Before the end of the first year, the student must draft a Research Plan to include the proposed methodology and objectives to be achieved, as well as the means and time required to achieve them. Doctoral students may improve and add more detail to the plan throughout the programme. It must be endorsed by both the tutor and the supervisor. The Research Plan will act as the student's first annual report and, as such, must sufficiently define the field of study (objective, current state of research, methodology and sources), as well as the provisional title of the doctoral thesis. It must include the following sections:

An introduction defending the pertinence of the research and the scientific relevance of the question.

A review of the current state of research presenting the antecedents of the subject, especially its historiographic treatment, and the different ways in which it has been approached, including the relevant annotated bibliography.

A theoretical and methodological reflection on the development of the research.

A list of sources to be used, indicating the input expected from them and their location.

The expected results or the working hypotheses behind the research.

The Academic Committee will carry out an annual evaluation of the Research Plan and Activities Document, alongside the reports issued by the tutor and supervisor. Students will require a positive evaluation to continue in the programme. In the event of a negative evaluation, which will be duly justified, the doctoral student will be re-evaluated in six months and will have to draw up a new Research Plan (if this was the reason for the negative evaluation) or justify the activities undertaken in those months. Should the student receive a second negative evaluation, they will be permanently removed from the programme.