Applications are open for the LIVES Doctoral Programme 2026–2029, an interdisciplinary training opportunity for early-stage PhD researchers whose work examines people’s lives from a life course or lifespan perspective.
Organised through the Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research (LIVES), the new cohort will run from December 2026 to February 2029, with doctoral training taking place primarily at the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne in Switzerland.
The programme combines advanced theoretical training, methodological workshops, research presentations, expert mentoring and networking with PhD researchers working on related topics across Europe.
Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026, with admissions expected to be confirmed by the end of October 2026.
LIVES Doctoral Programme 2026–2029: Key Details
Programme: LIVES Doctoral Programme
Organiser: Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research – LIVES
Training Locations: University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Programme Period: December 2026 – February 2029
Target Group: Early-stage PhD candidates
Geographic Eligibility: PhD researchers based in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe
Research Focus: Life course and lifespan research
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Admissions Notification: By the end of October 2026
New Cohort Begins: December 2026
The LIVES Centre states that more than 130 PhD graduates have participated in its doctoral training since the programme began in 2012.
What Is the LIVES Doctoral Programme?
The LIVES Doctoral Programme provides specialised interdisciplinary training for doctoral researchers examining how experiences, transitions and social conditions develop across people’s lives.
The programme is particularly interested in research using a life course or lifespan perspective.
Rather than providing the PhD position itself, LIVES complements a candidate’s existing doctoral education with additional theoretical and methodological training.
Participants continue to pursue their doctorates through their home universities while attending LIVES workshops and academic activities in Switzerland.
Important: This Is Not a Fully Funded PhD Scholarship
Prospective applicants should understand an important distinction.
The LIVES Doctoral Programme is not a standalone PhD scholarship or salaried doctoral vacancy.
Candidates are expected to:
- Already be doctoral students
- Be affiliated with an academic institution
- Have funding for their PhD research
- Participate in LIVES alongside their existing doctoral training
The programme provides specialised training, mentoring, networking and eligible travel/accommodation support rather than funding the candidate’s full doctorate.
Who Can Apply?
The programme targets early-stage doctoral researchers.
Applicants should be conducting research in the social sciences, psychology, health sciences or a related discipline and should use a life course or lifespan approach in their doctoral research.
The official 2026 call is open to doctoral students based in:
Switzerland
and
Elsewhere in Europe.
Candidates should already be affiliated with an academic institution when applying.
Eligible Academic Fields
The programme is interdisciplinary, making it relevant to PhD candidates from several academic areas.
These may include:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Demography
- Epidemiology
- Economics
- Political science
- Neuroscience
- Health sciences
- Gender studies
- History
- Related social and behavioural sciences
What matters most is not simply the academic department but whether the candidate’s PhD research meaningfully engages with life course or lifespan questions.
What Kind of Research Fits the Programme?
The LIVES Centre identifies several examples of relevant research.
Early-Life Experiences and Later Outcomes
Researchers may investigate how childhood or early-life experiences affect health, education, employment or other outcomes later in life.
Life Trajectories
Projects may examine trajectories across areas such as:
- Education
- Work
- Family
- Health
- Social participation
Turning Points and Transitions
Relevant studies may investigate significant changes or transitions in people’s lives.
These could involve educational transitions, labour-market entry, family changes, retirement or other major life events.
Accumulation and Depletion
Researchers may study how advantages, disadvantages, health, wealth or other resources accumulate or decline across the lifespan.
Longitudinal Methods
Projects using longitudinal data and methods are also particularly relevant.
Age and Social Norms
Researchers may investigate how expectations and norms associated with age change over time.
Life Course and Public Policy
The programme also welcomes research exploring how life course concepts can inform or explain public policy.
Programme Structure
The LIVES Doctoral Programme runs over approximately two years and includes intensive academic training and research feedback.
The official programme describes:
Four Theory and Concept Sessions
Participants attend intensive sessions covering theories and concepts in life course research.
These sessions normally last between two and several days.
Four Methodological Workshops
Participants receive methodological training in longitudinal and life course analysis.
This helps researchers strengthen the analytical methods required for their doctoral projects.
Two LIVES Doctoriales
The programme includes two annual LIVES Doctoriales.
During these events, PhD candidates present their research and receive feedback from experienced scholars.
Individual Expert Feedback
Participants also have an opportunity for an individual feedback session involving an invited expert.
This allows researchers to discuss their doctoral work in greater depth and receive specialised academic guidance.
ECTS Credits and Certificates
Participants can receive certificates documenting their participation.
The programme also provides ECTS credits for completed doctoral modules.
