The ELLIS PhD Program is inviting applications from talented prospective doctoral researchers interested in machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and related interdisciplinary research fields. The programme offers an opportunity to work with leading academic and industrial researchers across Europe, participate in an international research network, and develop expertise in some of the most important areas of modern science and technology.
The 2026 application call is for candidates seeking to join the programme in 2027. Applicants can explore research opportunities spanning machine learning algorithms, computer vision, robotics, natural language processing, healthcare, climate science, law and ethics, finance, and other fields where artificial intelligence can contribute to scientific discovery and practical problem-solving.
A distinctive feature of the ELLIS PhD Program is its emphasis on international collaboration and joint supervision. Rather than conducting doctoral research in isolation, students work with supervisors from different institutions and, depending on their chosen track, collaborate with industry partners or specialists in disciplines beyond AI and machine learning. The programme also provides networking and training opportunities, including workshops and summer schools.
Interested applicants should begin preparing their applications early because the deadline is firm, the selection process is competitive, and some participating universities may impose additional admission requirements and earlier institutional deadlines.
About the ELLIS PhD Program
The European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) is an initiative designed to strengthen European excellence in modern artificial intelligence research. Its PhD Program is one of the initiative’s key pillars, with the goal of attracting, educating, and supporting outstanding researchers in machine learning and related areas.
The programme connects promising doctoral candidates with leading researchers from academia and industry. Through this network, students can develop their research capabilities, benefit from international scientific collaboration, and contribute to work addressing complex technological, scientific, and societal challenges.
Unlike a conventional doctoral programme that may be based primarily within a single research group, the ELLIS model places considerable emphasis on collaboration between supervisors and institutions. Doctoral candidates are jointly supervised by eligible researchers, with arrangements determined by the track they select and the participating advisors involved.
This structure is intended to expose students to different research environments, methods, and perspectives. It can be particularly valuable for researchers whose work requires collaboration across national borders, academic disciplines, or the boundary between theoretical research and practical applications.
What makes the ELLIS PhD Program distinctive?
The programme combines advanced research training with international collaboration and opportunities to engage with different sectors.
Its main features include:
- Joint supervision: Doctoral candidates receive supervision from eligible researchers who meet the programme’s requirements for their chosen track.
- International research collaboration: The programme encourages students to work with researchers and institutions in different European countries.
- Interdisciplinary opportunities: Candidates can explore how machine learning and AI intersect with fields such as biology, law, finance, psychology, and the social sciences.
- Industry engagement: Students following the Industry Track can collaborate with an industrial partner while maintaining an academic research connection.
- Research training and networking: Participants can benefit from workshops, summer schools, and other activities that support scientific development and professional connections.
- Access to a broad research community: Candidates can explore research areas and potential supervisors across the ELLIS network.
- Potential collaborative pathways: The programme includes arrangements involving the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and the Max Planck Artificial Intelligence Network (MP-AIX), subject to the relevant requirements.
These features make the programme particularly relevant to candidates who want to pursue research careers in universities, industrial research laboratories, interdisciplinary scientific institutions, or other environments where advanced AI expertise is valuable.
Research Areas Covered by the ELLIS PhD Program
The ELLIS PhD Program welcomes applications in a wide range of machine learning-driven research fields. Applicants can explore projects that advance AI itself or apply machine learning to solve challenges in science, healthcare, engineering, business, and society.
The research areas listed for the 2026 application round include the following.
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
This area includes deep learning, machine learning algorithms, machine learning theory, unsupervised learning, Bayesian and probabilistic learning, automated machine learning (AutoML), optimization, meta-learning, and interactive and online learning. Research in these fields explores how machines can learn from data, improve their predictions, and solve complex problems.
- Computer Vision, Graphics and Robotics
Applicants interested in intelligent systems that interpret visual information or interact with the physical world can explore computer vision, computer graphics, robotics, human-robot interaction, reinforcement learning and control, and multi-agent systems. These research areas are relevant to autonomous systems, intelligent machines, industrial automation, and interactive technologies.
- Natural Language Processing and Human-Computer Interaction
Research opportunities include natural language processing, information retrieval, human-computer interaction, human behaviour, psychology and emotion. These areas examine how AI systems process language, retrieve information, interact with people, and respond to human needs.
