#PhDNews

European Doctoral Day

[PhD candidates from all disciplines]
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.

• Practical information

Call for applications: i-PhD innovation competition

[PhD candidates from all disciplines]
Young researchers: science is a superpower—activate it with the i-PhD competition, and join a community of entrepreneurial researchers.
i-PhD is a government innovation competition (run by Bpifrance) aimed at young researchers with a deeptech startup creation project based on their research, and allows winners to benefit from a one-year support program to develop their entrepreneurial project under the best conditions.

• Practical information
• Applications open until April 30, 2026

New research portal on ecological transition

[PhD candidates from all disciplines enrolled at Nantes Université or Centrale School]
Public research in Nantes, a key player in the ecological transition: this portal provides an overview of collaborative dynamics and research in the field of ecological transition across laboratories of Nantes Université, ENSA Nantes, and Centrale Nantes.
It lists: research projects, involved laboratories, technical and scientific equipment and platforms, calls for collaboration and PhD offers, as well as information and news.

• Practical information

Call for applications: Design Factory

[PhD candidates from all disciplines enrolled at Nantes Université]
Join the Design Factory at Nantes Université in September 2026. This interdisciplinary program offers you, in collaboration with a local partner: the opportunity to learn how to innovate, work in teams with diverse profiles, and develop skills complementary to your training.
A concrete challenge, a unique experience: for 5 months, every Tuesday, you will collaborate with students from different backgrounds (humanities, sciences, law, management, architecture, design, etc.). Together, you will take on a real challenge proposed by a socio-economic partner (company, local authority, association…) and design a prototype solution.

• Practical information and registration until July
• Direct contact for any questions: du.designfactory@univ-nantes.fr