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Funded IUSS Pavia PhD in Advanced Therapies 2026 — Apply

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June 26, 2026
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Funded IUSS Pavia PhD in Advanced Therapies 2026 — Apply

If you are a researcher in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, gene therapy, or biophysics, this might be the most exciting PhD opportunity opening in Italy right now. IUSS Pavia — the School for Advanced Studies of Pavia — has opened applications for the National PhD Program in Science and Technology for Advanced Therapies (STAT), 42nd Cycle, for academic year 2026/27. With 34 funded positions available across three specialized research tracks, an application deadline of 14 July 2026, and partnerships involving Fondazione Telethon and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, this is a program built for researchers who want to work at the frontier of medicine, technology, and human health. Here is everything you need to know.

Detail	Information
Institution	IUSS — Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori, Pavia
Country	Italy
Degree Level	PhD (Doctoral, 3 years)
Program Name	National PhD in Science and Technology for Advanced Therapies (STAT) — 42nd Cycle
Funding Type	Funded positions (scholarships included; verify exact stipend amounts on official website)
Available Positions	34 total
Application Deadline	14 July 2026 at 1:00 PM CEST
Open To	Graduates with a Master’s degree or equivalent (international applicants welcome)
Application Fee	€30 (non-refundable)
Official Link	IUSS STAT PhD 2026-27

🎓 About the IUSS STAT National PhD Program

IUSS Pavia — the Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori — is one of Italy’s most selective schools for advanced research training, operating within the historic academic ecosystem of Pavia, a university city with centuries of scholarly tradition located just 35 km south of Milan.

The National PhD Program in Science and Technology for Advanced Therapies (STAT) is a flagship initiative coordinated by Professor Annalisa Bonfiglio and developed in collaboration with Fondazione Telethon, the University of Pavia, and Fondazione CNAO — one of Europe’s leading centers for hadron therapy cancer treatment. This is not a conventional PhD program run by a single department. It is a national-level initiative expressly designed to train the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers who can bridge basic research, technological development, and direct clinical application.

The program sits fully within the strategic priorities of Italy’s National Research Program (PNR) and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), meaning it is backed by national-level investment in biotechnology, precision medicine, and advanced therapeutic innovation. For researchers looking to enter this field, being part of an initiative embedded in Italy’s national science infrastructure brings both credibility and long-term career visibility.

🎓 Funding and Scholarship Benefits

All 34 available positions come with scholarship support. Here is the breakdown:

34 total funded positions, including:
- 5 positions reserved for candidates who are employees of a company (industrial PhD track)
- 11 positions for candidates selected under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – COFUND Rarefind program, coordinated by Fondazione Telethon ETS
- 2 positions for candidates selected under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Network INT2ACT, coordinated by the University of Udine
- Remaining positions are standard PhD scholarships under the STAT program

The exact monthly stipend amounts are detailed in the official call and Research Programme documents — refer to the official call PDF for confirmed figures (verify on official website). Marie Skłodowska-Curie positions typically carry a top-up mobility allowance in addition to the base stipend, making them particularly competitive financially.

Note: a non-refundable application fee of €30 is required at the time of submission.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the IUSS STAT PhD 2026/27, you must meet the following requirements:

Hold a Master’s degree, an equivalent second-cycle academic qualification, or a comparable qualification obtained in Italy or abroad and deemed suitable by the Admissions Committee
Be able to complete the selection process as outlined in the official call
Meet any specific requirements for the curriculum or position you apply for (company-reserved and Marie Skłodowska-Curie positions have separate eligibility conditions — check the official call)
Be prepared to relocate to or study from Pavia/Italy for the three-year program

Language: The program is conducted in an international academic context with English as the primary language of instruction and research. No centrally stated IELTS/TOEFL score is listed in the official call — however, a strong command of English is essential given the interdisciplinary and international research environment. Check the official call for any language documentation requirements (verify on official website).

Students from all nationalities are eligible to apply.

🎓 Who Should Apply — Who Shouldn’t

✅ This PhD is right for you if:

You hold a Master’s degree in medicine, biology, biophysics, bioengineering, biotechnology, chemistry, or a related field
You want to work at the intersection of basic research and clinical application in a nationally strategic research environment
You are interested in gene therapy, cell therapy, hadron therapy, biomolecular sciences, or biotechnology
You want PhD funding that goes beyond a standard Italian scholarship — particularly the Marie Skłodowska-Curie tracks with mobility benefits
You are ready to apply by 14 July 2026

❌ This PhD is not right for you if:

Your research background is in humanities, social sciences, or unrelated STEM fields
You are looking for a part-time or remote-only doctoral arrangement — this is a full research commitment
You cannot submit an application through the PICA online platform or pay the €30 application fee by the deadline
Your Master’s qualification has not yet been awarded or recognized as equivalent

🎓 The Three Research Curricula

The STAT PhD is structured into three distinct tracks, each targeting a different dimension of advanced therapy research:

CU1 — Hadron Therapy and Advanced Biophysical Therapies

This curriculum focuses on non-pharmacological therapeutic technologies using biophysical and bioengineering methods. The centerpiece is hadron therapy — a cutting-edge form of cancer treatment using proton and ion beams — along with advanced biomedical instrumentation and the clinical translation of emerging physical therapies. The link to Fondazione CNAO, Italy’s national center for hadron therapy, makes this curriculum one of the most unique in Europe for this specialization.

CU2 — Gene and Cell Therapies

This track is dedicated to designing, developing, and clinically applying innovative gene and cell therapies. Research focuses on creating new therapeutic strategies for genetic diseases and complex disorders. The involvement of Fondazione Telethon ETS — one of the world’s most respected rare disease research organizations — gives candidates in this track direct access to a globally recognized research network and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND positions.

