GIRACT - Geneva, Switzerland

Purpose

To promote innovative flavor research amongst PhD students across European universities and research institutes. PhD students enrolled in universities and research institutes in EU27, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, UK and Ukraine are eligible to apply.

• Click here to download the Roadmap (PDF).
• Click here to download the Roadmap (MS Word).

The project targets two different groups of PhD students:

• Group 1:  students who are about to commence their PhD studies
• Group 2:  students who are about to complete their PhD and hence will soon be examining opportunities for employment

This is translated into the following sub-objectives:

• Publicise the attractions of flavor research so as to pull high calibre students into appropriate PhD courses and then into industry
• For Group 1:
• Award bursaries to 6 selected students who are planning to commence their PhD studies in flavor science during the 2025/2026 academic year
• Enable the 6 winning 1st year PhD students the opportunity of visiting the laboratory of certain sponsor companies during the second year of their PhD studies, by using a part of their winning bursary amount for their travel and stay. This will enable them to obtain a first-hand view of an industry R&D centre
• Download full details and application form for 1st year Bursary Awards here (PDF)
• Download full details and application form for 1st year Bursary Awards here (MS Word)
• For Group 2:
• Solicit and evaluate innovative flavor research projects amongst these students
• Provide the Annual Savory Flavor & Food Industry Conference, held in Geneva in the spring of each year, as a platform for the winning student to present his/her work to 'potential employers'
• Download full details and application form for the Best Thesis Award here (PDF)
• Download full details and application form for the Best Thesis Award here (MS Word)

FAQ

I have obtained a master degree from a non-European University. Am I eligible for the European flavor research programme? / I am a master degree graduate of non-European nationality. Am I eligible for the European flavor research programme?

You are eligible provided you are:

• enrolled as a PhD student in a European University or Institute (EU27, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, UK and Ukraine)
• a PhD student planning your research in areas relevant to flavor science, technology, processing, chemistry, etc. in a European University/Institute

My research thesis is not in English. Can I submit my thesis for adjudication?

If the research thesis is not written in English, you may write a 10 page summary of the research in English to append to your foreign language thesis for adjudication.

What are the eligibility criteria for application in the Group 1 (First Year Bursaries) category?

You must have completed a master's degree AND enrolled for PhD degree in any European University before October 31, 2025.

You should not be already sponsored by a commercial organization and/or not be bound to it.

You must have a project summary with clear methodologies.

Your research must be relevant to 'Flavor'.

Eligibility and application details can be found at: Click here to download application for Group 1.

What are the eligibility criteria for application in the Group 2 (Best PhD Thesis Award) category?

You must be a final year PhD student enrolled in any European University or Institute and your research topic must be related to 'Flavor'.

You should not be already sponsored by a commercial organization and/or not be bound to it. The winning candidate must be able to present all his/her research to programme sponsors, including patented work.

You must be able to submit your application by October 31, 2025 and the final thesis for judging by December 1, 2025.

Eligibility and application details can be found at: Click here to download application for Group 2.

How do I submit the application?

Applications must be submitted electronically along with required documents to phdapplications@giract.com by October 31, 2025.

All documents should be countersigned by the Professor concerned.

Evidence of enrolment in the academic year 2025/2026 at the university/ institute should accompany the documents.

Group 1 - Best PhD Thesis Award: The electronic copy of the thesis must be countersigned by the Professor, and sent by December 1, 2025.

When is the last date to submit the applications?

Last date to send in your application is October 31, 2025..

In addition, Group 2 (Best PhD Thesis Award) PhD students must submit their completed thesis by December 1, 2025 for adjudication.

If I apply this year and am not selected this time, will I be allowed to apply next year?

No, the programme addresses first and final year PhD students. Application thus depends on PhD enrolment and thesis submission dates.

What are the deadlines for Group 1, First Year Bursaries?

• October 31, 2025 - Application and submission of relevant documents
• December 23, 2025 - Announcement of results
• January-December 2026: period during which the 6 successful first year PhD students will be reimbursed research-related expenses against countersigned invoices. Any unspent bursary amount within this deadline will be handed over to the department of the respective university/institute
• June 30, 2026 - Bursary winners submit a short summary of mid-year research progress
• December 31, 2026 - Bursary winners submit a short summary of the full year research progress
• During 2026, details of laboratory visits to certain sponsor companies will be communicated to the winning students who wish to take advantage of this opportunity

What are the deadlines for Group 2, Best PhD Thesis Award?

• October 31, 2025 - Application by candidates
• December 1, 2025 - Submission of relevant documents for evaluation
• January 27, 2026 - Winner to be announced by Steering Committee
• Scheduled March 19/20, 2026 - Presentation of thesis by winning candidate to representatives from sponsoring companies in Geneva, followed by participation at Giract's Annual Savory Flavor & Food Industry Conference