The PhD Programme belongs to the third level of academic training stated in the Italian academic system and aiming to acquire the necessary skills to carry out high-quality research activities in universities, public and private institutions.
The PhD courses cover a minimum of 3 years lenght and a full-time commitment. The educational path consists in both defining and carrying out a research project through advanced training activities, and individual in-depth analysis. An original study bringing a contribution to the progress of knowledge or methodologies in the chosen field of investigation will result in a final dissertation.

The doctoral programs at IUSS are aimed at young graduate students, involve a full-time commitment and are given in English. The positions announced by the School are all filled with a scholarship for the entire duration of the program. For periods abroad, the scholarship may be increased to the maximum extent of 50 percent, for a maximum period of 18 months. In addition, starting from the second year of the program, the School provides all students with an annual budget to cover expenses related to research activities in the amount of 10 percent of the scholarship.

All IUSS doctoral programs have been accredited as innovative (international, interdisciplinary or intersectoral) by the ANVUR Agency.