On 13 May 2026, the European Doctoral Day took place for the first time as a Europe-wide initiative, sending a clear signal about the importance of doctoral studies in Europe.
This new European day of action aims to raise public awareness of the contribution doctoral studies make to academic excellence, innovation and social progress, and to inspire people to pursue a doctoral degree. 
The very first European Doctoral Day was accompanied by a wide range of events across Europe: more than 170 events at universities and research institutions in numerous European countries highlighted the diversity of academic career paths and international research collaborations.

The European Doctoral Day 2026 at the University of Cologne

The University of Cologne also took part in the first European Doctoral Day with its own event, inviting participants to a discussion on international research experiences and academic mobility during the doctoral training phases under the title “How to Realise a Research Stay Abroad”.
The event focused on a testimonial from a researcher from Cologne who is currently working at a host university abroad as part of his doctoral project, as well as on one from a visiting researcher from the USA who is currently conducting research at the University of Cologne. Both spoke about their experiences at international universities and provided insights into different research cultures and international academic collaboration. They also discussed the organisational and cultural challenges of a stay abroad and highlighted the diverse opportunities that international research experience offers for academic and personal development.
The event highlighted how central international networking, mobility and intercultural exchange have become for modern academic career paths. At the same time, it offered participants the opportunity to discuss funding opportunities, international collaborations and personal experiences, enabling them to forge new contacts within the international research community.

The positive response and lively discussions clearly demonstrated the high level of interest in international research experience and European scientific collaborations. We would like to thank all participants and guests for their contributions and look forward to coming European Doctoral Days at the University of Cologne in the future.