PhD Day

We are pleased to announce the PhD Day 2026 "PLAN PROJECTS FOR YOUR FUTURE: AI's potential in proposal writing assistance" dedicated to all Earth Sciences PhD students in Italy.

The event will take place on September 14, 2026, at the Department of Geosciences of the University of Padua, as part of the joint SGI-SIMP 2026 Congress "Ter(r)ra: Resources, Risks, Respect."

We understand how crucial it is for doctoral students to refine their proposal writing skills. This PhD Day is designed to provide the opportunity to understand key steps in the process, develop solid ideas, and present them with impact.
In an increasingly competitive academic landscape, Artificial Intelligence, when used correctly, serves as an ethical and powerful ally. It does not replace the ingenuity, originality, or authenticity of a researcher's ideas; instead, it acts as a tool to refine drafts, suggest logical structures, and optimize language. Together, we will explore how to integrate AI properly through practical examples. Furthermore, we will take a look at the funding landscape—from Horizon Europe to national and European programs—to inspire innovative research trajectories.

Practical Information
Location: Aula Arduino, Department of Geosciences (Padua).
Registration: Please confirm your attendance by filling out the registration form: https://websurvey.unipd.it/indagini/index.php/393688?lang=en.
Credits: Doctoral schools have agreed to recognize ECTS/CFU credits for this training course.

Programme
10.00 - 10.10 Welcome to the PhD day
10.10 – 10.35 How to write a project proposal
10.35 – 11.00 How AI can help you during proposal writing
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee break
11.30 - 12.00 Project funding opportunities
12.00 – 13.30 Practical activities (PhD students will be guided by tutors in identifying the key steps for preparing a project)
13.30 – 14.30 Lunch
14.30-16.00 Pptx presentation of the different projects - discussion with tutors and experts in the fields

We hope this initiative will be a valuable resource for the future leaders of scientific research!
For further information, please consult the event poster or write to phdday@geoscienze.org.

We look forward to seeing you in Padua this September!

Organizing Committee
Anna Barbaro