Funding for PhD Programmes

Public and private entities may fund a doctoral grant for PhD programmes, with the option of proposing a specific research topic.

Interested parties must contact the Coordinator of the PhD programme they intend to support. The proposed funding and any associated research topic must be approved either by resolution of the PhD Programme Board or, where necessary, by an urgent order issued by the Coordinator.

This section includes the standard agreement template and the bank guarantee template (required only for private entities opting for annual instalments), as approved by the University governing bodies.

Procedure

1. Download the agreement template using the link below and complete the document with the relevant information, following the instructions provided.
2. Send the completed agreement (in Word format) to: phd.finanziamenti@unipi.it. If known, please copy in the scientific supervisor of the research project.
3. The office will carry out the necessary checks and will respond by email, either requesting further details or confirming that the document can be digitally signed by the legal representative of the funding entity.
4. Once digitally signed, the funding entity must send the agreement via certified email (PEC) to: protocollo@pec.unipi.it.
5. Upon receipt of the PEC, if the funder is a private entity and has opted for advance payment, the office will issue a PagoPA payment notice.
6. If advance payment has been chosen, the office will verify that payment has been successfully completed.
7. The office will then send the agreement, countersigned by the Rector of the University of Pisa, via PEC.

Private entities opting for payment in annual instalments must guarantee the full financial commitment by submitting an appropriate bank guarantee, which forms an integral part of the agreement, using the template available at the link provided.
In this case, the funder must return both the digitally signed agreement and the bank guarantee (digitally signed by the bank) via PEC to: protocollo@pec.unipi.it.

N.B. – For private entities: Current legislation provides for various forms of tax benefits, including tax credits for research and development activities, deductibility of donations to universities or university foundations, and tax and social security relief for apprenticeship contracts. Companies are encouraged to consult their tax advisors to assess eligibility for such benefits.

Templates for external entities

Standard agreement template

Standard agreement template including 6-month international mobility supplement

Standard agreement template including 6-month international mobility supplement (50% funding)

Template letter of commitment for company placement

Letter of commitment template

Letter of commitment template for two University structures

These templates must be prepared on letterheaded paper, digitally signed by the Director of the Department/Centre, and sent via PEC to: protocollo@pec.unipi.it, for the attention of the Direzione Ricerca e valorizzazione delle conoscenze – Unità Offerta dottorale e relativi finanziamenti.

Interested parties must contact the Coordinator of the PhD programme they intend to support. The proposed funding and any associated research topic must be approved either by resolution of the PhD Programme Board or, where necessary, by an urgent order issued by the Coordinator.