GRIDAUH Doctoral Dissertation Award

What you get

You will receive a cash prize for an outstanding doctoral thesis (PhD thesis): 3,000 EUR for first place, 2,000 euros for second place and 1,000 euros for third place. An award-winning dissertation may also be published in the LGDJ book series on urban planning and environmental law, thereby ensuring that your work receives wide academic recognition. The prize is awarded by GRIDAUH, a state-recognised French research institute in Paris specialising in planning, urban development and housing law. It is awarded every two years.

Who can apply

• Your work: You have written a doctoral thesis (PhD thesis) in French.
• Field of study: Your dissertation focuses on law (administrative law, constitutional law or European law), public administration or political science.
• Topic: Your work covers one of GRIDAUH's areas: urban planning, public property and public works, expropriation, sustainable development, housing, urban policy or regional planning.
• Timing: You defended your doctoral thesis between 1 January 2024 and 30 September 2026.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• University: Every university that has awarded you a doctorate counts.

How to apply

Please submit your dissertation to GRIDAUH by 10 October 2026 for the current round. A panel comprising academics and industry experts, chaired by the Director of GRIDAUH, will assess the submissions and select the winners.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a single prize awarded every two years in a narrowly defined field: French-language doctoral theses in the fields of spatial planning and public law, with only three winners selected per cycle. The pool of applicants is small, but the bar is set high, as the competition is based on the quality of the completed doctoral thesis. If your thesis clearly fits within GRIDAUH’s subject areas and is of a high standard, you have a genuine chance of winning.