The LIVES programme page states that participants completing the full programme can receive certification with ECTS credits after satisfying its attendance requirements.
Workshop-specific certificates may also be available.
This can be useful for candidates who need to demonstrate formal doctoral training as part of their home university requirements.
Attendance Requirements
Participation requires a meaningful time commitment.
The official call states that candidates should attend at least 13 days selected from the eight doctoral workshops.
Certain activities, including the LIVES Doctoriales, are compulsory.
Selected workshops and Doctoriales must be attended in person, meaning applicants should be prepared to travel to Switzerland for required sessions.
Financial Support for Participants
The programme provides some financial assistance for eligible participants.
The official LIVES programme information confirms that successful applicants from outside Switzerland may request support for transportation and lodging costs for up to five doctoral modules.
Swiss-based PhD candidates may also receive eligible travel reimbursement under programme rules.
This support should not be confused with a salary or full PhD scholarship.
Participants are expected to already have their doctoral funding in place.
International Research Network
One of the major benefits of joining LIVES is access to an interdisciplinary network of researchers working on similar questions.
Participants can build relationships with PhD candidates from different academic disciplines and institutions.
This is particularly useful in life course research because questions about ageing, health, work, education and social inequality frequently cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Expert Mentoring
The programme also gives early-stage researchers access to more senior academics.
Through the Doctoriales, workshops and individual feedback sessions, participants receive opportunities to discuss their research with scholars experienced in life course studies.
This can help doctoral candidates improve:
- Research questions
- Theoretical framing
- Methodology
- Data analysis
- Interpretation
- Academic presentation
The mentoring component can be particularly valuable for researchers still shaping important parts of their doctoral project.
English Language Requirement
Applicants should have sufficient English proficiency to participate effectively in doctoral workshops, research presentations and academic discussions.
The circulated programme information identifies approximately B2-level English proficiency as appropriate for participation.
Applicants should be comfortable reading academic material, discussing research, and presenting their own work in an international academic environment.
Application Documents
Applicants need to prepare several supporting documents.
The official LIVES application requires:
Cover Letter
Candidates should provide a letter explaining their motivation for joining the doctoral training programme.
Curriculum Vitae
Applicants need an up-to-date academic CV.
PhD Project Abstract
Candidates must provide the title of their doctoral project together with an abstract of no more than:
500 words
The abstract should clearly communicate the doctoral research question, approach, and connection with life course or lifespan research.
Supervisor Support Letter
Applicants need a:
One-page letter of support from their PhD supervisor or supervisors.
This confirms that the applicant’s doctoral supervisor supports participation in the programme.
Proof of Academic Affiliation
Applicants must provide an official document confirming affiliation with an academic institution.
How to Write a Strong Application
A competitive application should make the life course dimension of the PhD project immediately clear.
Candidates should avoid describing their entire dissertation without explaining why LIVES is relevant.
A strong motivation letter should communicate:
- The main research question of the PhD.
- How the project uses a life course or lifespan perspective.
- Which theoretical or methodological skills the applicant wants to develop.
- How LIVES training would improve the doctoral research.
- Why an interdisciplinary research network would be useful.
- How the candidate expects to contribute to the cohort.
The 500-word project abstract should be concise and accessible to researchers from disciplines outside the applicant’s own field.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by:
30 September 2026
The LIVES Centre expects to communicate admission decisions no later than the end of October 2026.
The new cohort then begins in:
December 2026.
Why Consider the LIVES Doctoral Programme?
The programme may be particularly valuable for PhD students whose universities do not offer extensive specialist training in longitudinal or life course research.
Participants receive a combination of:
- Advanced theoretical training
- Methodological instruction
- Research feedback
- Interdisciplinary networking
- Expert mentoring
- ECTS-recognised training
- Potential travel and accommodation assistance
The programme can complement disciplinary PhD training in fields ranging from sociology and psychology to neuroscience and health sciences.
Final Thoughts
The LIVES Doctoral Programme 2026–2029 provides early-stage PhD candidates with a specialised European training opportunity in life course and lifespan research.
The new cohort runs from December 2026 to February 2029, with activities delivered primarily through the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne.
Researchers benefit from theoretical and methodological workshops, annual LIVES Doctoriales, individual expert feedback, an international doctoral network and certificates with ECTS credits. Eligible participants may also receive assistance with travel and accommodation expenses.
Applicants should already be enrolled in and funded for their doctorate. The programme supplements an existing PhD rather than providing a new salaried doctoral position.
Applications close on 30 September 2026.
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