- Healthcare, Biology and Scientific Discovery
Research fields include bioinformatics, computational neuroscience, health, machine learning in science and engineering, and machine learning in chemistry and materials science. Candidates may investigate how AI can support scientific modelling, biological research, healthcare applications, and the analysis of complex scientific datasets.
- Climate Science and Sustainability
Applicants can explore earth and climate sciences, machine learning and sustainability, and related scientific applications. This work can involve developing computational approaches to understand environmental systems and support research into sustainability challenges.
- AI Ethics, Privacy, Safety and Security
This category includes interpretability and fairness, law and ethics, privacy, robust and trustworthy machine learning, AI safety, and security, synthesis and verification. It is particularly relevant to researchers interested in making AI systems more transparent, reliable, secure, and accountable.
- Finance, Social Sciences and Other Interdisciplinary Fields
Other areas include machine learning in finance, quantum and physics-based machine learning, symbolic machine learning, social sciences and humanities, and entrepreneurship and technology transfer. These fields allow researchers to investigate applications of AI in economic systems, public life, scientific disciplines, and the development of new technologies.
The list is not exhaustive. Applicants should review the available advisors and their advertised research interests on the application portal to determine which projects align with their academic background and research goals.
The Three Research Tracks Available to Applicants
One of the most important decisions applicants will make is identifying the research track that best matches their interests and career plans. The ELLIS PhD Program offers three tracks: Academic, Industry, and Interdisciplinary.
Although all three emphasises collaboration and joint supervision, their partner arrangements and research commitments differ.
- Academic Track
The Academic Track is designed for candidates who want to pursue doctoral research through collaboration between academic institutions in different European countries.
Students are jointly supervised by eligible ELLIS researchers at academic institutions. During their doctoral studies, they must spend at least six months visiting their secondary advisor in a different European country. The exchange period can be divided into multiple visits, provided the minimum requirement is met.
This track may suit candidates who want to build academic research careers, contribute to scientific publications, develop international research networks, or pursue future positions at universities and research institutes.
Applicants considering this route should identify participating advisors whose expertise closely matches their proposed research direction.
- Industry Track
The Industry Track connects academic research with industrial research and development.
Candidates collaborate with an academic partner and an industry partner, with supervision arrangements involving eligible ELLIS researchers. The industrial partner, industrial research laboratory, and industry advisor must be based in Europe, although they may be in the same city or country as the academic partner.
Students must spend at least 50% of their time at the academic partner institution and at least six months with the industry partner. The industry placement can be accumulated over time, such as two days per week, or completed consecutively.
This track may appeal to candidates interested in developing AI solutions for real-world applications, pursuing careers in industrial research laboratories, or working at the intersection of advanced research and technology development.
- Interdisciplinary Track
The Interdisciplinary Track is intended for candidates who want to combine machine learning or artificial intelligence with a field outside AI.
Examples include biology, law, finance, psychology, healthcare, and other disciplines where computational approaches can contribute to research and problem-solving.
Under this track, the student is supervised by an ELLIS Fellow or Scholar and a tenured faculty member specialising in a field unrelated to AI or machine learning. The candidate must spend at least 50% of their time with their primary advisor and at least six months with their secondary advisor.
The secondary advisor may be based at the same university or in the same city as the academic partner, provided the programme’s requirements are met.
Where both advisors are at the same university but in different departments, the six-month visit requirement does not apply. In that case, the candidate is expected to meet regularly with the second advisor and is encouraged to spend at least one month abroad during the thesis.
This track is particularly relevant to researchers who want to apply AI to substantive problems in another discipline rather than focus exclusively on the technical development of AI systems.
Summary of the three tracks
| Feature | Academic | Industry | Interdisciplinary |
| Main focus | Academic research collaboration | Academic and industrial collaboration | AI combined with a non-AI discipline |
| Supervision | Two eligible ELLIS researchers | Academic and industry research partners | AI researcher and tenured non-AI faculty member |
| Minimum exchange | Six months with secondary advisor in a different European country | Six months with industry partner | Six months with secondary advisor, subject to the same-university exception |
| Time at primary or academic partner | According to the research arrangement | At least 50% at academic institution | At least 50% with primary advisor |
Additional exceptions and alternative arrangements may apply through the ELLIS–CIFAR partnership. Candidates should check the current track-specific rules before applying.
