Applications are currently being accepted for the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) PhD Program 2027. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About ELLIS PhD Program
The ELLIS PhD Program is a key pillar of the ELLIS initiative whose goal is to foster and educate the best talent in machine learning and related research areas by pairing outstanding students with leading academic and industrial researchers in Europe.
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. In addition, through the collaboration between ELLIS and the Max Planck Artificial Intelligence Network (MP-AIX), candidates can apply to both the MP-AIX and ELLIS PhD programmes, with the possibility of involving an ELLIS Fellow/Scholar and a non-AI advisor through MP-AIX.
Benefits of ELLIS PhD Program
- Work with leading AI and machine learning researchers across Europe.
- Joint supervision from multiple experts, providing broader research mentorship.
- International research experience through mandatory exchanges and collaborations.
- Access to networking and professional development activities, including summer schools and workshops.
- Choice of three tracks:
- Academic Track
- Industry Track
- Interdisciplinary TrackOpportunity to collaborate with top universities, research institutes, industry labs, and partners such as CIFAR and MP-AIX.
- Scholarship support is available through program funding and partner organizations.
ELLIS PhD Program Requirements
- Applicants should demonstrate strong academic preparation, research potential, and an interest in contributing to machine learning or related fields. Specific admission requirements depend on the participating advisor and institution.
- The application portal lists eligible advisors who are recruiting during the current round. Applicants should prioritise finding a suitable primary advisor, while the co-advisor can generally be selected later, within five months of acceptance.
- Some institutions require a separate application through their own admissions systems. Candidates should check each advisor’s profile and submit any required parallel institutional applications before the relevant university deadlines.
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
31 October, 2026
Opportunity Application
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ELLIS PhD Program
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