Scholarship Details

Host Country: France

Host Institute One of the seven institutes listed below

Eligible Countries All Countries

Number of Scholarships: 40

Duration: 10 months

Eligible Fields All Research Fields

Age Limit: No age limit

Opening Date: July 2024

Closing Date: TBA

French Institutes for Advanced Studies (FIAS) Program

The French Institutes for Advanced Studies (FIAS) program aims to provide funding for innovative research in the humanities and social sciences by creating a network of institutes. These institutes are spread across several French cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier and Nantes, and provide a vibrant academic environment that encourages international researchers to pursue innovative projects. Promoting intellectual exchange and expanding knowledge across a range of fields is the goal of the FIAS initiative.

French Institutes for Advanced Studies Fellowship Program Details

Postdoctoral researchers can apply for FIAS Fellowships from the French Institutes for Advanced Studies (FIAS) to work in France on a variety of research projects. The FIAS network consists of seven institutions, with offices in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Rennes, Loire Valley and Nantes. Researchers from all over the world can work in a multidisciplinary setting at these institutes.

The highly selective FIAS awards are aimed at outstanding researchers who have just completed their doctoral studies. The scholarships provide financial support for one academic year, during which time recipients are expected to work on their research projects and actively participate in the scientific endeavors of the institute.

Candidates must have obtained their doctorate within the previous five years to be considered for a FIAS scholarship. They must also demonstrate good research skills and submit an innovative research proposal that is appropriate to the institute to which they are applying for scientific purposes. Although some understanding of French may be helpful depending on the institute, fluency in English is usually essential.

Research proposals, academic records, letters of recommendation and the potential impact of the research project are carefully examined as part of the selection process for FIAS scholarships. It is important to check the specific requirements of the institute you are interested in as each institute within the FIAS network has its own application process and deadlines.

Host Institutes

A coalition of seven French Institutes of Advanced Studies has proposed a simplified and straightforward application process for their highly sought-after scientific residencies. All fields of study in the humanities and social sciences are eligible to apply to the seven Institutes of Advanced Studies.

EMERA Institute in Aix-Marseille

University, Loire Valley (Orléans-Tours)

College of Lyon, Lyon

Montpellier Institute of Advanced Knowledge on Transformations (MAK’IT), Montpellier

Nantes Institute of Advanced Studies, Nantes

Paris Institute of Advanced Studies, Paris

Centre of Unframed Thinking (CUT), Rennes

Benefits of the French Institutes of Advanced Studies Fellowship Program

The support and favourable scientific environment provided by the French Academy of Advanced Studies, characterised by a multidisciplinary group of Fellows and a close relationship with regional research capabilities, will be beneficial to Fellows. Fellows will be allowed to establish their work and conduct their research as they see fit.

A net living allowance of at least €2,700 per month, the same as that received by each Fellow in the form of an employment agreement, will be provided either through their home institution or the French Academy for Advanced Studies hosting the Fellowship. Depending on the contractual option chosen, arrangements will be made according to the Fellow’s unique situation and interests.

Eligibility

FIAS Fellowships are awarded to outstanding researchers at all stages of their career, from postdoctoral researchers to senior scientists. A PhD and two years of research experience are the minimum requirements at the time of application. An exception will be made for scholars holding a Master’s degree and six years of full-time research experience after obtaining their degree (doctoral training will not be taken into account for calculating experience).

The FIAS Fellowship Program accepts applications from researchers from all countries, although they must not have spent more than 12 months in France in the three years preceding the application deadline.

FIAS Fellowship Program Timeline

The timeline runs from April to June. Each academic year, fellowships begin in September or October, depending on the host institution. However, the length of your stay may be discussed in an unusual manner with the host institution.

Application Process

The FIAS website is the only place where an application for the FIAS Fellowship Programme can be submitted. Users must register for an account by clicking on the arrow that says “Create Account” in the upper right corner of the FIAS webpage. The FIAS Selection Committee pre-selects fellows once their applications are submitted via a central application platform.

The required application materials will be available in English only and will include:

A completed online application

A complete list of publications and a detailed CV

A copy of the degree

A comprehensive research proposal (maximum five pages, plus an additional one-page bibliography)

3-5 publications (articles or book chapters) selected for consideration

A letter of interest or support from the IAS’s local scientific partner is required only for Le Studium (Loire Valley IAS), Collegium de Lyon, MAK’IT (Montpellier IAS), and Paris IAS.

Optional: maximum two letters of support