International Supervision and Research Exchange Opportunities
The ELLIS PhD Program places considerable emphasis on collaborative supervision. Each doctoral candidate is expected to work with supervisors who bring complementary expertise and meet the requirements of the selected track.
The standard arrangements include:
- Two eligible ELLIS researchers for the Academic and Industry tracks.
- An ELLIS Fellow or Scholar and a tenured faculty member from a non-AI discipline for the Interdisciplinary Track.
- Certain arrangements involving a European ELLIS Fellow or Scholar and a CIFAR Fellow, a Canadian AI Chair holder, or an eligible MP-AIX researcher, depending on the partnership and track.
The programme’s central application process allows candidates to indicate preferences for research areas and potential supervisors who are participating in the current recruitment round.
The primary objective during selection is to identify a suitable match between the applicant and a primary advisor with an available position. A co-advisor can be identified at a later stage, up to five months after acceptance, in accordance with the programme’s requirements.
Candidates should therefore concentrate on the quality of the research match rather than selecting the programme solely because of its international reputation.
Collaboration with CIFAR and MP-AIX
The programme also offers pathways connected to other research networks.
The ELLIS–CIFAR partnership can permit joint supervision involving an eligible CIFAR Fellow or Canadian AI Chair holder. The Max Planck Artificial Intelligence Network collaboration also creates opportunities for candidates to apply to both the ELLIS and MP-AIX doctoral programmes, with possible involvement of an ELLIS Fellow or Scholar and a non-AI advisor through MP-AIX.
These arrangements are subject to the applicable eligibility and supervision requirements. Applicants interested in these pathways should consult the relevant official programme information before making their applications.
Application Deadline for the ELLIS PhD Program 2027
FIRM APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 October 2026
23:59 Anywhere on Earth (AoE)
Applicants must complete the application form, upload the required documents, and request their references before the deadline. Referees have until 25 November 2026 to submit their recommendations.
The 2026 recruitment cycle opened on 1 October 2026. According to the programme’s published schedule, the selection process will proceed as follows:
| Stage | Expected date |
| Virtual information session | 30 September 2026 |
| Application portal opens | 1 October 2026 |
| Application deadline | 31 October 2026, 23:59 AoE |
| Application review | November–December 2026 |
| Interviews | January–February 2027 |
| Decisions | Late February–March 2027 |
| Programme start | Depends on the advisor and institution |
The information session was scheduled before the portal opened. Applicants who did not attend should consult the official programme website and FAQs for guidance.
The programme does not have one universal starting date for all successful candidates. The actual start depends on the recruiting advisor and the relevant institution.
How to Apply for the ELLIS PhD Program
Applications must be submitted through the official online portal. The process involves registering an account, completing the application form, uploading supporting documents, and arranging references.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Step 1: Register on the application portal
Visit the and register as an applicant.
After registration, you will receive login details that allow you to access the application system and submit your materials.
Step 2: Identify research areas and potential supervisors
Review the available research fields and identify advisors participating in the 2026 recruitment round.
Applicants should consider:
- Their academic background and previous research experience.
- Their technical and analytical skills.
- Their proposed research interests.
- The research areas and expertise of participating advisors.
- The availability of an appropriate primary advisor and research position.
- Any additional admission requirements imposed by the relevant institution.
Only advisors listed as participating in the current recruitment round are eligible to recruit candidates through this call.
Some institutions may require a separate application through their own admissions systems. Check the relevant advisor’s profile for information on whether a parallel application is necessary.
Step 3: Complete the application form
The online form requests personal information, educational qualifications, relevant experience, and preferences for research areas and supervisors.
Applicants should ensure that their information is accurate and consistent with the supporting documents they upload.
Step 4: Prepare and upload the required documents
The programme specifies several essential documents.
- Two-page motivational letter and research statement
Prepare a two-page letter explaining why you want to pursue a PhD within the ELLIS network. The letter must also include a research statement describing:
- Your previous research projects and experience.
