CNRS-Institute of Biological Sciences - Claude Paoletti Award

Claude Paoletti Award

Recipients receive prize money from a total prize fund of 10,000 EUR, which is divided each year between two laureates: one woman and one man. The prize recognises outstanding research achievements in the life sciences (biology). It is awarded by CNRS Biologie, the biology institute of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), in conjunction with the CNRS Foundation. It honours Claude Paoletti, a former head of the CNRS’s Life Sciences Department, who supported young researchers. It is a one-off prize for work already completed, not an ongoing grant.

Who can apply

• Career stage: You have a permanent position in research, i.e. a secure, open-ended post, and are not employed as a student or on a fixed-term contract.
• Where you work: You work in a research laboratory in France that is primarily affiliated with the CNRS Biology division.
• Field: Her field of research is in the life sciences (biology).
• Age: You were born after 1 January 1990. The deadline is extended by one year per child for mothers and by six months per child for fathers.
• Publications: You have published high-calibre academic papers from both your PhD and your postdoctoral research.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

Please email a PDF file to CNRS Biology with the subject line ‘PRIX PAOLETTI’. This should include your CV, a two-page summary of your work and current projects, and your list of publications. Two referees must submit their letters of recommendation directly. The application deadline is 31 August.

How realistic are your chances?

Only two prizes are awarded each year – one for each gender – so competition is fierce. However, the strict criteria significantly narrow down the pool of applicants: a permanent post, a laboratory at the CNRS in the field of biology, and outstanding publications from both the PhD and postdoctoral phases. If you clearly meet all these criteria and have an outstanding publication record, you stand a real chance – provided you can provide strong evidence of your qualifications.