Another Strong Year for the ELLIS PhD Program: 2024/2025 Recruitment Outcomes
The ELLIS PhD Program continues to attract strong global interest, with thousands of applications and a highly selective admissions process. The newly admitted cohort will conduct cutting-edge AI research under joint supervision across leading European institutions, fostering international collaboration and mobility.
New Cohort Selected for ELLIS PhD Program
Interest in the ELLIS PhD Program continues to rise significantly. In the latest central recruitment round for the 2024/2025 cohort, around 3200 applicants from across the world registered on the ELLIS portal – slightly surpassing last year’s figures by 1% and confirming the program’s growing global reputation. After an intensive multi-phase evaluation process, 90 outstanding candidates were selected to join the program.
The newly selected ELLIS PhD students are set to embark on cutting-edge research projects alongside leading AI experts across Europe. Each student will be co-supervised by two advisors based in different European countries, ensuring a strong international dimension. A minimum six-month exchange with their secondary advisor further enriches the experience and fosters cross-institutional collaboration.
Current Overview of the ELLIS PhD Program
As of now, the ELLIS PhD Program includes approximately 400 students and offers three distinct tracks: Most students (73%) chose the academic track, demonstrating a strong commitment to foundational research. 16% of students opted for the industry track, highlighting ELLIS’s relevance in applied AI and its strong ties with leading companies. The interdisciplinary track, introduced recently, attracted 1% of the cohort – a small, but a promising sign of growing interest in bridging machine learning with areas such as social sciences, natural sciences, healthcare, or environmental studies.
The gender distribution among all ELLIS PhD students reflects ongoing challenges in achieving parity in STEM: 71% of the new PhD students identify as male, while 29% identify as female. Continued efforts in outreach and inclusive recruiting are essential to close this gap in the future.
Research topics within the ELLIS program span a broad range of machine learning disciplines: from natural language processing and computer vision to robotics, healthcare, privacy, and climate science. Students also benefit from dedicated training opportunities including summer schools, workshops, and ELLIS community events that connect them with peers and experts across Europe.
The next call for applications will be launched in September, with the application portal scheduled to open in early October.
More Information
Find out more about the ELLIS PhD Program: ellis.eu/phd-postdoc
Watch testimonials from ELLIS PhD students and learn about their experiences across Europe.
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The ELLIS PhD Program receives funding through EU Horizon initiatives, including the ELIAS and ELSA projects, supporting its mission to grow a world-class AI research community in Europe.
Since its founding in 2020, the program has aimed to keep and attract top AI talent to Europe by offering structured training, international collaboration, and access to a vibrant, interdisciplinary network of excellence. With a single application, candidates can explore diverse PhD opportunities across the ELLIS network and join a unique initiative shaping the future of European AI.