- Your current research interests.
- The questions or problems you want to investigate.
- The future direction of your proposed research.
- Why the ELLIS research environment and your preferred research areas are relevant to your goals.
You may also mention specific advisors with whom you would like to work.
Your statement should demonstrate a clear understanding of your proposed field and explain how your background prepares you for advanced research.
- Current curriculum vitae (CV)
Your CV should provide a clear overview of your academic and research profile, including:
- Educational background and degrees.
- Relevant work and research experience.
- Publications, with full citations where applicable.
- Research presentations.
- Academic and professional awards.
Where relevant, highlight research projects, technical skills, analytical experience, and evidence of independent problem-solving.
- University transcripts
Upload unofficial transcripts from all university studies, including bachelor’s and master’s studies where applicable, together with English translations.
Applicants should check that their transcripts are legible and that all required academic records are included.
- Optional supporting documents
Applicants may submit additional material, such as a thesis, published paper, or research project portfolio, combined into a single PDF of less than 20 MB.
Although optional, relevant research material may help demonstrate your research experience, technical capabilities, and suitability for the intended project.
Step 5: Arrange academic or professional references
Applicants must provide the contact details of at least two referees and may provide a maximum of three.
Contact potential referees before entering their details into the application system. Confirm that they are willing to provide a reference and can submit it before the deadline.
The programme requires referees who can assess your academic performance and research abilities. At least two referees should be established professionals at the level of independent investigator, principal scientist, group leader, lecturer, or above. A maximum of one reference may come from a postdoctoral researcher.
Suitable referees may include a thesis supervisor, academic lecturer, research group leader, or qualified professional from an industrial research laboratory who can comment meaningfully on your research abilities.
References from PhD students or classmates are not accepted.
Step 6: Submit reference requests before the application deadline
The applicant must request references through the portal before 31 October 2026 at 23:59 AoE.
Referees then have until 25 November 2026 at 23:59 AoE to submit their recommendations.
It is important to understand the difference between the two deadlines:
- 31 October 2026: The applicant’s form, documents, and reference requests must be completed.
- 25 November 2026: The requested recommendation letters must have been submitted by the referees.
Applicants cannot request a new reference or send a reminder through the portal after the application deadline. Applications missing the required references after the referee deadline are considered incomplete and will no longer be considered.
For this reason, it is advisable to contact referees well in advance and monitor the status of their recommendations.
Step 7: Check for additional university admission requirements
The ELLIS application does not necessarily replace the admissions process of the university or research institution where the doctoral degree will be awarded.
Some institutions have separate deadlines that overlap with the ELLIS selection period. If your preferred advisor requires a parallel application, submit it according to the institution’s instructions rather than waiting for the ELLIS selection process to conclude.
Missing a local university deadline could delay enrolment or jeopardise a potential position.
Applicants should verify these requirements directly with the institution or advisor concerned.
Selection Process and Competitiveness
Admission to the ELLIS PhD Program is highly competitive.
The programme reports that, in a typical recruitment round, fewer than 5% of all registered applicants and approximately 5–10% of eligible applicants are accepted. For the 2026 call, the programme expected approximately 200 advisors in its network to participate.
The process is intended to identify candidates with strong academic and research potential and a suitable match with participating supervisors.
The stages include an initial review of applications, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates and decisions by the relevant advisors and institutions.
A strong application should therefore go beyond demonstrating general interest in artificial intelligence. It should make a persuasive case for the applicant’s research capabilities and suitability for a particular research direction.
How to strengthen your application
Consider the following practical steps:
- Develop a focused research statement. Clearly explain the problems you want to investigate and why they matter.
- Demonstrate research potential. Highlight your thesis, research projects, analytical work, technical skills, or relevant professional experience.
- Identify suitable advisors. Ensure that your research interests align with the expertise and available positions of participating supervisors.
- Prepare a tailored motivational letter. Explain why the ELLIS network is relevant to your research goals rather than relying on generic statements about AI.
- Select appropriate referees. Choose people who can provide specific evidence of your research ability and academic performance.
- Check university requirements early. Determine whether additional applications, transcripts, or admissions documents are necessary.
- Submit before the deadline. Allow time to review all documents and resolve problems with reference requests or the application portal.
