Curious what makes the AIB-CIBER Doctoral Academy (ACDA) a transformative experience for emerging international business scholars? Join ACDA alumni, recent graduates, and current students from across all three cohorts for an insider’s look at the opportunities, impact, and community that define this premier doctoral experience in international business scholarship.
The AIB-CIBER Doctoral Academy is designed for doctoral students pursuing their degree in international business, business, management, economics, social sciences, political economy, or finance.
Ideal candidates are committed to advancing their qualifications in international business and typically have:
A strong academic record and demonstrated motivation;
A foundational understanding of social science research methods and, where applicable, data analysis;
Progressed to the dissertation stage with a defined research topic and familiarity with relevant literature;
Engagement in international or non-profit activities (an advantage, though not required).
The AIB-CIBER Doctoral Academy is open for applications from doctoral students pursuing their doctoral degree in international business, business, management, economics, social sciences, political economy, finance, or a related discipline.
Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis by the Selection Committee, composed of highly experienced faculty from globally recognized universities. Members of the Selection Committee are appointed by the Governing Board of the AIB-CIBER Doctoral Academy for each assessment round.
Selection criteria include academic and non-academic achievements, research interests and skills, and the overall fit between the applicant’s career aspirations and the mission of the Doctoral Academy. Applicants should demonstrate strong motivation and a commitment to completing and contributing to the AIB-CIBER Doctoral Academy, as well as to the broader international business scholarly community.
Each application is evaluated against the following criteria:
Progress in the applicant’s doctoral degree program at their home institution. While candidates at all stages are welcome, mid-stage doctoral students are generally best suited for the Academy.
Evidence of past research and academic accomplishments.
Evidence of non-academic achievements (e.g., professional, leadership, or community involvement).
Motivation for further professional and academic development.
Willingness to commit to the full two-year duration of the Academy.
Potential to contribute to cohort engagement and to the broader scholarly community.
A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s doctoral supervisor.
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following materials:
Completed Application Form
Letter of Recommendation from a doctoral advisor, supervisor, or program director
Statement of Purpose explaining the applicant’s interest in the Academy and how earning the certificate supports their scholarly goals
Academic CV, including doctoral-level coursework and any international conferences attended
Short Video (3–5 minutes) in English introducing the applicant and their academic research interests
Note: This also serves as a demonstration of English language proficiency.
Applications for Cohort 4 are accepted from July 15 to August 15, 2026.
All applicants will be notified of the selection results by September 15, 2026.
The cost of the two-year program is $3,000.