Welcoming the Fourth Cohort of the PhD Excellence Program
© 2025 EPFL/ Julie Mazard - PhD Excellence Program Cohort 4
The Doctoral School is proud to welcome 30 exceptional doctoral candidates to the fourth cohort of the PhD Excellence Program, officially launched during a special welcome event held on May 15, 2025, at the Casino de Morges.
This milestone event celebrated the start of an exciting new chapter for these talented researchers, who were selected for their academic excellence, drive, and leadership potential. More than 60 participants gathered to mark the occasion.
The evening opened with a convivial apéro, followed by welcoming remarks from Anne-Marie Kermarrec, Associate Vice-president for Doctoral and Lifelong Education, who emphasized the importance of supporting emerging research talent and fostering a vibrant doctoral community.
Philip Mair, Head of the Doctoral School (EDOC), then provided an overview of the PhD Excellence Program—its objectives, structure, and the unique opportunities it offers to support fellows in shaping their careers.
The highlight of the evening included testimonials from the previous cohort’s members. The event concluded with a standing dinner and networking session, allowing new fellows to connect with one another, meet with their peers from the previous cohorts, and engage with program affiliates in an informal setting.
This welcome event not only marked the formal beginning of the 2025 cohort’s journey, but also reinforced the sense of community, excellence, and shared purpose that defines the PhD Excellence Program.
We extend our warmest congratulations to the 2025 fellows of the fourth cohort—your journey begins now, and we look forward to the impact you will make.
With the fourth cohort, the EPFL PhD Excellence Program now counts 101 participants, from all EPFL campuses.
Want to know more? Meet Renan and Jonas, two PhD Excellence fellows from the first cohort, who graduated in 2024, and get first-hand insights into what it is like to be in the PhD Excellence program and how it can help you in your journey at EPFL and beyond!
Interested to become a part of this unique community and find your own path outside of academia? The call for applications for the 2026 cohort will open by the end of this year. For more information on how to apply, see the EPFL PhD Excellence webpage.
The EPFL PhD Excellence Program is part of the Student Support Program, a philanthropic initiative by EPFL. We would like to give special thanks to Fondation du Domaine de Villette and HOLDIGAZ SA for their generous donations.