Senate of France - Award for Doctoral Dissertations

What the Senate thesis prize gives you

You will receive 3,000 EUR as well as the publication of your doctoral thesis in the ‘Bibliothèque parlementaire et constitutionnelle’ series published by Dalloz. The French Senate awards the prize and presents it during a formal ceremony at the Senate Presidency. A second prize associated with this is awarded jointly with the Jacques Descours-Desacres Foundation. It recognises a doctoral thesis on the subject of public finance and involves publication in the same Dalloz series, but does not include a separate cash prize. The Senate Prize is awarded annually, whilst the Foundation Prize is awarded every two years.

Who can apply

• Your work: You have written a doctoral thesis (PhD-level dissertation) and successfully defended it.
• Language: Your dissertation is written in French.
• Topic (Senate prize): Your thesis is in law, history or political science and deals with bicameralism (a two-chamber parliament), the Senate as an institution, or local authorities.
• Topic (foundation prize): Alternatively, your dissertation may focus on public finance, taxation, local government finance or local government administration.
• Timing: To be eligible for the Senate Prize, you must have defended your doctoral thesis between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025. For the Foundation Prize, the period was from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025.
• Not yet published: Your thesis is not yet earmarked for another thesis prize or a publishing contract.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. There are also no age or educational qualifications restrictions.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by email. Please send your doctoral thesis, a signed letter of motivation, a CV, the examination board’s report, a two-page summary for non-specialists, and the Senate’s application form. The application deadline is Sunday, 18 January 2026 at 22:00. First, a selection committee will check that the entry requirements have been met and draw up a shortlist; the jury will then make the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a single national prize for an outstanding doctoral thesis, so competition is fierce. However, the scope is narrow: your thesis must be written in French and deal with specific topics relating to parliament, local government or public finances. If your work meets these exact criteria and is of a high standard, the number of genuinely eligible competitors is small. Please submit a clear, well-organised file by the deadline in January.