European Commission Joint Research Centre Call for expressions of interest: Collaborative Doctoral Partnership programme

24 June 2026

The Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Programme (CDP) is a JRC initiative to establish strategic collaborations with partner institutions, including higher education institutions and research organisations. The programme facilitates dual PhD projects, where partner institutions collaborate with the JRC to jointly design, host and supervise doctoral research projects.

The CDP provides a unique opportunity for HEIs/universities to tap into the JRC’s robust research capacity and expertise while gaining a deeper understanding of research needs throughout the European policy cycle. The CDP promotes mutual enhancement of related skills and competences, combines existing knowledge and capacities and enhances networking in key scientific areas. This ultimately provides high-quality policy-oriented research opportunities for doctoral candidates and equips them to navigate the science-policy interface.

The 2026 CDP Call provides the opportunity to collaborate with the JRC on eight collaborative research themes. 

The application deadline is 25 September 2026, 23.59 (CET) and the application form is available at this page.