Doctoral Network researcher checker
For people seeking a funded PhD post — not for consortium coordinators. Planning tool only.
You will not hold a PhD on the recruitment date?
You will enrol in a doctoral programme during the project?
Mobility: not more than 12 months in the recruiting country in the prior 36?
You will apply to a EURAXESS vacancy, not to the consortium call?
These DN researcher checks pass
One or more DN researcher checks fail
What Doctoral Networks fund
Doctoral Networks implement doctoral programmes through partnerships of universities, research infrastructures, businesses including SMEs, and other socio-economic actors across Europe and beyond. The aim is to train highly skilled doctoral candidates, raise creativity and innovation capacity, and improve long-term employability.
All research areas may be funded. Each beneficiary must recruit at least one doctoral candidate and may organise secondments anywhere in the world. Official page updated 10 August 2026.
Three types
Standard Doctoral Networks
Doctoral programmes run by international, inter-sectoral partnerships. Training covers research skills and transferable skills for innovation and employability.
Industrial Doctorates
For candidates who want skills outside academia. Joint academic and non-academic supervision. Fellows should spend at least 50% of their time outside academia.
Joint Doctorates
Highly integrated programmes leading to a joint or multiple doctoral degree. Candidates enrol in a joint programme and are jointly supervised. Fellowships may last 3–48 months; the network may last up to 5 years.
Who applies to what
Researchers: apply to funded project vacancies on EURAXESS (updated daily). Do not submit to the consortium call.
Organisations: international consortia of at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Associated Country, with at least one in an EU Member State. Other organisations from any country can join above that minimum. Specific extra conditions apply to Industrial and Joint Doctorates.
Resubmission restrictions apply from 2022 for applications that scored below 80% the previous year.
Duration and 2026–27 money
- Fellowship: 3–36 months (3–48 months for Joint Doctorates)
- Network: up to 4 years (5 years for Joint Doctorates)
- DN 2026: opened 28 May 2026, deadline 24 November 2026, 17:00 CET, indicative budget EUR 593.03 million
- DN 2027 (Work Programme): opening 26 May 2027, deadline 23 November 2027, EUR 574.62 million
Sources: Doctoral Networks, DN 2026 call, Work Programme PDF, EURAXESS jobs.