2014 Mannheim, DIAMICOM Graduate Program (Graduiertenkolleg), Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Germany

2017 Manitoba, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

2017 Nashville, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

2018 Amsterdam, AMC Graduate School for Medical Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2018 Sumy, Department for PhD and Doctoral Study, Sumy State University, Ukraine

2019 Leuven, Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium

2019 Cardiff, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK

2019 Oslo, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway

2019 Liverpool, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, UK

2020 Ankara, Institute of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Türkiye

2020 Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Sweden

2021 Istanbul, Institute of Health Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Türkiye

2021 Masaryk, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Czech Republic

2024 Istanbul, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Türkiye

2025 Dar-es-Salaam, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Tanzania

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.

2014 Copenhagen, Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (renewed 2024)

2014 Stockholm, Karolinska Institute, Sweden (renewed 2024)

2014 Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia (renewed 2024)

2015 Graz, Medical University of Graz, Austria (renewed 2024)

2015 Izmir, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylül University, Türkiye (renewed 2024)

2016 Bergen, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Norway (renewed 2024)

2016 Reykjavik, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Iceland (renewed 2024)

2018 Ankara, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Türkiye (renewed 2024)

2019 İzmit, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kocaeli University, Türkiye

2019 Braga, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal

2020 Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Sweden

2022 Istanbul, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul University, Türkiye

2022 Aarhus, Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University, Denmark

2023 Campinas, Faculdade Sao Leopoldo Mandic, São Paulo (SP), Brazil

2024 Bursa, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Uludağ University, Türkiye

2024 Masaryk, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Czech Republic

2024 Izmir, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ege University, Türkiye

2024 Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia

2025 Kyiv, Bogomolets National Medical University, Ukraine

2025 Konya, Institute of Health Sciences, Selçuk University, Türkiye

2025 Split, School of Medicine, University of Split, Croatia

2025 Leuven, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium

2026 Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia

2026 Malatya, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Inönü University, Türkiye

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 and is periodically revised. 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.

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 special consultants 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 of special consultants to facilitate the self-reflection process. The special consultants will be persons with practical experience as heads of graduate schools appointed by the Board. During the site-visit they meet with relevant stakeholders, e.g. head of graduate school, dean, head of graduate school administration, programme directors, supervisors, PhD candidates, etc.

The ORPHEUS special consultants 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

Renewal of the Label
ORPHEUS labels are renewed every six years. Institutions that hold the Label receive a Label Renewal Form from ORPHEUS after six years. The evaluation is normally run by electronic communication,   and if successful, the institution’s Label is renewed.

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. 

Image from site visit in 2025

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 renewal of the label was a welcome opportunity to review and revise our current practice. The label is an easy way to show other institutions that we abide to the Best Practices. Copenhagen, 2024
• 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