AUFRANDE – the Australia France Network of Doctoral Excellence – was officially announced on Tuesday 9th of August at the Australian Embassy in France.

This €15.7 million (AU$22.8 million) doctoral training network – lead by RMIT University European hub in Barcelona – will involve 37 universities across France and Australia.

Co-funded by the European Commission, along with RMIT and partners, the five-year project will employ 64 early career doctoral researchers, with a focus on generating industry-relevant research.

The researchers will be mentored by experienced supervisors from academia and industry and receive training and support including annual workshops and group events.

Researchers will be employed at French academic institutions and spend up to one year on secondment at an Australian university. They’ll receive both French and Australian doctoral degrees upon successful completion of their research.

Other Australian partners include UNSW Sydney, The University of Tasmania, Macquarie University and The University of Sydney.

The first group of PhD candidates will be recruited from a worldwide hiring campaign expected to begin in early 2023.

For more information, contact aufrande@rmit.edu.au.