Government of France-Ministry of Defence/CNRS - Co-sponsored doctoral grants

What you get

You will be offered a funded three-year PhD post in France with a monthly salary of approximately 1,760 EUR gross as a fixed minimum lump sum (in practice, approximately 1,870 EUR gross). The funding covers the entire duration of the PhD programme, which is 36 months, and includes funds for conference travel and further training. The funding is provided by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA, now via its innovation agency AID) in collaboration with the national research organisation CNRS. The programme supports doctoral theses that are of benefit to the defence sector, ranging from engineering and materials science to information technology and environmental sciences. However, your running costs in the laboratory are not covered.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification, such as an engineering diploma.
• Nationality: You are a national of an EU Member State or Switzerland.
• Where you do the PhD: Their research laboratory is located in France.
• Field: Your research topic falls within a field relevant to defence, such as information technology, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science or related disciplines.
• Employment status: You are not currently in permanent employment. This offer is aimed at people who are about to start a PhD programme, not at staff who are already employed.

How to apply

Applications are made via the ixarm online portal in two stages. First, your supervisor and your laboratory submit the research topic. If the topic is selected, you then submit your own application documents, consisting of your CV, a personal statement, academic transcripts and a letter of recommendation. The application deadline is 15 February each year. Applicants from the humanities and social sciences will also take part in a short interview in Paris.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a narrowly defined, targeted funding scheme. Your research topic must relate to a defence-related field, your laboratory must be based in France, and a supervisor must propose the project before you even apply. As a result, the pool of applicants is smaller than for open scholarships. The selection process takes into account the scientific quality of the project, the laboratory and your academic achievements to date. If you have a good Master’s degree, a supervisor is supporting a suitable topic and you clearly meet the requirements regarding nationality and field of study, your chances are good.