The University of Trento is now accepting applications for the 41st cycle of its PhD Programme in Comparative and European Legal Studies for the 2025/2026 academic year. This three-year doctoral program aims to train legal scholars and professionals with a strong interdisciplinary foundation and a keen understanding of transnational legal phenomena. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia or beyond.

The program emphasizes comparative, diachronic, and synchronic legal analysis and fosters connections across various legal research areas. From the second year, students are required to complete at least six months of research abroad. Instruction is primarily in Italian.

A total of seven positions are available, with six scholarships funded by the University of Trento and one topic-specific scholarship under the university’s Strategic Plan. The scholarships are focused on legal-constitutional and comparative issues of Responsible Research and Innovation. Additional funding opportunities may become available and will be announced on the official webpage.

Research within the program is organized into four main areas:

• Pluralism, Method, and Juridical Traditions
• Market Law, Welfare, and Taxation
• Fundamental Freedoms, Social Transitions, and Institutional Settings
• Autonomy, Guarantee of Rights, and Protections

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

• University of Trento PhD in International Studies Scholarships – 41st Cycle 2025/2026
• University of Trento PhD in Information Engineering and Computer Science– 41st Cycle 2025/2026
• University of Trento PhD in Cognitive and Brain Sciences – (41st Cycle, Fully Funded)
• University of Trento PhD Program in Economics and Finance 2025-26 in Italy (Fully Funded)
• The University of Trento 41st PhD Cycle in European Cultures (fully funded)
• University of Trento PhD Program in Forms of Cultural Exchange and Textuality (Fully Funded)

Key Details and Dates

• Application deadline: June 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (Italian time)
  Program start date: November 1, 2025
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Host Institution: University of Trento
• Eligible Countries: All nationalities
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Graduates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant fields
• Field: Humanities, Linguistics, Literature, Philology, Cultural Studies
• Study Level: PhD (Doctoral Studies)
• Degree Required: Master’s Degree or equivalent (Italian Laurea Magistrale or similar)
• Number of Opportunities: 8 scholarships
• Duration: 3 years
• Program Language: Italian
• Host Country: Italy

Scholarship Benefits

This PhD Program will offer the following benefits:

• Seven full scholarships with a total of €18,345 per year are available:
  • 6 funded by the University of Trento
  • 1 topic-specific scholarship under the “Piano Strategico di Ateneo 2022–2027”
• Scholarships cover living expenses and research-related activities.
• Potential increase in scholarships if additional funding becomes available.
• Additional support includes access to university resources, research infrastructure, and international collaboration opportunities.

Research Topics and Areas

The PhD program offers interdisciplinary courses covering shared themes such as legal interpretation, economic analysis of law, fundamental rights, comparative legal methods, European legal thought, and globalization. Courses are taught in English and enriched by seminars with Italian and international experts.

Scientific Areas Include:

• Private, Commercial, and Economic Law
• Labor, Constitutional, Administrative, and Tax Law
• International and Comparative Law
• Civil and Criminal Procedure, Criminal Law
• Roman Law, Legal History, Philosophy of Law
• History of Political Thought

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Open to candidates of any nationality, gender, and age.
• Must hold one of the following:
  • Italian Laurea Magistrale (Master’s degree)
  • Second-level university degree from Italian AFAM institutes
  • Equivalent foreign degree-granting access to PhD-level studies

• Applicants who will obtain their degree by July 16, 2025, may apply but must submit proof (certificate or self-declaration) to [email protected] by July 21, 2025, or risk exclusion.
• Applicants must provide sufficient documentation, especially if their degree system differs from the Italian one.
• Candidates with a prior PhD can apply if the new program is in a different field.
• Applicants previously funded by a PhD scholarship in Italy (even briefly) cannot receive another scholarship.

Required Documents

All applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:

Compulsory Attachments:

• Copy of identity document: ID card (EU citizens) or passport (non-EU; only ID pages).
• Copy of university degree or relevant documents, depending on degree type and country.
• For applicants with an Italian degree: self-declaration with degree details and exam list.
• For Italian applicants graduating by July 16, 2025: certificate of enrolment and thesis supervisor letter.
• For applicants with a foreign degree: degree certificate with graduation details and score
• Academic transcript (Master’s) with credits and grades; Bachelor’s degree and transcript if applicable.
• Translation into English or Italian if the original documents are in another language.
• If available: original diploma, Diploma Supplement, Declaration of Value, or Statement of Comparability (CIMEA).
• If a foreign degree is already recognized in Italy, attach the official equivalence provision.
• For foreign applicants graduating by July 16, 2025: certificate of enrolment with transcript and supervisor letter.
• Certificate of language proficiency (English, French, German, or Spanish) at a minimum B2 level.
• Accepted proof: certificate from a recognized institute, university-issued certificate, or degree taught in one of the four languages
• Native speakers of one of the four languages must declare their status in the application.
• One research project proposal including:
  • Title (max 500 characters)
  • Abstract (max 1,500 characters)
  • Aims (max 5,000 characters)
  • Originality (max 8,000 characters)
  • Methodology and timing (max 3,000 characters)
  • Annotated bibliography (max 5,000 characters)

Optional Attachments:

• Certificates proving knowledge of other foreign languages (not among English, French, German, or Spanish as listed in mandatory attachments)
• Any additional documents to be submitted after the application closure must be sent via email to [email protected] before the deadline, with the subject line:
  “Application ID – Candidate’s Surname and Name – PhD Programme in Comparative and European Legal Studies – 41st cycle – supplement to application”.

Selection Process and Criteria

• The Rector appoints the Admissions Committee, which is made up of at least three experts (professors/researchers), possibly including up to two additional experts from public/private research organizations.
• The selection assesses the candidate’s foundational knowledge and research aptitude in the chosen scientific field.
• Evaluation criteria include:
  • Assessment of the research proposal (clarity, methodology, coherence, critical reasoning, bibliographic references, and legal comparison)
  • Knowledge of any additional foreign languages
  • An interview assessing knowledge, prior research, motivation, and thesis work (conducted in Italian or English).
• Candidates must declare in the application if they wish to compete for the topic-specific grant and submit a relevant project.
• To compete for topic-specific scholarships announced later, candidates must inform the Admissions Committee before the qualifications are assessed.
• Expressing interest in a specific scholarship indicates a preference for that scholarship over others.
• The maximum score is 120 points, divided as follows:
  • 35 points for the research project evaluation.
  • 5 points for additional language knowledge.
  • 80 points for the interview.
• To be eligible for the interview, candidates must score at least 25/40 in the research project and additional language assessment.
• A minimum of 45/80 is required to pass the interview.
• Evaluation outcomes will be published on the selection website.
• Interview modalities:
  • In-person at the University of Trento (valid ID required; absence results in disqualification).
  • Via videoconference (webcam and valid ID required; technical issues or absence = disqualification)
• The interview date, time, and location (if in person) will be announced on the competition website at least 20 days in advance.
• Any changes to the interview schedule will also be published on the same website.

How to Apply?

• Submit your application online only by June 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (CEST) via the UniTrento portal.

Apply here

• Options for account access:
  • With SPID/CIE (Italian residents)
  • UniTrento student/staff account
  • Register as a “guest” (non-Italian candidates): Guest registration
• Pay the €30.00 non-refundable application fee via the PagoPA system.
• Ensure all required documents are uploaded before submission.

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

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