Overview
PhD (Doctoral Level)
Duration: 4 years
Description
PhD (Doctoral Level)
Duration: 4 years
Study Locations: University of Galway (Ireland) and JRC Ispra (Italy)
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Hold a minimum 2:1 honours bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree
Have academic background in relevant disciplines (listed above)
Demonstrate interest in: Open data governance AI and digital policy EU digital transformation
Open data governance
AI and digital policy
EU digital transformation
Final-year students graduating by 2026 may also apply
Show willingness to work in interdisciplinary research environments
Be open to international mobility (Ireland and Italy)
Additional Information
Degree Level
PhD (Doctoral Level)
Duration: 4 years
Study Locations: University of Galway (Ireland) and JRC Ispra (Italy)
Available Subjects
This fully funded PhD scholarship is open to candidates from multidisciplinary backgrounds, including:
Computer Science
Information Systems
Political Science
Law
Public Policy
Public Administration
Data Governance
Digital Transformation
Artificial Intelligence Governance
European Studies
The research focuses on:
Open data ecosystems in Europe
Digital sovereignty and EU competitiveness
Data governance frameworks
Policy analysis and digital infrastructure
Strategic autonomy in European data strategy
Benefits
The European Commission PhD Scholarship offers an attractive funding package:
1 Financial Support
€25,000 per year tax-free stipend (University of Galway phase)
Approximately €45,000 annual gross salary during JRC phase in Italy (subject to taxation)
2 Tuition And Academic Funding
Full tuition fee coverage
Research and conference travel funding
Equipment and research allowance
3 Mobility And Career Exposure
Split residency: Ireland (Galway) and Italy (Ispra)
Direct engagement with European Commission policy work
Co-supervision by university and JRC experts
Access to EU-level research networks
Eligible Nationalities
Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:
Citizens of an EU member state, or
Nationals of countries associated with the EU Research Framework Programmes, or
Individuals who have been legally resident in an EU country for at least 5 years
Applicants must also be willing to relocate between Ireland and Italy during the program.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Hold a minimum 2:1 honours bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree
Have academic background in relevant disciplines (listed above)
Demonstrate interest in: Open data governance AI and digital policy EU digital transformation
Open data governance
AI and digital policy
EU digital transformation
Final-year students graduating by 2026 may also apply
Show willingness to work in interdisciplinary research environments
Be open to international mobility (Ireland and Italy)
Application Procedure
Prepare a CV and cover letter
Email application to: edward.curry@universityofgalway.ie
Use subject line: “Sovereignty Implications of European Open Data”
Shortlisting by University of Galway
Final interviews conducted by the European Commission JRC
Selected candidates join the doctoral program in 2026/2027 intake cycle
Application Deadline: 14 May 2026
Why This Phd Scholarship Is Important
This PhD is not just an academic opportunity—it is a gateway into European policymaking. The research directly contributes to the EU Data Strategy and Digital Sovereignty agenda, making it highly relevant for future careers in:
European Commission roles
Policy research institutions
International data governance organizations
Academic and think tank positions
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Is the European Commission PhD at University of Galway fully funded? Yes, the program is fully funded, covering tuition fees, providing a stipend in Ireland, and a salary during the JRC phase in Italy.
What is the deadline for the Galway PhD Scholarship 2027? The application deadline is 14 May 2026.
Who can apply for the EU Commission PhD Scholarship? Applicants must be EU citizens, EU-associated country nationals, or long-term EU residents with a relevant academic background in fields such as political science, law, computer science, or public policy
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Card
Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
University of Galway
Degree
PhD
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
International Students
Country
Ireland
Source
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