ERASMUS+ Staff Week

Enhancing Doctoral Education in the ATHENA Alliance: Building Networks, Standards, and Skills

Where: University of Siegen, Germany
When: 5 February 2026 (online) and 16–20 March 2026 (onsite)
Target group: Heads of Doctoral Schools, Post Docs and supervisors from the ATHENA network

Application deadline: 5 December 2025   

 

The ATHENA team, House of Young Talents and the International Office of the University of Siegen look forward to welcome you in Siegen!

We will focus on enhancing doctoral education in the ATHENA Alliance. By sharing best practices and comparing different approaches to doctoral education, we im to strengthen cooperation and develop shared standards. Together we will empower the next  generation of young scientist within our strong European network.
This Blended Intensive Program is tuition-free, and you can apply for Erasmus+ funding through your home university! 

Register now here until December 5, 2025! 

Objectives

1. Foster exchange on PhD supervision practices across countries and institutions – exploring similarities, differences, challenges, and best practices.
2. Establish joint ATHENA Course Catalogue for transversal skills for PhD students
3. Explore modalities for joint supervision (cotutelle), Open Science integration, and AI’s role in doctoral research.
4. Align PhD support to ATHENA clusters

Dates (Virtual and Physical Component)

As part of Erasmus+, the University of Siegen's Erasmus+ Staff Week 2026 is designed as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). This format combines a virtual component with a physical mobility phase to provide a comprehensive and collaborative learning experience.

virtual component: 05.02.2026
physical component: 16.03. - 20.03.2026 at the University of Siegen, Germany 

Preparatory online meeting (05.02.26; 10:00 - 12:30)

• Define 6 transversal skills modules
• Assign module leaders
• Develop template for module description / agree on criteria
• Set expectations for the in-person staff week 

For further information you can go to our ATHENA website or contact athena@uni-siegen.de .