Paris Institute of Political Studies - Paris Institute of Political Studies Exchange Programme With American Universities

What you get

You will be awarded a funded research placement of approximately 10 months at a leading North American university, worth around 11,040 EUR per year (approximately 12,000 US dollars), at the Universities of Chicago, Columbia, Harvard and Princeton. You will carry out research on site, attend postgraduate courses and take part in seminars in your field of specialisation. The visit is intended solely for research purposes; you will therefore not be awarded a second academic degree. It is organised by the Doctoral School and the Centre for American Studies at Sciences Po in Paris. There is, however, one difference: The Yale-Fox Fellowship pays a monthly stipend of 2,000 US dollars, covers health insurance and return flights, and also provides a research budget of 2,000 US dollars. A stay at Yale outside the Fox Fellowship programme does not include any financial support.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are a PhD student at Sciences Po in Paris.
• Field of study: Your field of research lies within the social sciences, for example in political science, economics, sociology or regional and cultural studies.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply; the key requirement is that you are enrolled as a PhD student at Sciences Po.
• Where you go: A social sciences research centre at one of the partner universities: Chicago, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton or Yale.
• English: You can demonstrate your English language proficiency by providing a TOEFL or IELTS result, or an equivalent certificate.
• Backing from Sciences Po: Sciences Po must put your name forward. You cannot apply to the partner university directly.

How to apply

The selection process consists of two stages. First, Sciences Po draws up a shortlist of applicants; the partner university then makes the final decision. Your application must include at least a CV in English and proof of your English language proficiency. The deadline for applications is 6 January.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a programme with a limited number of places. You must already be a PhD student at Sciences Po, and Sciences Po itself decides whom to nominate before the partner university can review your application. This keeps the pool of applicants small, but the partner universities are among the most selective in the world. A compelling research proposal and a clear alignment with a host research centre are crucial. If Sciences Po supports your application and your research interests align with those of a specific partner, your prospects are good.