[INFO] PhD Scholarships in Economics - Siena Italy

PhD Scholarships in Economics

University of Siena (Italy)

The University of Siena invites applications for the Graduate Program in
Economics. The University and the city offer a unique environment for
study and research in Europe.

Scholarships.A maximum of 20 students will be admitted. The 10 most
qualified candidates will be awarded a four-year scholarship of about
€10,500 ($16,500) per year, after tax, for a total of about $42,000
($67,000), plus tuition remission. A limited number of students can take
advantage of lodging offered by the University of Siena in the
Post-Graduate College "S. Chiara"
(http://www.unisi.it/santachiara/homeEn.html) sited in the historical
centre of Siena.

The Graduate Program. The goal of the program is to train professional
economists. Former students hold positions as economists in the
academia, in consulting businesses, and in national and internationals
economic institutions, such as central banks and regulators.

The first two years of the Program are devoted to full-time courses. All
of these are taught in English, the official language of the Program.
After fundamental training in Mathematics, Microeconomics,
Macroeconomics and Econometrics, a full menu of specialized courses is
offered. Students are exposed to different theoretical and
methodological points of view, in order to be able to explore the
frontier of economics in an original way. Students are also required to
participate in research activities, such as economics seminars and
workshops. Admission to the second year is conditioned on the results of
all first year final exams. Starting from the second year, students will
develop their own research, under the supervision of a faculty member.
While working at their dissertation, students are encouraged to
undertake periods of research in foreign academic institutions. In this
case the scholarship is increased by 50%. The doctorate is awarded after
discussion of an original piece of scientific work (which can be written
in Italian or in English). For further information about the Program,
please visit http://www.econ-pol.unisi.it/dottorato/

Application process. Applicants must hold, or obtain by September 30
2008, an Italian "laurea specialistica" or a "4-years laurea" or
equivalent 4-5 years foreign degree. There are no limitations on the
nationality of candidates. Prospective students are required to apply
using the on-line procedure at the following website:
http://dottorati.unisi.it/domande/elenco_proposte_24_maggio.asp

The deadline for application is May 23, 2008. In addition to the on-line
application, the following documentation is required (either in Italian
of in English):

1. Curriculum vitae 2. Academic transcripts. These must contain a full
list of courses taken and grades obtained. 3. Two letters of reference,
in sealed envelopes. These must assess the student's aptitudes towards
research, competence, scientific potential and maturity, in comparative
terms. 4. A research statement, not exceeding 1000 words. 5. (OPTIONAL)
A short scientific essay, not longer than 5000 words, resulting from
independent research by the candidate.

All required documentation must be sent by May 23, 2008 to the following
address: Ufficio Formazione e Post-Laurea DOTTORATO IN ECONOMIA POLITICA
c/o Collegio Santa Chiara Via Valdimontone n. 1 53100 Siena, Italy.

Selection of Students. The selection of candidates will be based on an
evaluation of their aptitude and competence to research. To this
purpose, the examination commission might ask some of the candidates to
sit for a written exam and an interview, to be held in Siena in the
late-Spring or early-Summer of 2008; in this case, the candidates will
be notified by email a couple of weeks before (however, the University
cannot be held responsible for failed communications due to the
candidate supplying late or incorrect information regarding his/her
address). The exams will be in Italian or in English. The University
reserves the right to exclude from the selection process, at any time,
candidates who do not meet the admission requirements.

Further information. For further information, please contact the
secretariat of the graduate program:

Francesca Fabbri: fabbri16@unisi.it Margherita Fusi: fusi3@unisi.it[posted for blogger.com]