The CICOPS Scholarship, run by the University of Pavia’s Center for Global Strategic Engagement, funds short-term research stays in Pavia, Italy. Eight visiting scholars get between 4 and 12 weeks here, which sounds generous until you see how many apply. Established by CICOPS (the Committee for International Cooperation and Development) with EDiSU, the program tries to nudge global academic exchange along without too much bureaucracy. Recipients get a decent package: round-trip economy flight, a single room in a university residence, two free meals a day, health and accident insurance, plus a weekly stipend.

No application fees, no hidden costs – just actual support for research collaboration. You also get access to Pavia’s libraries, labs, and computing facilities. Not bad for a medieval town with excellent coffee. Preference goes to applicants from lower-income economies and those whose home institutions already have cooperation agreements with Pavia. But first you need an invitation letter from a University of Pavia professor. No letter, no application. Pavia, one of Italy’s oldest universities, uses its historic campus to host scholars working on development, international relations, and strategic studies, though you’ll spend most of your time actually researching, not sightseeing.

Founded in 1361 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, the University of Pavia is one of Europe’s most ancient academic institutions, though its intellectual roots stretch back to the ninth century. It’s the kind of place where the ghosts of Nobel laureates like Camillo Golgi and physicist Carlo Rubbia seem to linger in the hallways, alongside the more tangible legacy of Alessandro Volta, the physics professor who invented the electric battery and later served as rector. The university spreads across 18 departments and two faculties, with strong research infrastructures, and is home to over 26,000 students. The university ranks 423rd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, 340th in the US News Global Universities ranking, and 351st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. It’s consistently among the top 15 universities in Italy across most major rankings.

Program Details

• Host Institution: University of Pavia – Center for Global Strategic Engagement (CICOPS) & EDiSU, Pavia, Italy.
• Eligible Program: Short-term research collaboration (4–12 weeks) under a Pavia-based academic supervisor.
• Number of Awards: 8 scholarships, highly competitive.
• Duration: Choices of January 11 to July 24, 2027 or September 6 to December 18, 2027.
• Target Group: University faculty and researchers from low, lower-middle, and upper-middle income countries (World Bank classification).

CICOPS Scholarship Benefits

Selected applicants for the CICOPS Scholarship receive fully funded support that includes:

1. Round-trip economy-class airfare to and from Pavia
2. Single-room university residence accommodation and two free meals per day at university canteens
3. Comprehensive health and accident insurance
4. Weekly stipend of €150 (gross)
5. Access to libraries, labs, and an invitation to deliver guest lectures (they might actually ask you to).

CICOPS Scholarship Eligibility

To apply for this Italian university scholarship, candidates must:

• Reside in a World Bank low-income, lower-middle, or upper-middle income economy at the application deadline
• Hold a PhD (or equivalent) by the deadline and currently work at a university / higher education institution in an eligible country
• Alternatively, have at least two years of current employment (teaching, research, or technical staff) at a university, public/non-profit research centre, or eligible intergovernmental institution based in an eligible country
• Demonstrate recent research activity via at least two authored scientific publications in the field of your proposed joint research
• Not be enrolled in a doctoral or postgraduate course at any Italian university (that disqualifies you immediately)
• Not have received a CICOPS scholarship before (once is the limit).

Available Programs

Scholars engage in development-focused research aligned with University of Pavia initiatives, working closely with their designated host professor. You’ll need to show recent research activity. At least two authored scientific publications in your proposed field.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated by a committee of three members appointed by the rector. They look at:

• Scientific relevance and alignment with existing Pavia research
• Quality and impact of the candidate’s CV
• Fair distribution across departments and geographic regions
• Priority to applicants from lower-income economies, institutions with Pavia MoUs, and those formally introduced by an Honorary Consul from UCOI/UCOIM associations linked to Pavia via cooperation agreement.

How to Apply for the CICOPS Scholarship

To apply for this Europe scholarship program, you must follow the steps below to submit your application:

1. Obtain an invitation letter from your prospective host professor at Pavia. If you don’t know anyone, use UNIFIND (the university’s staff search tool) to find a match. The CICOPS office won’t suggest supervisors for you.
2. Complete and submit the online form at cicops.unipv.it/cicops-scholarships.
3. Upload all required documents (see below) by the deadline. Incomplete applications get rejected, no exceptions, so don’t test them.

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae in European format with publication list (file named “Surname_Name_CV”).
2. Invitation letter from the host professor confirming the feasibility of the research program (file named “Surname_Name_Letter”).

Terms and Conditions

• Scholars must confirm acceptance within 20 days of award notification and specify exact stay dates.
• Upon confirmation, the university arranges visa support, flight booking (economy class), insurance, housing, meal access, and stipend payment after arrival.
• No changes to the approved stay dates or research plan without written consent; they mean it.
• Compliance with EDiSU residence regulations and health safety protocols is mandatory; violations terminate the scholarship.
• Scholars may be asked to deliver lectures and must submit a final report plus copies of any publications resulting from the visit.

The application deadline is June 10, 2026. The selection committee announces its decision by July 20, 2026. For more details on the CICOPS Scholarship, visit the official page and read the FAQ carefully before emailing them. They only reply if your question isn’t already answered there.