Building on the success of the DIRS project, the 6i-DIRS project was an strategic initiative designed to attract outstanding Doctoral Candidates (DCs) to Deusto International Research School. Its overarching goal was to foster a dynamic and inclusive research ecosystem that promotes interdisciplinary, international and intersectoral collaboration. From October 2019 to September 2025, the project offered 19 early stage researchers the opportunity to develop their own PhD projects, while hosted by high-level research teams. Recruited DCs received comprehensive training and support to enhance their career prospects, in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the European Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training.
The project responded to a critical challenge in the European research landscape: the need to develop a new generation of researchers capable of leading high-impact socially relevant research within the academic institutions—the traditional outlet for PhDs—and in public and private institutions—where knowledge and innovation are becoming key factors for success. In a context where early research careers are often precarious and underfunded, 6i-DIRS provided a structured and supportive environment for young researchers to establish themselves professionally. Thus, the project helped bridge the gap between academic preparation and long-term career development, enabling researchers to contribute meaningfully to knowledge creation, innovation and societal progress, while acquiring a combination of new skills, research-related and transferable ones, and an innovative mindset attentive to the needs of society that has enhanced their employability and strengthen the sustainability of their careers.
The project—built on the 6 “i” research model designed by DEUSTO—successfully fulfilled its recruitment and training objectives, while generating broader institutional and systemic impact. It contributed significantly to institutional learning and capacity building at the University, particularly through the integration of early-stage ethical review, the reinforcement of support structures for DCs and the promotion of international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration, while driving impactful research, fostering innovation and promoting inclusion.
The project has clearly demonstrated the value of a structured, ethically grounded, and internationally oriented approach to doctoral training. It has supported the professional development of a new generation of researchers equipped to address complex societal challenges, while simultaneously strengthening ethical governance practices within the institution.
The legacy of 6i-DIRS lies in its capacity to inspire systemic change in how research careers are supported and how doctoral education is delivered across Europe—setting a benchmark for excellence, responsibility, and innovation in researcher training.