No application strategy can guarantee admission, but careful preparation can help applicants present their qualifications more effectively.
Diversity and Inclusion
ELLIS has explicitly stated its commitment to increasing the representation of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are encouraged to apply.
The programme also strongly encourages applications from people living with disabilities as part of its commitment to recruiting a more diverse research community.
These statements reflect the programme’s intention to broaden participation in machine learning and related research fields.
Candidates who meet the relevant academic and research requirements should consider applying regardless of whether they belong to a group historically underrepresented in AI.
Is the ELLIS PhD Program Fully Funded?
Prospective applicants should distinguish between joining the ELLIS research network and securing the funding or employment associated with a particular doctoral position.
ELLIS operates as a programme built around existing graduate programmes and research institutions. It does not itself award doctoral degrees or generally employ and fund PhD students. The degree is awarded by the participating degree-granting institution, and the candidate must satisfy that institution’s academic and administrative requirements.
The official programme information describes advisor-funded support for research and conference travel. ELLIS also reports support from G-Research through scholarship funding, alongside European Union-funded projects. However, these facts do not establish that every position recruited through the ELLIS call is fully funded or carries the same financial benefits.
Applicants should check the specific advisor’s vacancy, the university’s admission conditions, and the applicable funding arrangements before accepting an offer. Confirm details such as salary or stipend, tuition fees, research funding, travel support, contract duration, and other financial provisions directly with the relevant institution.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the ELLIS PhD Program
- Who can apply for the ELLIS PhD Program?
The programme welcomes qualified candidates regardless of nationality. Applicants should have an academic background and relevant skills that prepare them for their intended research area. Final eligibility and admission requirements depend on the position, advisor, and degree-granting institution.
- Do applicants need to be European citizens?
No. The official ELLIS FAQ states that European citizenship is not a requirement and that applications from qualified candidates of all nationalities are welcome. However, applicants must still satisfy the academic, institutional, and applicable immigration requirements associated with their position.
- Is a degree in computer science compulsory?
A computer science degree is not an absolute requirement for every research area. Candidates from fields such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and other relevant disciplines may be suitable if they possess the necessary background and skills for their intended research.
The best approach is to assess your qualifications against the requirements of the particular advisor and project.
- Is a published research paper mandatory?
The programme’s published application information indicates that research publications are not a necessary requirement for admission through the central recruitment process. However, publications may help demonstrate research potential and independence.
Candidates without publications should use their research statement, thesis, academic projects, and other relevant experience to explain their preparedness for doctoral research.
- Can I apply from Ghana or another African country?
Yes. The programme does not require applicants to be European citizens and welcomes qualified candidates regardless of nationality. Applicants from Ghana and other African countries can therefore apply if they meet the relevant academic and research requirements.
Successful candidates must nevertheless meet the institutional admission requirements and any applicable visa, residence, and employment conditions.
- When is the deadline?
The deadline is 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Anywhere on Earth. All required application components and reference requests must be completed by this deadline. Referees have until 25 November 2026 to submit their recommendations.
- When will successful applicants begin their PhD?
Decisions are expected in late February or March 2027. The actual start date depends on the recruiting advisor and the institution; there is no single common start date for all ELLIS PhD candidates.
Conclusion
The ELLIS PhD Program offers an opportunity for aspiring researchers to join an international community working at the forefront of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and interdisciplinary research. Its three tracks provide different pathways for candidates interested in academic collaboration, industrial research, or combining AI with another scientific discipline.
The programme’s emphasis on joint supervision, research exchanges, networking, and collaboration across institutions can be particularly valuable for candidates seeking to develop advanced research expertise and build international scientific connections.
Applicants should pay close attention to the requirements of their preferred research track, identify participating advisors whose work matches their interests, prepare a compelling research statement, and arrange appropriate references well ahead of time. They should also verify the funding and admission arrangements associated with individual positions rather than assuming that every opportunity offers identical financial support.
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The firm deadline for the 2026 application round is 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Anywhere on Earth. Qualified candidates from Ghana, elsewhere in Africa, Europe, and other parts of the world are encouraged to explore the opportunity and submit complete applications before the deadline.
