Address: Viale Francesco Crispi 7, 67100 L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy
Astroparticle Physics, Mathematics in Natural, Social & Life Sciences, Computer Science
L’Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, is the home of the Gran Sasso Science Institute, or GSSI, an international graduate school and research institute. The project grew out of the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake as a way to relaunch the area, and the Italian government approved it in 2012. Teaching started in the 2013-2014 academic year, and at first GSSI depended on the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN).
The institute offers doctoral programmes in four areas: astroparticle physics, mathematics, computer science, and social sciences including regional science and economic geography. The physics programme is tied to the INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratories, which are located near L’Aquila.
The first cohort of PhD students was selected from a large international pool of applicants. Since 2016 GSSI has been an autonomous institution; INFN, SISSA, IMT, Sant’Anna and the University of L’Aquila were the partners named in the original proposal. Details on current calls for applications, grants and living arrangements are published on the institute’s official site.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Astroscience, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Mathematics, Physics, Software Engineering, Statistics
Diplomas*:
Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
International PhD school with strong links to INFN. Collaborations with universities worldwide.
Research:
Dark matter research, Gravitational wave astronomy, Applied mathematics for complex systems, Cybersecurity, Urban resilience.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
100
Current students***:
200
Foreign students***:
50%
Cumulative former students***:
500
Pros
Focus on doctoral and postdoctoral research, direct connection with world-class research infrastructure (LNGS), highly international.
Cons
Exclusively postgraduate, very specialized fields of research.
Best For
International PhD school for advanced research in physics, mathematics, and computer science.
Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati in Trieste is a public graduate school with theoretical particle physics, condensed matter physics and brain research, the closest peer in type.
Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa is a public institution with physics, mathematics and chemistry, a research-focused school of advanced studies.
Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Pisa is public with robotics, photonics and agricultural sciences, and it was among the partners named in GSSI's original proposal.
Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori di Pavia is a public institute for cognitive science, brain research and biomedical engineering.
Università degli Studi dell'Aquila is a public university in the same city with physics, engineering and computer science, and it was among the partners named in GSSI's original proposal.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
IHES in France is a private institute devoted to mathematics and theoretical physics, a small research centre.
Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur in France is public with astrophysics and planetology and geosciences, close to the astroparticle interests of GSSI.
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan is public with particle and nuclear physics and fusion science, a graduate-focused institution.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University in Japan is a private graduate university for physics, chemistry, marine science and brain research.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When did the Gran Sasso Science Institute start working?
The Italian government approved the project in 2012, and the PhD programme began in the 2013-2014 academic year. At first it depended on INFN, and it became autonomous in 2016.
Where is GSSI located?
In the city of L'Aquila, in Abruzzo, Italy. The institute is close to the INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratories, with which its physics research is connected.
Which research areas does the institute cover?
Doctoral programmes exist in astroparticle physics, mathematics, computer science and social sciences, the last including regional science and economic geography. Each area has its own call for applications.
What was the idea behind the institute?
The project grew out of the 2009 earthquake as a way to relaunch L'Aquila as a scientific centre, with an international PhD school at its core.
What role did INFN play?
The National Institute for Nuclear Physics was made responsible for organising GSSI during its first three years. The institute became autonomous in 2016.
How can I apply?
Calls for PhD positions are published on the institute's website with deadlines and requirements. Candidates should read each call for the research area, the documents needed and the grant conditions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Astrophysics, Cybersecurity, Environmental Engineering, Mathematics, Sustainable Development
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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