One of the main objectives of the University's internationalization process is the creation and consolidation of a network with prestigious universities in order to offer PhD students opportunities for research and professional growth at an international level.

Unisinos

IULM and the Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos signed a framework agreement in May 2019 with the intent to encourage teachers and PhD students to undertake exchange periods at their respective universities to share their experiences in research and teaching in order to develop possible joint projects.

UCI Irvine

Phd in Visual and Media Studies has initiated a collaboration with the Claire Trevor School of Arts, University of California Irvine, on the opportunity to exchange students and faculty. IULM PhD students will be involved in projects developed within the Trevor School of Arts art galleries, in the design of the new museum and in research activities to be developed within the Department of Media and Design

Research period abroad

Doctoral students can carry out training and research abroad, at universities or research institutes, for a period of up to 12 months (this period may be extended up to a maximum total of 18 months for joint PhD program).

For stays abroad of more than 15 consecutive days, the amount of the scholarship is increased by 50%.
Click here to download the pdf with the guidelines

Co-tutela di tesi (Joint Phd program)

The co-tutela (joint Phd program) involves collaboration between two universities in different countries in order to build a training path for PhD students enrolled at one of the two partner sites.
The PhD student in co-tutela does the thesis at both sites for alternate periods, under the supervision of two tutors. The training course ends with a single final examination after which the title of PhD (dual or joint), recognized in both countries, is awarded.

Co-tutela di tesi (Joint PhD program):

1. a framework agreement between the universities
2. a specific agreement for each doctoral candidate who undertakes this course.

The Rectors' Conference of Italian Universities has signed framework agreements for co-tutela di tesi (joint phd program) with France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland. However, it also be activated with other countries subject to the establishment of a framework agreement between the universities.

 

Within the scope of the right to study, a doctoral student is a university student enrolled in a post-graduate training course and is treated in the same way as students enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s degree courses.

The provisions on the right to study provided for by Legislative Decree no. 68 of 29 March 2012 apply to doctoral students.

Please refer to "Financial Benefits and Scholarships" to find out more information and check the available Calls

For further information please write to [email protected]

Students interested in undertaking a visiting period  at IULM must submit a request to the Doctoral Board by:

-5 July of each year

-5 December of each year

The PhD student must send the following documents by email:

a) their personal details and the name of the institution to which they belong;

b) their curriculum vitae, professional skills and any other element that allows a complete evaluation of their academic and scientific profile;

c) a description of the training and research activities they wish to carry out at IULM during the period indicated;

d) the period of stay at the University, normally not less than 30 days;

e) the commitment of their University to bear the costs of board, lodging and transport;

f) the name of the internal lecturer of reference (this must be a member of the teaching staff of the PhD course)

 

In the case of PhD Students, it is the Doctoral Board that submits the proposal for the visiting period to the Senate, in accordance with the deadlines set out in the Regulations for Visiting Academics (28 February and 30 September each year).

Applications will be assessed in March and October and, if approved, an official letter of invitation will be sent to the PhD Student.

The financing of doctoral fellowships

Companies can collaborate with IULM University to activate doctoral programmes.

The possibility of contributing to the definition of the research and study plan, which can also be partly developed within the company, represents for the company the opportunity to make use of highly qualified resources able to bring and immediately implement both strategic and methodological knowledge.

The interested company defines the doctoral research programme with the University and formalises the funding by agreement.

Psychological counseling

Since 2026, the PhD School for Communication Studies has activated a psychological counseling service aimed at PhD students, with the support of the Rector's Delegate for Inclusion, Disability and Psychological Counseling.

The service offers a space for listening and support to deal with difficulties related to the academic path, stress management and the balance between personal life and research.

Meetings are free, confidential and conducted by qualified professionals. There is a limited number of interviews; if there is a need for ongoing support, referrals can be made to outside facilities.

Access to the service

It is possible to book an initial interview:

• by writing to [email protected]

or

• by filling out the online form

For more information, see the psychological counseling page.

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan— (NRRP)  which is part of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) program, has made it possible to offer additional doctoral fellowships for the 38th cycle (a.y. 2022/2023), the 39th cycle (a.y. 2023/2024) and the 40th cycle (a.y. 2024/2025).

Specifically, for the Course in Visual and Media Studies:

In the 38th cycle a.y. 2022/2023 were activated:

• Inv. 4.1 PNRR Cultural Heritage Scholarships

grants activated: 2

CUP code H46E220000006

Main objective of the operation: The Investment aims to increase the human capital dedicated to activities oriented to research, public administration and cultural heritage through the allocation of specific doctoral fellowships

In the 39th cycle a.y. 2023/2024 were activated:

• Inv. 4.1 PNRR generic research doctoral fellowships

scholarships activated: 2

CUP code H46E23000050004

Main objective of the operation: Activation of doctoral fellowships in programs specifically dedicated to PNRR themes

• Inv. 4.1 PNRR Cultural Heritage fellowships

scholarships activated: 1

CUP code H46E23000010004

Main objective of the operation: The Investment aims to increase the human capital dedicated to activities oriented to research, public administration and cultural heritage through the allocation of doctoral fellowships specifically

By Ministerial Decree No. 1061 of August 10, 2021, new ESF REACT-EU resources have been allocated for active and accredited PhD pathways in the XXXVII cycle.

The measure implementsAction IV.4 - PhDs and research contracts on innovation themes andAction IV.5 -PhDs on green themes of the new Axis IV of the NOP Research and Innovation 2014-2020 "Education and Research for Recovery - REACT-EU," provided for in the new reprogramming of the Program for the purposes of the new thematic objective of cohesion policies "Promoting overcoming the effects of the crisis in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its social consequences and preparing for a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy" (Regulation (EU) 2020/2221 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 23, 2020).

Action IV.5 aims to enhance human capital to be engaged in PhD pathways on topics oriented towards ecosystem conservation, biodiversity, reducing the impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable development.

IULM University has activated for A.Y. 2021/2022 XXXVII cycle a total of 5 fellowships, divided as follows:

PhD in Communication, Markets and Society

• Project: Sustainability and tourism: strategies and dimensions of evaluation

Action IV.5 CUP H41B21007200007

Scholarships activated: 1

• Project: Defining a communication strategy framework for sustainability and resilience

Action IV.5 CUP H41B21007200007

Scholarships activated: 1

PhD in Visual and Media Studies:

• Project: ECO-BIOTICS GREEN Design of socially sustainable human-robot communicative interfaces in support of a Green Eco-Domotic and Eco-Urbotic

Action IV.5 CUP H41B21007200007

Scholarships activated: 2

• Project: AI and sustainability: AI and sustainability serving an environmental impact reduction interventionfor a university

Action IV.5 CUP H41B21007200007

Scholarships activated: 1