If you are a researcher, lecturer, or university staff member from a developing country looking for a fully funded short-term research opportunity in Europe, the CICOPS Scholarship Programme 2027 at the University of Pavia in Italy is one of the strongest opportunities currently open and the deadline is 10th June 2026. The programme is offered by the University of Pavia in collaboration with EDISU (Institute of the Right to University Studies) and provides 8 fully funded scholarships for visiting scholars from developing countries to conduct collaborative research at one of Italy's most prestigious universities for 4 to 12 weeks.
This guide gives you every verified detail eligibility, documents, the mandatory invitation letter process, the research stay periods, and how to write a competitive application.
About the University of Pavia and CICOPS
The University of Pavia, founded in 1361, is one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the top 15 universities in Italy across most major global rankings and it ranks 423rd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university spreads across 18 departments, with strong research infrastructure in sciences, medicine, engineering, humanities, economics, and more.
CICOPS the Committee for International Cooperation and Development, is the University of Pavia's dedicated unit for international research cooperation and mission is to strengthen academic ties between Pavia and institutions from developing countries, supporting the mobility of researchers and building long-term collaborative partnerships.
What the Scholarship Covers
The CICOPS Scholarship is fully funded. There is no application fee. Selected scholars receive:
- · Round-trip economy-class airfare to and from Pavia
- · Accommodation in a single-room university residence during the research stay
- · Two free meals per day through the university canteen services
- · Health and personal accident insurance for the duration of the stay
- · Weekly stipend of €150 (gross) for living expenses
- · Access to university libraries, laboratories, and computer facilities
- · Visa assistance and an official invitation letter to support the visa application process
- · An invitation to deliver guest lectures at the hosting department
This is a genuinely comprehensive package which is combination of travel, accommodation, meals, insurance, and stipend means scholars can participate without significant personal financial outlay.
Research Stay Periods
This is an important detail that most articles about this scholarship omit and your research stay at the University of Pavia must take place within one of the following two official periods:
- 11 January 2027 – 24 July 2027
- 6 September 2027 – 18 December 2027
You choose your preferred period and specific dates in consultation with your host professor and the duration of your stay must be between 4 and 12 weeks within one of these windows so you have to plan for your application around these dates if neither period fits your academic calendar or professional commitments, this may not be the right cycle for you.
Number of Scholarships
There are 8 scholarships are available for the 2027 programme and this is a small, highly competitive cohort where selection committee evaluates applications based on scientific relevance, alignment with existing Pavia research, the quality of the research proposal, and the academic profile of the applicant.
Priority is given to:
- Applicants from lower-income economies
- Institutions that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Pavia
- Applicants formally introduced by an Honorary Consul from UCOI/UCOIM associations linked to Pavia via cooperation agreement
Eligibility Criteria
The official CICOPS eligibility criteria are more specific than most articles report, So you have to confirm every requirement before applying:
Residency requirement: You must be currently residing in a World Bank low-income, lower-middle income, or upper-middle income economy at the application deadline and here Most African, Asian, and Latin American countries qualify.
Academic qualification requirement: You must hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree obtained by the application deadline and be currently employed by a university or higher education institution
OR
You must be currently employed (teaching, lecturer, research, or technical staff) for at least two years by:
- A university or higher education institution, OR
- A public or non-profit research centre, OR
- An intergovernmental or international public institution — but only if research or technical duties are documented
Additional requirements: You must not have received a CICOPS scholarship previously each person can only receive this scholarship once
1. If you are a PhD student who has not yet graduated, you can only apply if you are already institutionally engaged by a university or institution on a regular basis
2. You must not be enrolled in a doctoral or postgraduate programme at an Italian university
3. If selected, you must confirm your acceptance within 20 days of receiving the selection email
The Invitation Letter
This is the requirement that determines whether your application is processed at all.
Applications without a formal invitation letter from a professor at the University of Pavia will be automatically rejected. This is not optional, this is the single most important step in the application process, and it must be completed before you submit the online application form.
Here is how to get an invitation letter:
Step 1: Identify a potential host professor Use UNIFIND , the University of Pavia's official staff and research directory to find a professor or researcher whose work aligns with your research interests, this tool is available through the University of Pavia's website so you have to browse by department and field.
Step 2 : Contact the professor directly Send a professional, specific email introducing yourself, describing your research background and interests, explaining how your work connects to theirs, and asking if they would be willing to host you under the CICOPS programme for a specific duration within the 2027 stay periods. You have to keep your email concise, attach your CV, and make it clear you have already read their research not a generic outreach. Professors receive many requests; specific, well-researched approaches succeed.
