Government of France-Ministry of Health and Social Affairs - Social Security History Committee Award

Benefit

For an outstanding doctoral or master’s thesis on the history of social security, you will receive a share of a 7,000 EUR prize pool. The jury will divide the total amount amongst the prize-winners, so your share will depend on how many people are selected. In 2026, the jury may award up to four prizes and, in addition, a special non-monetary award. The prize is awarded once a year by the Comité d’histoire de la Sécurité sociale, a French body affiliated to the Ministry of Social Affairs. The Comité promotes research into the history of social security and supports the prize-winners in publishing their work.

Eligibility

• Type of work: You are submitting a completed doctoral thesis or a master’s thesis.
• Topic: Your work covers the history of social protection in a broad sense, including unemployment, social assistance and its international side.
• Recently finished: You completed your final-year dissertation or PhD thesis less than three years ago.
• Not yet published: In the case of a doctoral thesis, your work must not have been published or be in press, as the prize is intended to help with its publication.
• Language: You have written your work in French or English.
• Nationality and university: Any nationality can apply, from a university anywhere in the world.

How to apply

Please submit a digital application by email to the committee secretariat by 15 June 2026. Please include a covering letter explaining how your work relates to the committee’s field of expertise, as well as your final thesis or doctoral thesis as a PDF file, an abstract and your CV. If you are submitting a doctoral thesis, please also include the examination report. Following an initial review, the jury may ask you to provide one or two printed copies.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a narrow, specialised award. Your work must be a recent, unpublished thesis or dissertation specifically on the history of social protection, so few people qualify. If your research clearly fits that field and meets the three-year and publication conditions, your prospects are solid, especially as up to four prizes can be shared. The academic focus matters more than any geographic limit, since anyone worldwide may enter.