An international platform for doctoral students involved in water issues
A space for collaboration on major water-related issues
The INITIATE(InternatioNal InTercultural Interdisciplinary wATer nEtwork) international key initiative has set up an international platform, "INITIATE for PhD", to strengthen exchanges between doctoral students confronted with issues related to the major challenges of water, by promoting the cross-fertilization of disciplines, cultural contexts and research approaches. It is extending its call for applications for the 2025 cohort until April 22.
Coordinated from the University of Montpellier, in collaboration with 13 partner institutions worldwide, including three international UNESCO centers in Montpellier (France), Delft (Netherlands) and Dundee (Scotland), this initiative offers doctoral students a space for collaboration on major water-related issues on a global scale.
Selected candidates will receive full support, including travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for face-to-face events. The program also includes webinars, interdisciplinary working groups and international mobility opportunities.
A transdisciplinary and multicultural program, an international academic network
The program brings together PhD students from 13 partner universities, offering a unique framework for networking, mutual enrichment and building future academic collaborations. The 18-month program includes one or two international face-to-face workshops, collaborative remote sessions and active involvement in an international, intercultural and interdisciplinary scientific community.
The program is open to doctoral students registered at one of the partner universities:
- (France) University of Montpellier
- (South Africa) Rhodes University
- (Australia) Australian National University
- (Canada) Laval University
- (Canada) University of Sherbrooke
- (Ivory Coast) Université Felix Houphouet Boigny
- (Spain) University of Barcelona
- (United States) The University of Arizona
- (Ireland) Dublin City University
- (Morocco) University Mohamed 6 Polytechnique
- (Netherlands) IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
- (United Kingdom) University of Dundee
- (Senegal) University Cheikh Anta Diop Of Dakar
Candidates must have a good command ofEnglish (French is an asset) and be actively involved in the network's activities. The new application deadline is April 22, 2025, and aletter of support from the thesis supervisor is required to validate the application.
This project is led by the University of Montpellier, in partnership with the universities of Barcelona, Australia, Arizona, Laval, Sherbrooke, IHE Delft, Rhodes, UCAD, UM6P, DCU, ANU, Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Dundee. This initiative is supported by the "UM2030" program of the France 2030 Plan (ANR-21-IDES-0005) and the I-SITE Excellence Program of the France 2030 investment plan (ANR-16-IDEX-0003).