Applications are now open for the Bocconi University Fully Funded PhD Fellowship 2026 in Italy.
This opportunity is for students who want to pursue a PhD in Statistics and Computer Science, under the Computer Science curriculum, at Bocconi University in Milan.
The opportunity is not for every PhD programme at Bocconi. The main 2026/2027 PhD admission call has already passed. This is a new dedicated call funded by the Fondo Italiano per la Scienza, also called FIS, and it is open for only three PhD positions. Applications opened on 17 April 2026 and will close on 18 May 2026 at 23:59 CET.
If you are interested in computer science, algorithms, artificial intelligence, data science, single cell gene regulation, transformers, political data, or computational research, this is a serious opportunity to look at now.
Bocconi University PhD Fellowship Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Host University | Bocconi University |
| Country | Italy |
| City | Milan |
| Study Level | PhD |
| Programme | Statistics and Computer Science |
| Curriculum | Computer Science |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Language | English |
| Funding Type | FIS funded fellowship |
| Number of Positions | 3 |
| Application Opens | 17 April 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 18 May 2026 at 23:59 CET |
| Result Publication | By 8 June 2026 |
| Start Date | 1 September 2026 |
| Application Fee | Free |
| Application Mode | Online application |
About the Bocconi University PhD Fellowship
This Bocconi PhD fellowship is for the PhD Program in Statistics and Computer Science, under the Computer Science curriculum.
Bocconi describes the PhD in Statistics and Computer Science as a 4 year doctoral programme that develops strong mathematical, statistical, computational and programming skills. From the 2024/2025 academic year, the programme has two curricula, Statistics and Computer Science.
For this 2026 call, Bocconi is offering three PhD positions linked to specific FIS research projects. This matters because you are not applying for a general PhD seat. You are applying for a project based PhD position.
That is where many applicants make the first mistake.
You should not write your application like someone who only wants to study in Italy. You should write like someone who understands the project, knows where your background fits, and is ready to contribute to a research team.
Available PhD Research Projects
Bocconi is offering three FIS funded PhD positions under this call.
Research ProjectPrincipal InvestigatorPositions
| Research Project | Principal Investigator | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| BEFINE, Beyond Fine Grained Complexity | Prof. Adam Teodor Polak | 1 |
| DECODE, Decoding the Language of Single Cell Gene Regulation with Transformers | Prof. Andrea Tangherloni | 1 |
| POLEUROPE, Political Beliefs and European Political Integration | Prof. Guido Enrico Tabellini | 1 |
These three projects are different, so you need to choose carefully.
The BEFINE project is more suitable for applicants interested in theoretical computer science, algorithms, complexity, computational limits and mathematical reasoning.
The DECODE project is suitable for applicants interested in artificial intelligence, transformers, machine learning, computational biology, genomics and single cell gene regulation.
The POLEUROPE project is more suitable for applicants interested in political data, European political integration, computational social science, economics, political science and data driven research.
This is one of the hidden secrets of this call. A good application will not be general. It will be specific.
Fellowship Value and Benefits
The Bocconi PhD fellowship is financially strong.
The fellowship amount is:
| Year | Fellowship Amount |
|---|---|
| First Year | €27,000 |
| Second Year | €23,000 |
| Third Year | €23,000 |
| Fourth Year | Not specified |
Bocconi states that the fellowship income is tax free, but it is subject to INPS social security contributions. Part of the contribution is covered by the university, while the student’s share is deducted from the monthly gross fellowship amount.
PhD students also receive support for study and research activities. Bocconi’s PhD admission information mentions an annual research budget and support for research related activities, subject to the rules of the PhD programme.
This means the funding is not only about monthly support. It is also designed to help you build as a researcher.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply if you have completed or are completing a graduate degree that qualifies you for doctoral study.
Bocconi accepts applicants with Italian second level degrees and equivalent non Italian qualifications. The programme also requires English competence, with at least a proven B2 level.
You may still apply if you are finishing your graduate degree, but you must complete the required degree within the timeline stated by Bocconi. If you miss the required final degree deadline, your admission can become invalid.
This is important for final year Master’s students. You can apply, but you must be sure your graduation timeline will not block your enrollment.
Documents Required
You should prepare your documents carefully before opening the application portal.
The important documents include:
Academic CV.
Academic records.
Statement of purpose.
Research proposal or research interest section.
Proof of English competence.
Passport or identity document.
Passport style photo.
Reference letters.
GMAT or GRE score, if available.
Bocconi states that GMAT or GRE is not indispensable for this call, but it can improve the final ranking score.
This is another hidden secret. If you already have a good GRE or GMAT score, do not ignore it. It can help your application. But if you do not have one, your statement of purpose, academic record and project fit become even more important.
Selection Process
Bocconi uses a scoring system for this call.
Your CV and academic records can receive up to 50 points. Your GMAT or GRE can receive up to 10 points. Your statement of purpose and reference letters can receive up to 40 points.
This means your statement is not a small extra document. It can strongly affect your result.
Do not waste that space with empty sentences like “I am passionate about research” or “Italy is my dream country.”
Be direct.
Explain the project you are applying for. Show your academic preparation. Mention your technical skills. Connect your past work to the project. Show what kind of research question you want to explore.
A weak statement can damage a good profile. A strong statement can help the committee understand your direction.
What Many Applicants Miss
The first thing many applicants miss is that this is a project based call. You should not apply blindly to all three projects without understanding them. Pick the project that best matches your background.
The second thing many applicants miss is the importance of research fit. If you are applying to BEFINE, the committee needs to see your strength in algorithms, theory, mathematics or complexity. If you are applying to DECODE, they need to see your fit with AI, machine learning, transformers, genomics or computational biology. If you are applying to POLEUROPE, they need to see your fit with political economy, European studies, social science data or computational methods.
The third thing many applicants miss is the deadline. The application closes on 18 May 2026 at 23:59 CET. Bocconi states that applications must be submitted through the online system, and the deadline is fixed.
Do not wait until the last hour. Portals can slow down. Documents can fail to upload. Internet issues can happen. A serious applicant should submit early.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through Bocconi’s PhD application system.
Bocconi states that the application for this PhD call is free, and applications must be submitted exclusively through the online application portal.
Before you apply, go through the official PhD admission pages and read the call carefully. Confirm your chosen research project, check the document requirements and prepare your files in the correct format.
If you have technical issues with the portal, Bocconi lists phdadmission@unibocconi.it as the contact email for PhD admission support.
Application Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | 17 April 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 18 May 2026 at 23:59 CET |
| Results Published | By 8 June 2026 |
| PhD Start Date | 1 September 2026 |
This timeline is tight. If you are interested, start immediately.
Final Note
The Bocconi University Fully Funded PhD Fellowship 2026 in Italy is a strong option for students who want a funded PhD in Statistics and Computer Science.
If you are comparing more opportunities in Italy, you can also check the Sapienza University of Rome PhD Scholarship 2026 in Italy. For students still planning for a Master’s degree, the Bocconi University Master’s Scholarships 2026/2027 in Italy may also be useful.
Only three PhD positions are available, so apply early and make sure your application clearly matches the research project.
