Helmholtz and ELLIS launch joint PhD program in AI

ELLIS was founded in 2018 to strengthen Europe’s position in machine learning and retain top research talent on the continent. Since then, it has grown into a network of more than 40 units in 17 countries, spanning fundamental AI research, technical innovation, and work on the societal impact of AI. At Helmholtz, HIDA coordinates doctoral training across the association through research schools and a mobility program that enables PhD researchers to spend time at partner institutions abroad. Joining forces with ELLIS extends that existing infrastructure to a pan-European network of machine learning groups, giving prospective doctoral researchers access to both communities and to leading AI labs across Europe.

Researchers employed by or officially affiliated with a Helmholtz Center may participate in the program as supervisors. Within the program, Helmholtz PIs can:

• act as main supervisor or co-supervisor, jointly supervising doctoral researchers with AI researchers from the ELLIS network,
• host research secondments (minimum six months),
• provide doctoral researchers with access to HIDA training, networking opportunities, and mobility funding for research stays of one to six months at partner institutions (subject to available funding).

Doctoral researchers also benefit from participation in the ELLIS doctoral community, including summer schools, doctoral symposia, unit activities, and research networks.

Interested Helmholtz PIs can find the full eligibility criteria and fact sheet on the HIDA program page, including the detailed fact sheet (PDF). The application platform will open in October 2026.