The past, present & future of Doctoral Research 

A special symposium to mark the 20-year anniversary of the CRG's PhD Training programme

Over the past two decades, the CRG International PhD Programme has brought together hundreds of talented researchers from around the world, building a vibrant global alumni community and launching careers that have shaped science, innovation, and society.

On 25 November 2026, we warmly invite our alumni, current students, supervisors, and mentors to celebrate this remarkable journey; reflecting on twenty years of scientific excellence, personal growth, and lifelong connections, while exploring the future of doctoral training.

Join us to reconnect with the community that helped shape these journeys and inspire the next generation of scientists.

A day to celebrate our past and imagine our future

The programme will bring together generations of CRG researchers to reflect on twenty years of scientific achievements, international collaboration, mentorship, career development and personal growth.

Throughout the day we will:

• Celebrate the achievements and impact of CRG PhD alumni across the world.

• Reconnect with former colleagues, mentors, supervisors and friends.

• Discover how doctoral training has evolved over the last two decades.

• Hear inspiring alumni stories from a wide range of career paths.

• Reflect on the role of doctoral education in addressing the scientific and societal challenges of the future.

• Explore what the next twenty years of PhD training might look like through a round-table discussion with leaders from academia and beyond.

• Whether you graduated recently or were among the very first CRG PhD students, your story is part of the programme's history and its future.

More than a PhD

A PhD is much more than a research project. It is a period of discovery, challenge, resilience, friendships, international experiences, and personal transformation.

At the CRG, we are proud not only of the science our students have produced, but also of the global community they have built. Today, our alumni can be found across continents and sectors, applying the skills developed during their doctoral training to tackle complex problems, lead teams, innovate, communicate science, and make a positive impact on society.

This anniversary celebrates every one of those journeys.

Join us

Whether you are returning to the CRG after many years or are still closely connected to our community, we would be delighted to welcome you back to Barcelona.

Come reconnect with old friends, meet new generations of researchers, celebrate shared memories, and help us envision the future of doctoral training.

Registration is now open.

We look forward to celebrating twenty years of discovery, community, and lifelong connections with you.

Contact 

CRG Training & Academic Office (TAO) 
training@crg.eu