ELLIS PhD Program in Machine Learning and AI, 2027 Intake

About this scholarship

One central application for PhD positions with about 200 advisors in machine learning and AI across Europe, for students starting in 2027. Each student has two advisors and usually spends at least 6 months with the second one.

Funding type

Covers: at least 3 years of funding from the advisors' resources, as an employment contract or a stipend. The amount depends on the country, the institution and the advisor, and the ELLIS office cannot give it in advance. You can ask about it at the interview. ELLIS itself does not fund students, except for small travel grants from its mobility programme.

Tuition fees

Not specified

Living costs

Covered

Travel

Partially covered

Insurance

Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities

All nationalities

Residence condition

No residence condition

Open to all nationalities At least a bachelor's degree. Some institutions also need a master's, and the advisor's profile on the portal says so Final year students can apply Research interest in machine learning, AI or a related field You must meet the admission rules of the university where your main advisor works

Minimum grade

Not stated

Work experience asked for

Not stated

Return condition

Return condition not stated

How to apply

Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test not mentioned

ELLIS sets no language test. Language rules such as tests depend on your advisor's institution. Transcripts must come with an English translation.

University admission details

Required later?

Apply on the ELLIS portal by 31 October 2026 at 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth, UTC-12). This deadline is firm. Send the reference requests from the portal before 31 October. Referees have until 25 November 2026 at 23:59 AoE, and applications still missing references then are not considered. Review runs in November and December 2026, interviews in January and February 2027, and decisions from late February to March 2027. The start date depends on the advisor. Some advisors need you to apply to their university at the same time. Their portal profile says Parallel application necessary. Fewer than 5 percent of registered applicants are accepted. An offer is conditional until the degree-granting university admits you.

Required documents

Two-page motivational letter that also covers your past research and future research plans CV with education, work experience, publications, talks and awards Unofficial bachelor's and master's transcripts with an English translation Details of 2 or 3 referees, at least 2 of them at the level of group leader, lecturer or above Optional: a thesis, paper or project portfolio as one PDF under 20 MB

Application steps

Register on the ELLIS application portal to receive your login details. Read the advisor list on the portal and choose up to 10 preferred advisors. Upload your documents and send the reference requests before 31 October 2026. If an advisor asks for a parallel application, apply to that university as well.

Requirement checklist

Scholarship contacts

ELLIS PhD Coordination Office: [email protected]Copy

Universities and contacts