The EMBL International PhD Programme is run by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and provides interdisciplinary research training in the life sciences. Students conduct doctoral research with an EMBL group at one of six European sites while receiving individual supervision and guidance from a Thesis Advisory Committee.
Students register with a university that awards the degree and follow a curriculum combining scientific, bioinformatics and career-development training. The 2026 summer round is closed; the 2027 winter round opens on 1 September 2026.
Benefits & funding
- Predoctoral fellowships are initially awarded for 3.5 years, with a possible six-month extension; the average PhD duration is about four years.
- Fellows receive a stipend plus benefits that include health care and pension provision.
- The programme provides research facilities, close scientific mentoring, a nine-week first-year molecular biology core course, a one-week second-year bioinformatics module and third-year career-development training.
- EMBL charges no application, interview, processing or training fee.
Eligibility
- Applicants of all nationalities may apply; equally qualified applicants from EMBL member states receive priority.
- Applicants must hold, or expect to receive before starting, a university degree that formally qualifies them to enter a PhD or equivalent programme in the country where it was awarded. This may be a qualifying Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, depending on that country’s system.
- Written and spoken English proficiency is required, but GRE, IELTS and TOEFL scores are not required.
- At least two academic reference letters are required.
- No strict age limit or nationality, residency, gender or work-experience restriction is stated. Prior EMBL association is permitted but may receive specific review by the Graduate Committee.
Can you apply?
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Education required
Bachelor · Master
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Application process
- 1Create an account in the EMBL online application portal.
- 2Complete the application form and indicate relevant recruiting research groups.
- 3Arrange at least two academic references and submit the form by 12 October 2026 at 23:59 CET; referees have until 14 October 2026 at 23:59 CET.
- 4Amend and resubmit the application before the deadline if any information changes.
- 5Shortlisted candidates progress through online screening, a virtual panel assessment and in-person interviews at the relevant EMBL site.
Program timeline
Applications open.
1 September 2026
Application deadline.
12 October 2026, 23:59 CET
Academic reference deadline.
14 October 2026, 23:59 CET
Written application results.
Second half of October 2026
Online screening interviews.
27 October–13 November 2026
Virtual panel assessment.
1 December 2026
In-person interviews at EMBL-EBI, Barcelona, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.
25–29 January 2027
In-person interviews at EMBL Heidelberg.
1–4 February 2027
Flexible programme start, no later than this month.
By October 2027