The Doctoral Programme "Plants and their Environment" was created to form the academic backbone of the NCCR "Plant Survival". The Doctoral Programme is also officially offered as part of the academic collaboration between the Universities of Neuchâtel, Lausanne, and Geneva (Azur), Berne, and Fribourg (BeNeFri). 

From 1 April 2009 the Doctoral Programme has been integrated into the Institute of Biology of the University of Neuchâtel.