Organizer Information
The French Institutes for Advanced Study Fellowship Programme (FIAS Fellowship Programme) is a prestigious international academic residency initiative dedicated to supporting advanced research and intellectual exchange across disciplines. The program brings together seven renowned Institutes for Advanced Study located throughout France, creating an international network that welcomes experienced researchers, scholars, and artist-researchers from around the world.
The participating institutes include IMéRA in Aix-Marseille, CY Advanced Studies in Cergy, Le Studium Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies, Collegium de Lyon, Nantes Institute for Advanced Study, MAK’IT Montpellier, and the Paris Institute for Advanced Study. Collectively, these institutions provide long-term research residencies that encourage interdisciplinary dialogue, collaboration, and innovative thinking.
The FIAS Fellowship Programme is designed to offer fellows uninterrupted research time free from teaching and administrative obligations. Through this structure, researchers can focus intensively on ambitious projects while engaging with international scholarly communities and local academic ecosystems. The fellowship particularly values interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, especially projects connecting the social sciences and Humanities with other research domains.
The program has become one of Europe’s leading fellowship opportunities for scholars and artist-researchers seeking intellectual freedom, institutional support, and international collaboration opportunities in France.
Title & Description
FIAS Fellowship Programme 2026–2027 for International Researchers and Artist-Researchers in France
The French Institutes for Advanced Study Fellowship Programme is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 fellowship cycle. This highly competitive international opportunity invites experienced researchers and artist-researchers from around the world to undertake a fully supported 10-month research residency at one of seven prestigious Institutes for Advanced Study in France.
The fellowship is open to all disciplines within the Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as interdisciplinary fields connected to SSH research. Applications from artists whose practice aligns with research-based methodologies and theoretical inquiry are also encouraged.
FIAS fellowships provide scholars with dedicated time and institutional support to pursue independent research projects in an intellectually stimulating environment. Fellows are released from teaching responsibilities and administrative commitments, allowing them to fully concentrate on their projects while engaging with an international and multidisciplinary cohort of residents.
The program emphasises intellectual exchange, collaboration, and academic freedom. Fellows will participate in seminars, discussions, conferences, and scholarly activities while benefiting from the expertise and networks of the host institutes. The residency aims to foster innovative research outcomes, international partnerships, and long-term collaborations between academic and non-academic sectors.
Applicants may choose to conduct their fellowship at one of the following host institutes:
- IMéRA – Aix-Marseille
- CY AS – Cergy
- Le Studium – Loire Valley
- Collegium de Lyon
- Institute for Advanced Study – Nantes
- MAK’IT – Montpellier
- Institute for Advanced Study – Paris
The fellowship period lasts for one academic year (10 months).
Categories
- Research
- Literature
- Writing
- Art Writing
- Culture
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Visual Arts
- Media Arts
- Performance
- Architecture
- Design
- Sound/Music
- Video/Film
- Curatorial
- Creative Writing
- Art Critic
- New Media
- Digital Arts
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Artistic Research
- Cultural Studies
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Political Studies
- History
- Artistic Practice-Based Research
Eligibility
- Experienced researchers
- Scholars
- Artist-researchers
- Academics
- Interdisciplinary practitioners
- Researchers working in the social sciences and Humanities
- Researchers working in fields connected to SSH disciplines
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD degree by the application deadline
- Have at least 2 years of full-time research experience after obtaining their doctorate
- Meet the MSCA transnational mobility rule
- Not have resided or worked in France for more than 12 months during the 3 years prior to the application deadline
- Submit all application materials in English
Applications from artists and researchers of all nationalities are welcome.
The FIAS Fellowship Programme strongly supports diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political opinion, or socioeconomic background.
Program Benefits & Awards
- A 10-month fellowship residency in France
- Monthly net living allowance of at least €2,200
- Flexible contract options (employment contract or paid leave arrangement)
- Health insurance and social security support
- Accommodation assistance and relocation support
- One round-trip travel expense from the fellow’s home country
- An individual research and training budget of €2,500
- Access to office space, IT services, libraries, and conference facilities
- Participation in international scholarly communities
- Professional networking and collaboration opportunities
- Skills training opportunities
- Administrative support throughout the residency
The program offers fellows the opportunity to significantly advance their research careers while working in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Publication list
- Contact details of three academic referees
- Copy of PhD diploma
- Detailed research proposal (maximum 5 pages plus bibliography)
- Three to five publications, articles, or book chapters
- Optional recommendation letters (up to two)
Research proposals should clearly explain:
- Scientific goals and methodology
- Relation to current research developments
- Expected outcomes
- Relevance of the fellowship duration
- Impact on the applicant’s career development
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 June 2026
- Fellowship Duration: 10 months
- Residency Period: 2026–2027 academic year
Location
France
Additional Details
The selection process is highly competitive and based on international peer review. Applications are evaluated according to:
- Scientific excellence of the applicant
- Quality and originality of the research proposal
- Compatibility with host institute priorities
- Potential contribution to the institute community
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
- Long-term impact on the applicant’s career
Applications must comply with all formatting and language requirements. Applications submitted in languages other than English will not be accepted.
FIAS strongly encourages projects that bridge academic research and broader societal or cultural concerns. Artist-researchers whose practice intersects with scholarly inquiry are especially encouraged to apply.
The fellowship offers a rare opportunity for sustained intellectual work within one of Europe’s most respected advanced study networks.