Graduate Student Opportunities
at Venice International University (VIU)
Opportunities for Rice Graduate Students — 2026
Rice University is a proud member of the Venice International University (VIU) Consortium. Through this partnership, Rice graduate students have access to a variety of fantastic graduate-level intensives across a wide range of disciplines. In some cases, successful applicants will receive funding to attend, and in most cases there is no program fee for Rice students.
VIU programs are developed through close collaboration among leading international universities and are endorsed by the VIU Academic Council. Participants study alongside peers and faculty from around the world while engaging with major global challenges.
Learn more here: https://www.univiu.org/study/intensive-graduate-activities
Rice Grad Students: Apply for VIU’s Intensive Graduate Activities!
Students and scholars are encouraged to explore programs early and apply as soon as calls open to secure a place. All Rice graduate students are eligible to participate; specific eligibility and application requirements vary by program.
If you are interested, please e-mail globalowls@rice.edu to get started.
Upcoming Deadlines
Visit the VIU site for many more opportunities in 2026, with application deadlines from February onwards: https://www.univiu.org/study/intensive-graduate-activities/2026
PhD Academies
Glass: from Magma to the Windshield, Passing through Murano
Dates: September 14-19, 2026
Call for applications: February 25, 2026 – May 15, 2026
Click to learn more
Graduate Seminars
Advanced Wireless Technologies for Enhancing the Radio Interface from 5G towards 6G
Dates: September 7-11, 2026
Call for applications: December 2, 2025 – May 4, 2026
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International Law in the Age of AI and Cyber
Dates: October 26-30, 2026
Call for applications: January 15, 2026 – June 25, 2026
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Summer Schools
Exploring Nucleic Acids: from biophysics to molecular biology
Dates: September 21- 25, 2026
Call for applications: January 30, 2026 – May 15, 2026
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Films in Venice and Filming Venice
Dates: August 31 - September 9, 2026
Call for applications: March 20, 2026 – May 20, 2026
Click to learn more
Types of Intensive Graduate Activities at VIU
VIU International PhD Academy
Interdisciplinary intensive programs on major societal challenges, with a parallel training program in transversal skills to prepare advanced PhDs for research careers in academia or in the private sector.
More info: https://www.univiu.org/study/phd-academy
Fees & financial support: Full fee waiver scholarships are available for students from VIU member institutions (including Rice). In addition, grant support is available to support partially or fully the costs of international travel. Accommodation is provided free of charge.
VIU Graduate Seminars
Thematic intensive seminars, on a focused topic approached from a multidisciplinary perspective. The aim is to support early-career PhDs who are beginning their research and to facilitate interdepartmental cooperation. Most graduate seminars are also open to advanced Master students as well as junior researchers. Significant cooperation among departments in the member universities is expected.
More info: https://www.univiu.org/study/graduate-seminars
Fees & financial support: Full fee waiver scholarships are available for students from VIU member institutions (including Rice). In addition, grant support is available to support partially or fully the costs of international travel. Accommodation is provided free of charge.
VIU Summer & Spring Schools
Intensive taught programs offered annually. Open to students at different academic levels, typically PhD students, post-doc scholars and young researchers. Please refer to individual program brochures for eligibility and details.
More info: https://www.univiu.org/study/summer-schools
Fees & financial support: Typically €100 - €300 in program fees to cover tuition, course materials, group lunches and social events. Participants will be responsible for covering travel expenses and accommodation. Some fee waivers and scholarships offered on a limited basis, see specific spring/summer school program for relevant details.