Traditional structures and processes as well as norms and beliefs in the field of research training across Europe are challenged by four recent trends. They encompass the implications of the expansion and diversification of the student body in higher education, the changing functioning and role of research in the knowledge economy, the internationalization of the Ph.D. factory and the growing role of governmental supervision for doctoral training. Altogether, these trends foster internal diversity within higher education and research as well as external diversity in the contribution made to the economy and the growing variety of careers for those who have gone through doctoral training. The paper reviews these processes and respective responses in public intervention as well as in higher education to reorganize doctoral training. It is argued that a diversity of organizational and structural forms as well as different validation criteria and procedures will probably determine the future face of doctoral education across Europe.