CU3 — Biomolecular and Biotechnological Sciences

Oriented toward experimental research, this curriculum brings together structural biology, medicinal and bioinorganic chemistry, molecular microbiology, neuropharmacology, and molecular hematology. It is the broadest of the three tracks and is suited to researchers with a strong laboratory background in molecular life sciences.

For the full list of research projects per curriculum, consult the Research Programme document and the Educational Programme.

🎓 Required Documents

The official call specifies the full documentation list — typically for Italian doctoral programs at this level, you will need:

Online application submitted through the PICA platform
Master’s degree certificate (or equivalent), with official translations if issued in a language other than Italian or English
Curriculum Vitae (academic/research-focused)
Research interest statement or motivation letter (check the call for specific requirements per curriculum)
Reference letters (number and format specified in the official call)
Proof of payment of the €30 non-refundable application fee
Any additional documentation required for Marie Skłodowska-Curie or company-reserved positions

Always download and read the official call PDF before assembling your application, as specific document requirements may vary by position type.

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Download and read the official call at Bando STAT 2026-27 (PDF) — identify which curriculum and position type suits your background
Review the Research Programme to find specific projects that match your expertise
Create an account on the PICA platform at pica.cineca.it
Prepare your documents — CV, degree certificate, motivation statement, and references
Pay the €30 application fee through the platform before the deadline
Submit your application by 14 July 2026 at 1:00 PM CEST — late submissions are not accepted
Await selection results — the admissions committee will assess applications according to the procedures in the call
Complete the selection process as specified, which may include an interview or academic evaluation

Practical tip: If you are targeting a Marie Skłodowska-Curie position under the Rarefind or INT2ACT programs, read those specific terms carefully — they may have additional eligibility conditions such as mobility rules (the MSCA typically requires candidates to not have resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the prior three years).

🎓 Important Dates

Milestone	Date
Applications open	11 June 2026
Application deadline	14 July 2026 at 1:00 PM CEST
Academic year begins	2026/27
Program duration	3 years

Bookmark this page and check back for updates.

🎓 Why Apply — Why IUSS Pavia and Italy

Here is what makes this PhD more than a standard doctoral position.

The STAT program is nationally coordinated — not a single-university affair. Being affiliated with IUSS gives you access to the University of Pavia ecosystem, one of Italy’s oldest and most research-intensive institutions, alongside the specialist networks of Fondazione Telethon (rare diseases, gene therapy) and Fondazione CNAO (hadron therapy). These are not nominal partnerships — they are substantive research collaborators that shape the actual content of the PhD tracks.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie positions embedded within this program carry the EU’s most prestigious doctoral brand. MSCA fellowships are recognized globally, open doors at research institutions across Europe and beyond, and come with enhanced financial packages including mobility allowances.

Pavia itself is an exceptional place to do research. Located just south of Milan with fast train connections, it combines a historic university-city environment with genuine proximity to Italy’s financial and innovation hub. The city is compact, affordable by Italian standards, and deeply shaped by its academic identity.

What makes the STAT program genuinely distinctive is this: it is one of very few PhD programs in Italy that combines three research ecosystems — biophysics and clinical technology (CNAO), rare disease gene therapy (Telethon), and open biotechnology research (University of Pavia) — under a single structured doctoral framework. For a researcher at the intersection of lab science and clinical translation, that breadth of infrastructure is rare anywhere in Europe.

🎓 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can international students apply for the IUSS STAT PhD? Yes. International applicants are explicitly welcome. Your Master’s degree from outside Italy will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee for equivalence. There is no nationality restriction.

Q: Is there a language requirement for the application? The program operates in an international research environment and uses English as the primary language. No IELTS or TOEFL score is specified in the official call, but strong English proficiency is essential. Check the call PDF for any documentation requirements.

Q: What is the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND Rarefind position? It is a special category of PhD position funded under the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, coordinated by Fondazione Telethon. These positions typically include a higher stipend and a mobility allowance. MSCA COFUND positions also require the candidate to not have been resident in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the start of the fellowship — check eligibility carefully.

Q: Do I need to choose a specific curriculum when applying? Yes. The STAT program has three curricula (CU1, CU2, CU3), each with distinct research projects. Review the Research Programme to identify which projects align with your background, then apply accordingly.

Q: Is the €30 application fee refundable if I am not selected? No. The €30 application fee is explicitly non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application.

Q: What happens after I submit my application? The Admissions Committee reviews all applications according to the selection procedures outlined in the official call. This typically includes evaluation of academic credentials and may include a formal interview. Results and timelines are detailed in the call document.

🎓 Official Source

Program announcement: IUSS STAT PhD 2026-27
Official call PDF (English): Bando STAT 2026-27
Research Programme: Research Programme — 42nd Cycle
Educational Programme: Educational Programme STAT
Apply online: PICA Application Portal
PhD Office email: phd-stat@iusspavia.it
Address: Palazzo del Broletto, Piazza della Vittoria n.15, 27100 Pavia (PV), Italy

🎓 Summary Table

Detail	Information
Institution	IUSS Pavia — Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori
Location	Pavia, Italy (near Milan)
Program	National PhD in Science and Technology for Advanced Therapies (STAT), 42nd Cycle
Degree Level	PhD (3 years)
Funding	Funded positions — scholarships provided (verify stipend on official website)
Total Positions	34
MSCA Positions	11 (Rarefind/Telethon) + 2 (INT2ACT/UniUdine)
Curricula	CU1: Hadron Therapy / CU2: Gene & Cell Therapy / CU3: Biomolecular Sciences
Application Fee	€30 (non-refundable)
Deadline	14 July 2026 at 1:00 PM CEST
Open To	All nationalities (Master’s degree required)
Apply	PICA Platform