EPFL PhD Excellence Program

• Provide specialized training in leadership and related transversal skills
• Introduce PhD candidates to careers outside of academia
• Provide an exclusive opportunity to build a network with non-academic leaders, including alumni/ae
• Create a unique and diverse community of EPFL PhD candidates with similar aspirations

The PhD Excellence Program will include a mandatory leadership training and coaching specially designed for the Program, and selected courses on the themes of communication, policy and governance, technology transfer, risk management and many others. 

Participants will also be able to attend networking and knowledge exchange events such as seminars, company visits and alumni meetings. They will have the opportunity to build a network of contacts with business leaders and non-profit organizations.

The elements of the program are:

• Leadership training and coaching (8 days workshop, 2 coaching sessions, approx. 120 hours)
• Training in effective communication (2 days workshop, approx. 12 hours)
• Transversal skills courses selected from a list of courses specifically designed and selected for the program (5 ECTS)
• Networking events (1 evening per semester, approx. 40 hours)

EPFL doctoral candidates who have passed their candidacy exam will be selected for each call. Admitted PhD candidates will follow the program activities during the remaining three years of their PhD studies. At the end of the Program, they will receive a certificate listing the activities and training they have successfully completed during the PhD Excellence Program.

The Program members will start with the leadership training and coaching, and the workshop on effective communication, which must be completed in the first year of the Program, while the transversal skills courses can be taken throughout the Program. As for the networking events, it is planned to organize one per semester.

Interested applicants should review “Important Dates” to ensure their availability for the obligatory program elements.

The Program is available to current EPFL doctoral candidates in all disciplines represented at EPFL provided they meet the following conditions:

• Have successfully passed their candidacy exam within the last 12 months, or who will have passed their candidacy exam by the time the Program starts in May 2026
  • i.e. Have matriculated at EPFL between May 31st 2024 – May 31st 2025 (be in the second year of their PhD studies)
  • For those who will not have taken their candidacy exam before the submission deadline, a conditional acceptance can be granted subject to the result of the candidacy exam
• Not already following a customized curriculum, such as EPFLinnovators and EPFLglobaLeaders or being candidates under an inter-institutional agreement
• Have the written approval of the thesis director to participate in the Program

Applications that meet the formal requirements will be evaluated by the admissions committee.

The evaluation criteria are as follows:

• The level of excellence of the academic achievements of the applicant at the time of the application: academic results and progress in the thesis
• Motivation and evidence of the personal commitment of the applicant to pursue a career in the non-academic sector and to contribute to wider society

An admissions committee made of professionals from different domains will rank the written and video applications based on the evaluation criteria.

EDOC communicates the decision of the admissions committee to the applicants in writing.

There is one deadline per year for the submission of applications. The next deadline for application submission will be February 6th, 2026 at 17:00 Swiss local time.

Complete applications must be submitted by doctoral candidates in electronic format by the submission deadline here (link only active when application is open).

Applications must contain the following documents:

• A CV (maximum 2 pages)
• A list of research publications or patents, if applicable (max 1 page)
• A letter of support by thesis director (using the template provided)
  • In the case of thesis co-directors, both co-directors must support the application (either by both signing one letter or by submitting two signed letters, as preferred)
  • Please note that references letters are due one week from submission (deadline: February 14th, 2025) – please make sure your letter writers are aware of this date.
• A reference letter from outside academia (e.g. from an internship, or extracurricular activity), if applicable
  • Please note that references letters are due one week from submission (deadline: February 14th, 2025) – please make sure your letter writers are aware of this date.
• A short video (maximum 2 minutes)
  • Introduce yourself
  • Why are you applying for this program?
  • What do you hope to get out of the EPFL Excellence Program?
  • Bonus: What significant global challenge do you hope to address in your future and how?

Interested applicants should review “Important Dates” to ensure their availability for the obligatory program elements.

An information session is planned each year before the next application cycle.

The information session for cohort 5 will take place online on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 from 17:00 to 18:00.

• Applications Open: November 11th, 2025
• Application Deadline: February 6th, 2026
  • Reference letter submitted by February 13th, 2026
• Decisions Communicated: March 27th, 2026
• Program Obligatory Events:
  • 2025 Welcome Event: May 2026
  • 2025 Training Dates: September 30th and October 14th 2026, other dates to be communicated later

If you plan to apply, please mark these dates in your calendar to ensure your full availability.