The IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca

EADS is an international PhD program hosted by the IMT School, one of the seven Schools of Excellence in Italy, and one of the highest rated graduate schools in Europe, according to the most recent U-Multirank survey.  The IMT School provides rigorous training and close supervision in variety of disciplines in the social, human and natural sciences, welcoming multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches at their boundaries.

The IMT School is a truly international environment with students from all around the world. The School has a record of placing students in top research universities, policy-making institutions, and companies. English is the official language of the School. 

The PhD program in Economics, Analytics and Decision Sciences

EADS trains students to undertake cutting-edge research in a wide range of economic and social disciplines with a unique multidisciplinary approach that relies on the unifying language of statistics and data science, as well as on selected tools from computer science and psychology. 

EADS students also have the opportunity of completing their research projects under joint supervision (double-degree) with partner universities, including KU Leuven and the University of Alicante. All students are encouraged to spend part of their studies abroad, both within the Erasmus+ framework and through ad hoc mobility agreements.

Scholarships and funding

All students enrolled in the PhD program receive a scholarship of 1,353.58 € per month, which includes pension contributions and results in a net salary of 1,195.48 € for up to 4 years, with a possibility of graduating after the third year.

For the first three years, all students are offered on-campus housing and meals at the IMT canteen for free, which can be valued as an additional benefit of at least €800/month.
Furthermore, they are given additional financial support for mobility abroad, participation in international academic conferences, summer and winter schools, and other similar events.

Accommodation, desk and meals

All students are granted a desk and unrestricted access to the IMT campus, as outlined in the Campus Life page.

The campus, which is entirely accessible, is fully equipped with a variety of amenities, including areas for relaxation and socializing, coffee corners, a dedicated Turkish bath, a fitness spot, a leisure room featuring several entertainment facilities (such as foosball and ping pong tables, PlayStation consoles, and board games), kitchenettes equipped with a cooker, microwave, and dishwasher, and laundry rooms.

All students are provided with hotel-like shared double rooms, which are serviced regularly for 3 years.
Additionally, all students have complimentary lunch and dinner every day of the year at the canteen located on the IMT campus for 3 years.

Incoming student profiles

The EADS program welcomes candidates with training in one of the following subject areas: economics, management, statistics, law, physics, computer science, engineering, logic and philosophy of science, mathematics, cognitive and behavioral sciences, or in contiguous areas. 

The ideal candidate is interested in acquiring distinctive competencies in economics, analytics and decision sciences, but does not necessarily need to have previous training in these areas. 

However, it is crucial that the candidate demonstrates solid quantitative skills, comparable with those typically acquired in economics-managerial degrees.

Outgoing student profiles

The Program prepares to face, analyze and solve a wide spectrum of complex and policy-relevant problems at the institutional, social and industrial level, with the primary objective of identifying sustainable solutions and designing effective intervention policies in the economic and social spheres as well as in business life.

EADS graduated will have strong competencies on the analysis of economic decision-making and on the statistical-econometric analysis of data and economic evidence,  plus individual specialization along the lines of economics and management, management and decision sciences, or economics and decision sciences.

Job placement opportunities encompass academia (various disciplines, especially economic sciences and statistics), the public administration, international institutions, research laboratories, study centers, and regulatory authorities, as well as private companies (services, industry and professional advice). 

Past graduates in economic disciplines from the IMT School are currently working at leading universities, international institutions, research centers, banks, insurance and consulting companies, innovative startups and other private companies, with a focus on quantitative assessment and solution of complex problems (see Past Students page).

What EADS offers

•  International, vibrant, and interdisciplinary  research environment 

•  Rigorous training in economics, analytics and decision science 

•  Opportunity to meet leading researchers that visit IMT every year 

•  Free double room accommodation for 3 years with possibility of single room or support for external rental 

•  Desk in the campus 

•  Every day free meals (lunch and dinner) at the IMT canteen for 3 years 

•  Scholarship €16,243/year for up to four years 

•  Participation in exchange program 

•  Double degree programs