French Institutes for Advanced Study Fellowship (FIAS) 2027–2028

If you are an international researcher looking to advance your academic career in a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment, the applications are now open for the French Institutes for Advanced Study Fellowship (FIAS) 2027–2028. This prestigious fellowship programme offers a unique opportunity to spend a fully funded research residency in France, engaging with leading scholars across disciplines while focusing on your own independent research project.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: France (Aix-Marseille, Cergy, Loire Valley, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Paris)

• Host Institutions: Network of French Institutes for Advanced Study (RFIEA)

• Level: Postdoctoral, early-career, and senior researchers

• Target Group: International researchers from all countries

• Fields of Research: Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH), and other fields interacting with SSH

• Value & Coverage: €2,200/month + accommodation + travel + research budget + more

• Award Duration: 10 months (academic year 2027–2028)

• Application Deadline: June 25, 2026 (6 PM French time)

• Start Date: Academic year 2027–2028

• Eligible To: Researchers with PhD + minimum 2 years of research experience

📘 Fellowship Overview

The FIAS Fellowship Programme offers 29 fellowships across seven prestigious Institutes for Advanced Study in France. Fellows are granted the freedom to pursue their own research projects independently while benefiting from a highly stimulating, multidisciplinary academic environment.

The programme is designed to:

• Promote high-level international research collaboration

• Encourage interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation

• Provide uninterrupted research time, free from teaching and administrative duties

• Foster intellectual exchange within diverse cohorts of scholars

Fellows are integrated into local research ecosystems, with strong links to universities, laboratories, and academic networks across France.

🧩 Structure, Environment & Activities

The fellowship is structured as a 10-month residential programme, during which fellows:

• Conduct independent, bottom-up research projects

• Participate in seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary discussions

• Engage with local and international academic communities

• Benefit from collaborative opportunities with research centres and institutions

The environment emphasizes cross-disciplinary exchange, often pushing research into transdisciplinary directions .

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

FIAS offers a highly competitive and comprehensive funding package, including:

• Monthly living allowance: Minimum €2,200 (net)

• Flexible contract options: Employment contract or paid leave arrangement

• Social security coverage: Health, pension, unemployment (depending on contract type)

• Accommodation support: Assistance in finding housing

• Research & training budget: €2,500 per year

• Travel expenses: One round-trip ticket from home country

• Office space & facilities: Full access to libraries, IT services, and research infrastructure

• Additional support: Administrative assistance, relocation support, and training opportunities

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a PhD degree at the time of application

• Have at least 2 years of full-time research experience after PhD

• Be from any nationality

• Must not have resided or worked in France for more than 12 months in the last 3 years

• Submit a complete application in English

• Research must align with SSH or interdisciplinary fields involving SSH

• Artists are eligible but must now hold a PhD

📝 Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted online through the official FIAS platform.

📁 Required Documents:

• Completed online application form

• Curriculum Vitae (including publications and referees)

• PhD certificate

• Research proposal (max. 5 pages + 1-page bibliography)

• 3–5 selected publications

• Optional: Up to 2 recommendation letters 

Important notes:

• Applications must be submitted in English only

• Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted

• Strict formatting and length requirements apply

✍🏻 Selection Process

The selection is highly competitive and based on international peer review.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Scientific excellence of the applicant (40%)

• Quality of the research proposal (60%) 

⏰ Timeline:

• June 2026: Application deadline

• July 2026: Eligibility check

• Aug–Nov 2026: Peer review

• Dec 2026: Preselection

• Jan–Feb 2027: Final selection

• March 2027: Results announced

⭐ Tips for Applicants

• Carefully align your research proposal with the scientific priorities of your chosen institute

• Emphasize the originality and impact of your research

• Demonstrate how your work benefits from an interdisciplinary environment

• Ensure all documents strictly follow formatting and language requirements

• Prepare a clear, well-structured proposal with defined objectives and methodology

🔗 Details & Apply

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