Who should attend? 

DocMIT 

The DocMIT is designed for students working on their doctoral theses in the fields of international, European or comparative tax law. There are no age limits or requirements concerning the stage of development of theses. 

Nevertheless, we expect all participants to have made some substantial progress in their research already and to have a good grasp of their subject, well-defined research questions, at least a first outline of their thesis and preferably some preliminary conclusions. Doctoral students should be at a stage where the external coaching and exchange of points are most valuable. A maximum of 12 doctoral students will be admitted. Applications will be selected on the basis of the quality and originality of their research as stated in the synopsis. 

PITF 

The aim of the PITF is to provide a worldwide forum for young tax scholars from all over the world to meet and discuss their ongoing research projects. In order to qualify, applicants must: 

• Have obtained their PhD 
• Be under the age of 50 
• Spend 30% or more of their work time on research-related activities (regardless of the place in which such activities are performed: universities, international organizations, institutes, research centres, etc.). 

Candidates are expected to be in the process of developing a comprehensive research project on international, European or comparative taxation, preferably different from the one that granted them their doctoral degree. University professors and lecturers are particularly encouraged to apply. A maximum of 12 researchers will be admitted. Applications will be selected on the basis of the quality and originality of the research. 

Individual coaching sessions (DocMIT and PITF) 

One of the key components of the meetings is the individual coaching sessions. Each participant will present an overview of his/ her research project and the specific details in terms of the findings made and/or obstacles faced. Participants are expected to highlight the most interesting and controversial issues in their research and to introduce some questions and/or propositions specifically conceived to provoke discussion amongst the participants. The time should be equally split between the researcher’s findings so far and the outstanding issues and questions. 

Participants will receive in advance a schedule specifying the date and time of each presentation. A PowerPoint template will be provided by IBFD for the selected candidates to create their presentations. The aforementioned template is designed to help the participants better structure their research, although deviations from it are permitted in order to highlight the relevant issues to be presented. 

Participants (or IBFD researchers) with an interest in a similar or related topic may be invited, in advance, to prepare a short input statement on one of the presentations. After each input, feedback by the coaches and mentors will be given. The discussions will aim to cover the individual topics presented as well as the common themes and connections between them. 

Please note that participation in all sessions is mandatory. 

Panel of experts 

The meetings will feature panels of renowned experts in international, European and comparative tax law. In the last few years, we have had the honour to host: 

• Hugh Ault – Em. Professor at Boston College Law School 
• Pasquale Pistone – Academic Chairman of IBFD; Jean Monnet ad personam Professor at the Institute for Austrian and International Tax Law, WU Vienna, Austria and Professor at the University of Salerno, Italy 
• Rainer Prokisch – Professor at Maastricht University, the Netherlands 
• María Teresa Soler Roch – Professor at the University of Alicante, Spain 
• Frans Vanistendael – Em. Professor at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium 
• Stef van Weeghel – Professor at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Chairman of the IBFD Board of Trustees 
• Joanna Wheeler – Senior Principal Research Associate of the Academic Department, IBFD 

The meetings will take place at the IBFD Head Office, from 5-6 February 2025.

Application procedure and requirements 

For application procedure and requirements, check the brochure below:

View the brochure