Government of France-Embassy of France in Turkey - Grants for jointly supervised doctoral dissertations

Grants for jointly supervised doctoral dissertations (co-tutelle)

During your research stays in France, you will receive 800 EUR per month, including social security. The scholarship is intended to support a ‘co-tutelle’ PhD programme: you will enrol at both a Turkish and a French university, be supervised by a supervisor in each country, and divide your research work between the two countries. Upon completion, you will be awarded a doctoral degree recognised by both universities. France will fund up to 5 months per year over a period of 3 years, amounting to a total of up to 15 months in France. Your Turkish university will cover the costs for the time you spend in Turkey. The funding comes from the French Embassy in Turkey (Department for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, SCAC).

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Turkish citizen.
• What you do: You are currently undertaking a joint PhD programme (co-tutelle) at a Turkish and a French university, or are about to start one.
• Field of study: Any field of research is suitable.
• University: Any partnership between a Turkish and a French university is possible. It is not tied to any specific institution.
• Age: You are under 35.
• Grades: You have an outstanding academic record.
• French: A knowledge of French at DELF B level (upper intermediate) is recommended but not essential.

How to apply

You should submit your application to the Service for Cooperation and Cultural Activities (SCAC) at the French Embassy in Turkey. As no deadline has been specified, you should check the current call for applications before submitting it.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined: you must be a Turkish national, fall under the 35 category, and be setting up a joint PhD programme between a Turkish and a French university. The pool of eligible candidates is small, and only 5 to 10 grants are awarded each year. If you already have both supervisors and a co-supervision agreement, as well as good grades, your chances are good. Persuading the two universities to agree to the joint arrangement is generally more difficult than securing the scholarship itself.