents for research skills (e.g., awards, post-degree research experience) (optional)

Selection Process and Criteria

The selection process has several steps, as follows:

• The Rector appoints an Admissions Committee (min. three experts in relevant fields; may include external national/international researchers).
• Selection aims to assess applicants’ preparation, research aptitude, and alignment with the proposed topic.
• The process includes:
  • Evaluation of qualifications and Research Statement based on predefined criteria;
  • An oral exam in English is to assess research aptitude, topic knowledge, and language skills.
• Applicants interested in specific-topic scholarships must:
  • Indicate it in the application.
  • Submit a topic-relevant proposal.
  • Request evaluation for new topic-specific grants before the interview if added later.
• Choosing a topic-specific grant implies a preference for that scholarship over others.
• Evaluation scoring:
  • 60 points for qualifications & Research Statement;
  • 60 points for oral exam;
  • A minimum of 36/60 is required in each phase to advance/pass.
• Results will be published on the selection webpage.
• Interview options:
  a) In-person at the University of Trento (with valid ID);
  b) Online via video (ID required; failure to connect results in disqualification).
• An oral exam is passed with a minimum score of 36/60.

How to Apply?

Follow these steps to complete your applications:

• Submit Your Application Online by June 5, 2025 – 4:00 p.m. (Italian time)

Apply here

• Choose how to Log In using one of the following:

• • SPID or CIE: For those with an Italian ID and Tax Code.
  • UniTrento account: If you already have a UniTrento email.
  • Guest account: This is for international applicants without an Italian ID. Create here.

• Pay the Application Fee of €30 (non-refundable) through the pagoPA system during the online application.
• Submit and confirm your application completely. Look for a confirmation email. If you don’t get one, your application isn’t complete.
• Conditional Admission: All applications are accepted conditionally, pending checks on your documents and eligibility.
• Document Verification: If your degree or information doesn’t meet the requirements, you can be excluded at any time—even after being admitted.
• Special Assistance: If you have a disability or learning difficulty, request support or extra time in your online form.
• Self-Certification: By applying, you’re self-declaring the accuracy of your personal info and academic background.

Further details and information regarding this scholarship are available on the official University of Trento website.

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