Each student completes his/her dissertation under one or more supervisors, assigned to her/him by DEFAP Managing Committee.

An extension of up to six months can be granted by the Managing Committee on the ground of the reports provided by two external experts. During the extension period no scholarship is provided.

The Ph.D. dissertation can be focused on any of the Faculty member research area, and it must be written in English. The thesis is composed of a foreword and at least two chapters. The essays can pertain to different topics within the same field. Both chapters must be based upon original research in the chosen field, providing contribution from a theoretical and/or an empirical standpoint. The thesis chapters should be in the form of full length research papers, and at least one of them should be publishable in an international scientific journal with peer review. In the foreword the candidate should declare which chapters are co-authored, the name of each co-author, his/her affiliation, and his/her role in developing the joint research.