National Library of France - National Library of France Award Research Grant

What the BnF research grant gives you

You will receive a research grant of up to 15,000 EUR to carry out research into the collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), the French National Library in Paris. The fellowship runs for one year (from 1 October to the following September). You may renew it twice, up to a total of three years. In addition to the financial support, you will work as an associate researcher: you will have access to the BnF’s departments and collections, as well as a BnF supervisor to support your project. For the period from 2026 to 2027, the library is awarding ten themed fellowships. Each fellowship is linked to a specific field, such as comics, antiquity, maps, photography, music, art history, digital humanities, women in theatre or the role of books in domestic life. Some fellowships are funded by private sponsors, others by the BnF itself.

Who can apply

• Level: You are enrolled on a research Master’s programme (Master’s 2) or a PhD programme, or have completed such a programme within the last three years. Established researchers and lecturers are also eligible to participate. Independent research projects are also included, including artistic works, provided these have led to publications or presentations.
• Field of study: All subject areas are welcome, provided your project relates to the BnF’s collections. The library publishes a list of suggested topics, but you are also welcome to propose your own.
• Nationality: You can apply from anywhere in the world.
• Age: There is no age limit. However, if two candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to those at the early stage of their career.
• On-site work: You can visit the BnF in Paris on a regular basis, as the research is carried out on site.
• Not BnF staff: You are neither a permanent employee nor a contract staff member at the BnF, and you do not have a doctoral contract for the year in question.

Some grants are subject to specific conditions. A completed PhD is required for grants in the field of classical studies, whilst grants for comics are available to applicants with a Master’s degree or higher 1. In the event of a tie between two applicants, preference will be given to the applicant who is not receiving any other funding.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the BnF application portal (SciencesConf). For the 2026–2027 round, the application deadline is 4 May 2026 at 12:00 (Paris time). A panel comprising BnF staff and external experts will select the candidates in June, and the results will be announced in July. It is advisable to contact the relevant department at the BnF before applying.

How realistic are your chances?

Each fellowship is tailored to a narrowly defined topic, meaning you will only be competing with applicants working in that specific field, rather than with the entire research community. The BnF admits around thirty associate researchers each year, only a few of whom receive a paid fellowship. The most important thing is to have a clearly defined project that is closely linked to a specific collection. If your topic fits well with one of the ten subject areas and you are at the start of your career, your prospects are good.