ELLIS PhD Program 2026 provides joint-supervised PhD positions in machine learning and related fields, pairing outstanding students with leading academic and industrial researchers across Europe. The ELLIS PhD Program supports networking and training activities, and candidates can apply to Academic, Industry or Interdisciplinary tracks.
The program is run by the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) and receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon programmes (ELIAS and ELLIOT) and support from G-Research; admissions and coordination are managed via the ELLIS PhD application portal.
ELLIS PhD Program Benefits
- The program also offers a variety of networking and training activities, including summer schools and workshops.
- Each PhD student is co-supervised by one ELLIS Fellow/Scholar or Unit Member and one ELLIS Fellow/Scholar, Unit Member or Member based in different European countries.
- Joint supervision with a CIFAR fellow/Canadian AI Chair holder is also possible as part of our ELLIS/CIFAR partnership.
- Through the collaboration between ELLIS and MP-AIX, candidates can apply to both the MP-AIX and ELLIS PhD programmes.
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ELLIS PhD Program Eligibility Criteria
- Students conduct an exchange of at least 6 months with the secondary advisor during their degree.
- ELLIS PhDs are either jointly supervised by two ELLIS researchers or by combinations involving CIFAR fellows/Canadian AI Chair holders or MP-AIX researchers as specified.
- Recommendation letters: min. 2 referees (max. 3); at least two referees should be professionally established at the level of independent investigator, principal scientist, group leader, lecturer or above.
- References from PhD students or class mates are not accepted; a maximum of one reference may come from a postdoc.
- Applicants must provide unofficial transcripts of all university studies and translations into English where applicable.
How to Apply for ELLIS PhD Program
- Interested candidates should apply online through the ELLIS application portal by 31 October 2026, 23:59 AoE. Applicants first need to register on the portal.
- After registering, applicants will receive their login details for the portal and can submit their application.
- The application consists of three parts: (1) Application form; (2) Documents to be uploaded as PDFs; (3) References requested via the portal.
- Required documents include a two-page motivational letter (with research statement), current CV, unofficial transcripts (with English translations), and optionally a thesis or published paper as a single PDF.
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Saturday, 31 October 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the ELLIS PhD Program. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, application steps, and supervision arrangements to help prospective applicants.
What is the ELLIS PhD Program?
The ELLIS PhD Program is an initiative to foster and educate top talent in machine learning and related research areas by pairing outstanding students with leading academic and industrial researchers across Europe. It features joint supervision, networking, training activities, and multiple research tracks.
What are the application deadlines?
The application portal opens 1 October 2026 and the firm application deadline is 31 October 2026, 23:59 AoE. Reference requests must be submitted via the portal before the general deadline; referees then have until 25 November 2026 to submit their recommendations.
How do I apply to the program?
Applicants must register and apply online through the ELLIS application portal. After registering, applicants receive login details to submit the application, which comprises an application form, required documents uploaded as PDFs, and reference requests via the portal.
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include a two-page motivational letter with a research statement, a current CV detailing education and publications, unofficial transcripts of all university studies with English translations where necessary, and optionally a thesis or published paper as a single PDF under 20 MB.
How many referees are required and who can be a referee?
Applicants must provide contact details for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 referees. At least two referees should be professionally established (e.g., independent investigator, principal scientist, group leader, lecturer). References from PhD students or classmates are not accepted.
What supervision arrangements are required?
PhD students are co-supervised: either by two ELLIS researchers both based in Europe, by an ELLIS Fellow/Scholar and a tenured faculty in a non-AI field (Interdisciplinary Track), or by combinations involving CIFAR fellows/Canadian AI Chairs or MP-AIX researchers as specified in the call.
Are international exchanges required during the PhD?
Yes. Students must conduct an exchange of at least six months with their secondary advisor during their degree. Exceptions exist if both advisors are in the same university; in that case a six-month visit may not be required but at least one month abroad is encouraged.
What research areas are eligible for the program?
Research areas include a broad range of machine learning-driven fields such as AutoML, Bayesian learning, bioinformatics, causality, computer vision, deep learning, climate sciences, health, HCI, NLP, reinforcement learning, robotics, privacy, security, interpretability and fairness, among others listed on the website.
Is the program funded and who funds it?
The ELLIS PhD Program has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon research and innovation programme under the ELIAS and ELLIOT grants. Additionally, G-Research supports the ELLIS PhD & Postdoc Program through scholarship funding through 2028.
Who can I contact for more information?
For questions about the PhD application and the program, contact the PhD Coordination Office at phd@ellis.eu. Applicants are also advised to read the FAQs and the PhD/Postdoc webpage linked from the ELLIS site before applying.
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