PHD Program Process

Eligibility

Candidates must:

  • be a young science graduated in Italy (with Italian citizenship)
  • have been accepted into one of the following four PhD programs within the Harvard University Division of Medical Sciences: Biological and Biomedical Sciences (subdivided in five areas), Immunology, Neuroscience, or Virology.
  • have some previous research experience.

Funding

The Armenise Harvard PhD Award will be available through the Division of Medical Sciences and will cover, for the first 2 years, Stipend (10 months): ca. $20,000; Tuition: ca. $40,000; Healthcare Allowance (UHS/BCBS): ca. $3,300. In the final two years, the host laboratory will provide the stipend and research costs. Please note the actual costs of the program are provided in the DMS application materials.

Changes in status of awardees

Once accepted at Harvard University, candidates may change their PhD subject, and the lab within which the work is being conducted, without altering their funding status.

Evaluation and Reporting

Award recipients will be evaluated as part of the Harvard University DMS PhD program. Any publications arising from the PhD course should acknowledge the Armenise Harvard Foundation’s support.

Awardees will be invited to take part in Armenise Harvard Foundation Symposia from time to time.

Application Guidelines

Full information about how to apply to the PhD programs in the Division of Medical Sciences, plus information about all the areas of study, can be found at Division of Medical Sciences. Completed applications must be submitted by early to mid-December each year.   (The exact date can be found on the DMS website.)

Applicants will be expected to complete a Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Further information can be found at GRE and information about test sites in Italy can be found at The Educational Testing Service Network.

Applicants will also be expected to take a TOEFL test (a Test of English as a Foreign Language). Further information can be found at TOEFL. Information about test sites in Italy can be found at TOEFL Bulletin and Test Center List Directory.

The Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation will automatically be notified of candidates who complete the Harvard University DMS application process. No additional submission about funding is required. Candidates will be notified about the results of their application following their acceptance to the Ph.D. program.