On May 13, 2026, Europe will mark the inaugural European Doctoral Day, an initiative launched in 2026 and set to become an annual event. This day aims to highlight the pivotal role of PhD holders and of doctoral education in driving scientific excellence, innovation, and societal progress—both within academia and beyond.

This day complements initiatives like Choose Europe for Science to increase Europe’s attractiveness to early career researchers and is designed to:

• Inspire European and international students to pursue doctoral education,

• Increase employers’ awareness and recognition of doctoral qualifications,

• Showcase the diverse career paths and societal contributions of doctoral graduates.

Over 170 events are taking place across Europe for this first edition.