Fondation de France- Martine Aublet Foundation - Martine Aublet Foundation Research Fellowships

Martine Aublet Foundation doctoral research fellowship

A scholarship is a grant intended to fund your research. You will receive a one-off payment of 15,000 EUR to fund at least six months of fieldwork outside Europe whilst you are studying for your PhD. The grant will be paid in two instalments: the first in October, once you have provided proof of enrolment, and the second after you have commenced your fieldwork and submitted a brief progress report. Your fieldwork must take place in Africa, Asia, Oceania or the Americas between 1. October and 30 September of the following year. The Martine Aublet Foundation administers the scholarship in collaboration with the Research Department of the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris, which awards around 10 scholarships each year.

Who can apply

• Level: You are in the first or second year of your PhD.
• Where you study: You are enrolled at a French higher education institution or a French-speaking university abroad.
• Field of study: Anthropology, archaeology, ethnolinguistics, ethnomusicology, history, art history or sociology. Other subject areas may also be considered, provided your project is closely related to these.
• Type of research: Your project involves fieldwork, archival and documentation work, or archaeological excavations carried out outside Europe.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Language: You can write your project description in French or English.

How to apply

Please apply via the Foundation’s online form by 7 June 2026, 23:59 Paris time. You will need a letter of recommendation from your PhD supervisor and proof of enrolment for the period from 2026 to 2027. A selection panel will assess the applications, after which an academic advisory board will make the final decision. The results will be announced in September 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very narrowly defined. You must be in the first or second year of your PhD, be working in specific subject areas, and be planning to undertake genuine fieldwork outside Europe. This keeps the pool of applicants small. An academic panel assesses each application, so a clear, well-reasoned project proposal is key. If you meet the requirements regarding your field of study and stage of your studies exactly and can present a solid plan for your fieldwork with strong support from your supervisor, your chances are good.