Italian PhD Guide

1. Join these two Facebook groups.

Scholarship Network
https://www.facebook.com/groups/scholarships.pk/

Pakistan Scholarships League

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PScholarshipsLeague/

And look for Italian PhD Scholarship Version (download the latest).

2. It is a detailed file with universities, their deadline and call link. Please go through it
and make an excel sheet with all the details of those universities which have your
relevant field. (For example, student having background in thin films can apply for
Physics, Chemistry, electrical engineering, industrial chemistry, chemical engineering,
nanotechnology, photovoltaics, nanoscience etc if those subjects have relevant
position to offer). It is highly recommended to apply in as many departments as
possible in the same university to increase your selection chances. I will share my excel
file.
3. Carefully read the call and prepare your documents as per the call. Some universities
have application fee, you can search in the call with “fee” or “payment” word to make
sure if you want to apply for this university or not. The call will also have guidance how
and on which link to apply. Usually following documents are required for PhD
application.
i. CV: You should have a euro pass CV (If University has given specific format, then
you must follow that template). Your CV is very important, so please work on
this and always edit your About Me section for each position. Always link your
qualifications, motivation, projects, and experiences to that certain position.
For euro pass CV sign up on this link and create your CV. You can save it online
too. YouTube tutorial link is also given. Also keep improving your CV time to
time. If you signed CV is required, sign on a paper, take a picture, crop it and
paste it at the end of CV as signature in word format.
https://europa.eu/europass/eportfolio/screen/cv-editor?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7js4vjeJCI&ab_channel=UsmanAhmad

ii. Research Project: It is the most important document for your application. For
this you can search on google “PhD Research proposal on (e.g., perovskite solar
cells)”. You can find 2,3 proposals and can create your own by understanding
those proposals. You can also look for recent published articles and can find
 one interesting and novel article. That can help you to make a research
proposal. You can also use ChatGPT for research proposal. But in each case,
make sure it is rephrased in a way that it should seem your original work. You
can even merge all the above data to make a single proposal. The most
important thing is novelty or state of the art of the proposal which refers to the
new idea you are proposing. You should have 3 or 4 research proposals and
always upload the most relevant proposal with respect to the position. I’ll share
my research proposal; you can have the idea about its structure. If there is a
specific template provided by the university then you must follow that. Also, if
there is a limit of words, or requirement of specific headings, you should never
avoid it. https://www.findaphd.com/guides/writing-phd-research-proposal
iii. Motivation letter: It is also important document, but it is not usually required
by 60% universities. But in remaining cases it is required. You can make it using
techniques of research proposal mentioned above. You must always link your
previous research work, experience, and motivation with the position you are
applying. You should convince the reader that you are the right person for this
position. https://www.upgradabroad.com/articles/motivation-letter-for-phd/
iv. Degree Transcripts: Especially of masters and bachelors, Also Inter and matric.
You do not need HEC or MOFA attested documents at the time of application.
You need it at the time of visa processing.
v. Recommendation letters: You should have at least two reference letters.
Sometimes it is directly uploaded to the portal by the recommender.
vi. English proficiency certificate: Get your English proficiency certificate from
your previous university.
vii. Identity document: Passport or CNIC. You will have to display it during your
interview.
viii. Master thesis: Sometimes your master thesis as a whole or its detailed abstract
is required for the application.
ix. Publications: Sometimes publications and conferences details are asked
separately.
x. Qualification Declaration: Some universities require your master and
bachelors’ subject wise detail in a specific format. It is sometimes called self-
certification. Do not forget to sign it if it is required. I will share my doc.
xi. Annex: Some time university asks to submit a specific form either attached at
the end of the call or available on the website. Read the call carefully because
if its necessary and you do not upload it, your application will be rejected.
xii. Signed application form: Some universities ask you to submit your final
application form after signing it. So, download it, paste your sign pic and upload
it.