PhDs are qualified as ground-breaking with an international characterisation if at the time of accreditation by ANVUR they present at least one of the following characteristics (specified in the MIUR guidelines adopted with Note 3315 - February 1, 2019):

• PhDs in collaboration with foreign universities and research organisations;
• PhD related to participation in international calls (Marie Sklodowska Curie, ERC, etc.);
• at least 25% of the doctoral committee's members are professors from qualified foreign universities or research centres;
• presence of any curricula in collaboration with foreign universities and research bodies and average duration of the period abroad of at least 12 months;
• at least one-third of the students enrolled in the PhD programme has an admission qualification acquired abroad.