The University of Notre Dame and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) have announced the expansion of their dual Ph.D. program, which was previously only available to engineering students.

“The program now welcomes candidates from all academic disciplines, reflecting the universities’ shared vision for international collaboration and promoting academic innovation,” the private Catholic university in Notre Dame, IN, shared in an announcement made Tuesday, February 4. This will be the first university-wide dual Ph.D. agreement for both institutions.

“Graduate student exchanges are the foundation of strong research partnerships with institutions like UC Chile,” said Notre Dame’s associate provost and vice president for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate School, Michael Hildreth. “By enabling students to spend time in different academic environments, we deepen collaborations and contribute to groundbreaking research that strengthens both institutions while addressing global challenges. The breadth of this new agreement will allow faculty and students from all disciplines to share the process of discovery.”

Hildreth joined Notre Dame’s senior assistant provost for internationalization, Jonathan Noble, and president of UC Chile, Dr. Ignacio Sánchez, at UC Chile’s campus in Santiago, Chile, for the official signing ceremony.

“This agreement allows us to deepen collaboration in both training and research — not only in engineering, but also in humanities, social sciences, literature, theology and philosophy. We are very happy with this partnership and committed to making it thrive by engaging the best professors and Ph.D. students from both institutions,” noted Sánchez.

The dual Ph.D. program will allow students to spend at least one year at each of the institutions and, with the expanded program, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, ultimately earning two doctoral degrees.

“The partnership between Notre Dame and UC Chile aligns with Notre Dame’s strategic priorities of advancing global engagement and strengthening the Catholic mission by partnering with premiere global institutions,” said Juan Esteban Montes, director of Notre Dame Santiago. “This dual Ph.D. program builds a bridge for collaborative research that equips scholars to address critical global challenges with academic excellence and ethical leadership.”

Read the full announcement here.