Step 3: If you cannot find a contact If you do not have an existing contact at the University of Pavia and struggle to identify a suitable professor, write directly to CICOPS at [email protected] and explain your research interests and CICOPS will provide you with a research proposal form to complete and will attempt to connect you with a relevant department. Note: CICOPS can try to connect you but cannot guarantee a match.
Required Documents
Once you have your invitation letter, prepare the following for your online application:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) Preferably in European CV format. Name your file: LastName_FirstName_CV
2. List of publications At least two authored scientific publications in your proposed research field significantly strengthen your application. Name your file accordingly.
3. Invitation letter from your University of Pavia host professor This is mandatory. Name your file: LastName_FirstName_Letter
4. Research proposal (if required or if applying without a direct contact) A focused description of the research you intend to conduct during your stay at Pavia, its relevance to your field, and how it connects to your host professor's work.
How to Apply
1. Use UNIFIND to identify and contact a suitable host professor at the University of Pavia
2. Obtain a formal invitation letter from the professor
3. Prepare your CV in European format and your list of publications
4. Only after receiving your invitation letter, visit the official CICOPS application portal at http://cicops.unipv.it/cicops-scholarships/ and complete the online application form
5. Upload all required documents carefully — incomplete applications are rejected without review
6. Submit before 10th June 2026
7. Results are typically announced by 20th July 2026. Selected scholars receive support for visa processing, accommodation arrangements, travel guidance, and meal services.
8. After your stay: You are required to submit a report about your research work and outcomes upon completing your time at the University of Pavia.
Contact CICOPS directly: 📧 [email protected] 📞 +39 0382 98 4232 🌐 cicops.unipv.it
Tips for a Competitive Application
Start the professor outreach now ,not after June. Finding and securing a willing host professor takes time and many researchers receive outreach requests regularly and may take weeks to respond. Begin this process immediately, even before you have all your documents ready. Without the invitation letter, nothing else matters.
Tailor your research proposal to Pavia's strengths. The selection committee evaluates scientific relevance and alignment with existing University of Pavia research. Your proposal should not be generic it should specifically explain how your research connects to work already being done at Pavia and what value the collaboration adds for both parties.
Have at least two publications. While the original call lists publications as "if available," competitive applications consistently include published research. If you have publications, present them prominently. If you do not yet have two, prioritise submitting work before reapplying in a future cycle.
Apply in English. While Italian is the working language at Pavia, CICOPS communicates internationally in English. Your CV, publications list, and any correspondence with CICOPS should be in English unless your host professor specifically requests otherwise.
Be realistic about your dates. Confirm with your employer and institution that you can commit to a 4–12 week research stay in Italy within the specified periods before applying. Selected candidates who cannot confirm within 20 days of receiving the selection email may forfeit their scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the CICOPS scholarship open to researchers from African countries? Yes. The scholarship is open to researchers currently residing in any World Bank low-income, lower-middle income, or upper-middle income economy and most African countries qualify. You must also hold a PhD and be employed at a university or research institution in an eligible country.
Q: Is the CICOPS invitation letter really mandatory? Yes absolutely mandatory. Applications submitted without a formal invitation letter from a University of Pavia professor are automatically rejected without review and this is confirmed in the official CICOPS FAQ. Securing this letter is the most important and often the most time-consuming step in the application process.
Q: What is the deadline for the CICOPS Scholarship 2027? The application deadline is 10th June 2026 and results are typically announced by 20th July 2026. The research stay itself takes place in 2027 within the official periods: 11 January 24 July 2027 or 6 September - 18 December 2027.
Q: How many CICOPS scholarships are available for 2027? 8 scholarships are available for the 2027 programme and is a small and highly competitive cohort evaluated by a three-member committee appointed by the University rector.
Q: Can a PhD student apply for the CICOPS scholarship? A PhD student who has not yet graduated can only apply if they are already institutionally employed by a university or research institution on a regular basis. Students enrolled in doctoral or postgraduate programmes at Italian universities are not eligible under any circumstances.
Q: Can I apply for CICOPS if I have received the scholarship before? No. Each applicant can only receive a CICOPS scholarship once and revious recipients are not eligible to apply again.
Q: What research fields are accepted for the CICOPS scholarship? The scholarship covers virtually all academic disciplines represented at the University of Pavia including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Economics, Law, Humanities, Political and Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, and more. Your field must align with the research of your host professor at Pavia.
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