PhD Scholarships at AGILE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network

Overview

🏛️ Institution acronym	AGILE
🏷️ Institution name (original)	PhD Scholarships at AGILE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network
🌍 Country	Austria
🎓 Fields of study	Agricultural sciences, Bioinformatics, Data science, Environmental Sciences, Food sciences, Plant sciences, Production ecology, Sustainable development, Plant breeding
💶 Monthly stipend	4000 EUR/month
🔗 Official website	https://agile-dn.eu
📫 Contacts	For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to AGILE via email at [email protected] or call +48 22 390 35 50 coordinator office). Physical Address: AGILE MSCA-DN Coordination Office c/o University of Bonn Meckenheimer Allee 172 53115 Bonn Germany

Apply for Scholarship

The AGILE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) offers fully funded PhD positions for international students across Europe. This network focuses on training early-stage researchers in smart agriculture, digital transformation, and sustainable food systems. With 15+ beneficiaries from universities, research institutes, and industry partners in multiple European countries, AGILE provides a unique interdisciplinary and intersectoral training environment. Fellows benefit from secondments, workshops, and international mobility. The program is open to applicants of any nationality who meet the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment.

Join AGILE: A European Doctoral Network for Smart Agriculture

The AGILE MSCA Doctoral Network is a European training programme that recruits 15 PhD candidates to tackle challenges in agriculture through digital innovation. Hosted by leading universities and companies across Europe, AGILE offers international mobility, intersectoral secondments, and a comprehensive training curriculum.

Research Fields in AGILE

AGILE covers a broad spectrum of agricultural and digital sciences. PhD projects address real-world problems in crop monitoring, data analytics, robotics, and sustainability.

Agricultural Sciences

Research on precision farming, crop modeling, and sustainable intensification. Projects involve field trials, sensor networks, and decision support systems to optimize inputs and reduce environmental impact.

Bioinformatics

Development of computational tools for genomic and phenomic data analysis. Projects focus on integrating multi-omics data to accelerate breeding and improve crop resilience.

Data Science

Machine learning and AI for agricultural data streams. Work includes predictive modeling, image analysis from drones and satellites, and real-time data fusion for farm management.

Environmental Sciences

Assessment of agricultural practices on ecosystem services, biodiversity, and climate. Research includes life cycle assessment, carbon footprinting, and agroecological modeling.

Food Sciences

From farm to fork: quality monitoring, traceability, and supply chain optimization. Projects employ IoT, blockchain, and sensor technologies to enhance food safety and reduce waste.

Plant Sciences

Physiological and genetic studies to understand plant responses to stress. Research supports breeding for drought tolerance, disease resistance, and nutrient efficiency.

Production Ecology

Systems analysis of crop-livestock interactions, nutrient cycling, and resource use efficiency. Projects aim to design resilient and productive agricultural systems.

Sustainable Development

Socio-economic and policy aspects of digital agriculture. Research explores adoption barriers, ethical implications, and pathways to inclusive and sustainable food systems.

‹

›

AGILE addresses the full spectrum of smart agriculture, from molecular biology to farm economics. Each PhD project is embedded in a network of academic and industrial partners, ensuring real-world impact and career development.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

AGILE follows the MSCA rules for early-stage researchers. Candidates must be at the start of their research career (less than 4 years of full-time research experience and no PhD). The network values diversity and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

Mobility Rule

Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. This rule applies to all nationalities.

Academic Background

A Master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as agriculture, computer science, engineering, biology, or environmental science. Exceptional Bachelor's holders may be considered if they can demonstrate equivalent research experience.

Research Experience

Candidates must be early-stage researchers with less than 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience (measured from the date of the degree that entitles them to embark on a doctorate).

Nationality

Open to all nationalities. No restrictions based on citizenship. AGILE actively seeks applicants from around the world to foster a diverse and international research environment.

Language Skills

Proficiency in English (both written and spoken) is required, as the network's working language is English. Specific language requirements may vary by host institution; check individual vacancy descriptions.

Monthly Living Allowance

Each PhD candidate receives a competitive monthly salary according to MSCA rules. The gross amount is approximately €3,400–€4,000 per month (before taxes and social contributions), adjusted by country correction factor. The allowance includes living, mobility, and family allowances (if applicable).

Research and Training Budget

In addition to salary, each fellow benefits from a research, training, and networking budget (approx. €8,000 per year). This covers travel for secondments, conference attendance, equipment, consumables, and training courses. The network also organizes annual summer schools and workshops.

How to Apply for AGILE PhD Positions

The application process is fully online. Each vacancy has a dedicated page with specific requirements. Candidates can apply to up to three positions within the network using a single application form.

Find Your Project: msca-agile.eu/projects). Each project description includes the host institution, supervisor, objectives, and expected outcomes. Select up to three projects that match your background and interests.
Prepare Your Application: Gather the required documents: a detailed CV (max 3 pages), a motivation letter (max 2 pages) explaining your interest in the chosen projects, academic transcripts and certificates, and two reference letters. Combine all documents into a single PDF file.
Submit Online: msca-agile.eu/how-to-apply Upload your PDF and provide contact details for your referees. Ensure you meet the deadline (typically 4–6 weeks after the vacancy is posted).
Selection and Interview: Eligible applications are evaluated by the recruitment committee. Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview. The interview assesses scientific knowledge, motivation, and fit with the project and network. Reference checks are conducted.
Offer and Onboarding: Successful candidates receive a formal offer from the host institution. The contract starts within 3 months of the offer. AGILE provides support for relocation, visa, and administrative procedures to ensure a smooth start.

For queries, contact the AGILE coordination team at [email protected]. Specific questions about a project can be directed to the supervisor listed in the vacancy. Deadlines vary by project; check the website for current openings.

Application Deadlines

AGILE PhD vacancies are published on a rolling basis. Most positions have a deadline 4–6 weeks after publication. For the current call (2025), the deadline is typically in March/April and September/October. Check the official vacancies page at https://agile-dn.eu/vacancies/ for exact dates. Late applications are not accepted.

AGILE MSCA Doctoral Network

For more information, please visit the official website: PhD Scholarships at AGILE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network

Contact Information

For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to AGILE via email at [email protected] or call +48 22 390 35 50 coordinator office).

Physical Address:
AGILE MSCA-DN Coordination Office
c/o University of Bonn
Meckenheimer Allee 172
53115 Bonn
Germany

Additional Information for International Applicants

International Student Services

AGILE partner institutions offer dedicated support for international fellows, including visa assistance, housing help, language courses, and intercultural mentoring. Each host institution has an international office that guides you through administrative procedures.

Career Prospects

Graduates of AGILE are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, and policy. The network's strong industrial connections provide pathways to R&D positions in agri-tech companies, startups, and international organizations. The training includes transferable skills like project management, entrepreneurship, and science communication.

Resource Links

Official AGILE website: agile-dn.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/" target="_blank">Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

PhD scholarship programs and External Funding Opportunities for PhD Scholarships in Agriculture

MSCA Doctoral Networks

The AGILE network is funded by the European Commission's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under Horizon Europe. It provides full funding for 36 months, including salary, research costs, and training. No additional application is needed; funding is attached to the position. More info at MSCA website.

Partner Country Scholarships

Applicants from certain non-EU countries may be eligible for additional top-up scholarships from their home governments (e.g., Chinese Scholarship Council, Fulbright). Check with your national funding agency. AGILE can provide support letters for external funding applications.

Industrial PhD Grants

Some AGILE positions are co-funded by industry partners. These positions may include additional benefits such as extended secondments or extra travel budget. Details are provided in the individual vacancy descriptions.

Network Location