The ELLIS PhD Program is a Europe-wide meta-program for doctoral research in machine learning and related fields, run by the ELLIS Society. One central call each autumn reaches an expected 200 or so advisors through a single portal.
Students are hired by their primary advisor’s institution, which awards the degree, and are co-supervised by a second advisor elsewhere. The 2026 call is open until 31 October 2026, for PhDs starting in 2027.
Benefits & funding
- ELLIS pays no salary or stipend beyond small travel grants; advisors fund the PhD by contract or stipend, with amounts that vary by country and institution.
- Two advisors, plus ELLIS schools, workshops and networking events.
- An ELLIS certificate on meeting program requirements; the degree comes from the admitting university.
- Duty: at least 6 months with the co-advisor (Academic track: another European country; Industry track: an industry partner, with at least 50% of time in academia).
Eligibility
- Open to qualified candidates of any nationality.
- Final-year Bachelor’s or Master’s students may apply; whether a Bachelor’s alone is enough depends on the advisor’s institution.
- Admission needs a shortlist place, an offer from an advisor recruiting in the current call, and acceptance by the degree-granting university.
- Students already doing a PhD with an ELLIS advisor may use this call only within their first 6 months and if that advisor is recruiting; otherwise they join by nomination.
- The degree must come from a European institution unless one advisor is a CIFAR Fellow or Canadian AI Chair holder.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master
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Application process
- 1Register on the ELLIS portal and complete the form, choosing research areas and advisors from the current advisor list.
- 2Upload a two-page motivational letter with a research statement, a CV, and transcripts with an English translation.
- 3Request 2–3 references through the portal before 31 October 2026, 23:59 AoE; referees submit by 25 November 2026.
- 4Where an advisor’s profile says so, apply in parallel to their institution by its own deadline.
Program timeline
Application deadline
31 October 2026, 23:59 AoE
Reference letters due
25 November 2026
Interviews
January–February 2027
Decisions
Late February–March 2027
Program start
no common date; set by advisor and institution