The Institute performs two types of function in specialist, post-graduate training and provides graduates both from Italy and abroad with scholarships for study in the fields of history, philosphy and literature.

The scholarship which the Institute provides is to cover expenses for study which bridges the gap between the university degree and a doctorate in research and is normally granted in the following proportions:

  1. a) regional: graduates and post-graduate students (without other scholarships) from universities in Naples and Campania (40%)
  2. b) national: graduates and post-graduate students (without other scholarships) from other Italian universities (50%)c) internazionale: citizens from both European and Non-european union countries holding a graduate degree or doctorate. (10%)

This diversity of scholarship student is important in that it favours an exchange of experience and, as such, is yet another training opportunity offered by the Institute. For their first six months, scholarship students must be resident in Naples in order to allow them to follow the courses and seminars organised by the Institute; in the six months that follow, they can carry out their research at another institution if necessary, either in Italy or abroad. Reports on the on-going research will be required as will regular meetings with both the Institute director and staff involved in the research project. At the end a final research report is required.

Scholarship work which reveals itself to be of particular merit will be published in the “Annals” or, if more appropriate, by the Institute’s monographic publishing house. Training consists of four cycles of weekly courses which alternate with seminars relating to history, politics and economics, philosophy, the history of historiographics, literary and art history and criticism. One of the course’s characteristics is that it has been organised in such a way that students are guaranteed the chance to attend and fully participate in the Institute’s activities over a period of six months. Other events, such as conferences, meetings and debates are foreseen throughout the year in collaboration with other universities and organisations.