• Acibadem Institute of Health Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Turkey
• Amsterdam Medical Centre, NL AMC Graduate School for Medical Sciences, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Bezmialem Vakıf University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
• Cardiff, UK The School of Medicine at Cardiff University, UK
• Gazi, Turkey Institute of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Turkey
• Gothenburg, Sweden Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
• Leuven, Belgium The Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
• Liverpool, UK Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, UK
• Manitoba, Canada Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
• Manheim, Germany Graduiertenkolleg DIAMICOM, Medical Faculty Mannheim at Heidelberg University, Germany
• Masaryk, Czech Republic Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
• Oslo, Norway The Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
• Sumy, Ukraine Department for PhD and Doctoral Study, Sumy State University, Ukraine
• Vanderbilt, USA Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

Graduate schools that believe that they comply with the recommendations of the ORPHEUS Best Practices can apply for an ORPHEUS Label. To do this they should submit a completed Self-evaluation form. If this is generally satisfactory, the Labelling Board will then appoint two evaluators who will make a 2-day site visit to meet with relevant stakeholders, e.g. head of graduate school, dean, head of graduate school administration, programme directors, supervisors, PhD candidates, etc. The evaluators will then make a report to the Board, either indicating changes that need to be made or else confirming that the recommendations of the Best Practices are complied with allowing the award of a Label.

This ORPHEUS service is provided free of charge to members, but institutions are asked to cover the costs of the site visit. Institutions with limited budgets may apply to ORPHEUS for waiving all or part of these costs.

ORPHEUS Labels are awarded to institutions that meet the Core Recommendations of the ORPHEUS Best Practices document.

To apply, institutions must submit an application, which will be evaluated by two assessors. Based on their recommendations, the Labelling Board will decide whether to award the ORPHEUS Label.

Purpose
The evaluation process helps institutions assess and improve their doctoral training programmes. It provides a flexible framework for self-reflection, leading to the potential award of an ORPHEUS Evaluation Certificate and Label.

The procedure is based on the 2016 ORPHEUS/AMSE “Best Practices for PhD Training,” developed through a consensus of over 140 biomedical and health science institutions across the world. This framework outlines key goals and standards for PhD programmes.

Three Evaluation Stages
Institutions can choose how many stages to complete. The process is managed by the ORPHEUS Labelling Board, made up of experienced graduate school leaders. While all stages are beneficial, institutions can tailor their involvement to suit their needs.

The Labelling Board is assisted by many Special Consultants who also have experience of running graduate schools.

Stage 2: Two members of the ORPHEUS Labelling Board (or appointed evaluators) will assess the questionnaire, providing feedback on compliance with ORPHEUS recommendations and offering suggestions for improvement.

Stage 3

To obtain a full picture of the institution’s PhD programme, ORPHEUS can organize a 2-day site-visit to facilitate the self-reflection process. The facilitators will be persons with practical experience as heads of graduate schools appointed by the Board. During the site-visit the facilitators meet with relevant stakeholders, e.g. head of graduate school, dean, head of graduate school administration, programme directors, supervisors, PhD candidates, etc.

The ORPHEUS facilitators will provide a list of recommendations regarding the extent to which the institution’s PhD programme complies with the ORPHEUS recommendations and suggestions for the institution to consider regarding measures to possibly improve the programme.

Institutions completing Stage 2 may be awarded an ORPHEUS Evaluation Certificate. Institutions that on the basis of stage 3 are found to comply with the Basic ORPHEUS recommendations may be awarded an ORPHEUS label.

The procedure may be iterative. For example, if an institution does not fully comply with the recommendations under stage 3, then it may make the requisite changes and re- apply for consideration under stage 2 or 3.

These ORPHEUS services are provided free of charge, but institutions are asked to cover the costs of the site-visit. Institutions with limited budgets may apply to ORPHEUS for waiving all or part of these costs. 

Institutions don’t just receive a label — they transform.
Here’s how doctoral programmes have evolved after engaging with the ORPHEUS Labelling process:

• Extended research time from 2 to 2.5 years for deeper inquiry
• Reduced generic coursework — more focus on research-driven learning
• Introduced structured supervisor training programmes
• Established fully independent thesis assessment committees
• Increased publication expectations for doctoral theses
• Ethics courses made mandatory for all PhD candidates
• Set clear limits on programme duration to encourage timely completion
• Master’s degree now a firm prerequisite for PhD entry
• Greater central oversight to ensure programme quality and consistency

Expert Advisors

Our process is supported by a network of senior academic consultants from across Europe, leaders in doctoral education and research integrity: Ana Borovecki (Zagreb), André Nieoullon (Paris), Annedorte Vad (Copenhagen), Hakan Orer (Istanbul), Helga Ogmundsdottir (Reykjavik), Joana Palho (Braga), Miroslav Cervinka (Prague), Nebojsa Lalic (Belgrade), Oksana Sulaieva (Kiev), Peter Holzer (Graz), Robert Harris (Stockholm), Rudolph Schubert (Augsburg), Seppo Meri (Helsinki)

Implementation of these changes to allow PhD training to meet the needs of modern society often requires changes in tradition, and traditions are hard to change. The ORPHEUS Self-evaluation, Evaluation Certificate and Labelling tools assist graduate schools to persuade stakeholders of the benefits of improving graduate training.

This is appreciated as indicated by the many testimonials received from recipients of Labels or Evaluation Certificates, for example:

• The process of evaluation, particularly the site-visit was considered extremely useful by all participants (students, supervisors, administration). The suggestions have been very useful and actions are already in place to follow the advice provided. Minho, 2019

• With this token of motivation, we will work with ORPHEUS for a constant improvement of graduate education in our institution. Mannheim, 2016

• We take note of the recommendations for further improvement of the program. Bergen, 2016

• I would like to thank ORPHEUS, for your valuable guidance to us in achieving our goals. Dokuz Eylül, Izmir, 2015