National League Against Cancer (France) - Doctoral Contracts of the National League Against Cancer

What you get

You will receive a full three-year salary to undertake a PhD in cancer research at a French university. The remuneration is provided under a fixed-term employment contract, so you are a genuine employee and do not receive a grant (a fixed sum without an employment contract). The remuneration is based on the official French rate for full-time research PhD contracts, as set by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. In addition, you will receive a one-off lump sum of 3,000 EUR. This is awarded in the first year but can be used throughout the three-year period for conferences or further training. The programme is funded by the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France’s largest independent non-profit organisation supporting cancer research.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have obtained your Master’s degree (M2) in 2025 or 2026 at a French higher education institution, or an equivalent qualification in a country within the European Higher Education Area. Junior doctors who do not meet this requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Study phase: You enrol at 2026 as a first-year PhD student at a doctoral school recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
• Where you study: Your dissertation must be written in a laboratory in France.
• Field: Your project must relate to cancer. This includes basic research, translational research, clinical research and epidemiological research, as well as applied social sciences in the field of cancer and cancer prevention.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities. If you are from a country outside the EU/EEA, you must obtain a work permit or a visa for a long-term academic stay before signing the contract.
• One per team: Only one candidate per host research team may apply for this call for applications.
• No double funding: This grant cannot be combined with other funding, and you must devote yourself full-time to working on your PhD thesis.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the Ligue’s research platform between 2 May and 11 June 2026 (23:59). Your Master’s grades and the ranking of your doctoral school are key factors in the decision-making process, but these documents may be submitted at a later date, by 13 July 2026. Four national expert panels will assess the applications, and the results will be announced on 22 October 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

As this is a nationally recognised programme in a highly competitive field, the pool of applicants is very strong. Your grades, the ranking of your doctoral programme and the initial results of your project will determine the outcome of the selection process; therefore, a clear, well-substantiated project proposal is more important than an extensive CV. As only one candidate per visiting team may apply, as a candidate selected by the team you are already part of a smaller pool of applicants.