Call for Applications 2025

The French Embassy in Lebanon and the French Institute in Lebanon launched in 2017 the High-Level Scientific Stay program to support the mobility of Lebanese researchers to initiate or strengthen high-level scientific cooperation projects between France and Lebanon.

These research stays, lasting from 1 to 6 months, are open to Lebanese PhD students, post-doctoral students, young researchers, and experienced researchers. The deadline for submitting applications is January 10, 2025. 

All selected candidates will receive the status of “France Excellence” Scholar (formerly known as “Boursier du Gouvernement français”). 

Eligibility 

The SSHN grants are awarded to PhD students, post-doctoral students, or researchers participating in high-level scientific and technical research and exchange programs. These grants aim to initiate a research project or strengthen an existing scientific collaboration with a French research team affiliated with a higher education or research institution, a research organization, or a company. 

Disciplines Covered: All scientific disciplines are concerned. Priority will be given to subjects of major interest for Lebanon and the partner institution, corresponding to priorities set within the framework of Franco-Lebanese cooperation, to research integrated into a Franco-Lebanese research project, or as a result of a project of the Hubert Curien CEDRE Program.

Duration of Stay 

• Young Researchers: Minimum duration of 1 month, up to a maximum of 3 months (extension up to 6 months possible upon justified request). Eligible candidates include PhD students, post-doctoral students, and researchers who obtained their PhD within the last 5 years at the time of arrival in France.
• Senior Researchers: Minimum duration of 15 days, up to a maximum of 1 month (extension up to 3 months possible upon justified request). Eligible candidates include post-doctoral students and instructor-researchers who have obtained their PhD since more than 5 years from the date of arrival in France.

End of Stay: No later than December 15, 2025 (no deferral to 2026 allowed). 

Benefits 

• Monthly Allowance:
  - €1,704 for young researchers.
  - €2,055 for senior researchers.
• Additional Benefits:
  - Free visa.
  - Social security coverage in France.
  - Coverage of a round-trip airfare between Lebanon and France.
  - Transportation from the arrival airport to the research location (outside Paris) for the first trip.
  - Assistance from Campus France Paris in finding accommodation (subject to availability).

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be of Lebanese nationality and reside in Lebanon (candidates holding French or Franco-Lebanese nationality are not eligible).
• Must be a PhD student, post-doctoral student, or researcher who obtained their PhD less than 5 years prior to their arrival in France and not receiving another scholarship or support program, or must be a post-doctoral student/instructor-researcher who obtained their PhD more than 5 years prior with a contract at their home institution in Lebanon.
• Must be enrolled or affiliated with a higher education or research institution in Lebanon. Candidates enrolled in a PhD program at a higher education or research institution in France are not eligible.
• Must have an invitation for a scientific stay from a host organization in France (higher education and research institution, research organization, or company).
• Must possess the necessary language skills for the research project.

Selection Criteria 

Scientific projects will be evaluated based on:

• The innovation and relevance of the topic for Lebanon and the partner institution.
• The integration into an existing Franco-Lebanese collaboration or the emergenceof a new one.
• Alignment with projects under the Hubert Curien CEDRE Program.

Application Requirements 

The application file must include:

• A scanned ID.
• A scanned student card (for PhD students).
• Proof of employment (home institution) (for post-doctoral students and instructor-researchers).
• CV in French or English, indicating any publications and completed or ongoing scientific work.
• A motivation letter (in French or English).
• A copy of the highest degree obtained.
• A description of the research project, detailing the subject, a brief review of the current knowledge (3–5 pages recommended), the questions addressed, methodology, and division of work between the two laboratories.
• An invitation letter from the host organization in France.
• Approval from the Lebanese institution for the stay.
• Cooperation agreement between the Lebanese institution and the French host institution (optional).

Note: Incomplete application will not be considered. All documents must be submitted through the Wiinio platform.

Application Deadline: January 10, 2025.

Procedure 

1. Submit the application on Wiinio before January 10, 2025.

2. Application review and potential candidate interview by the French Embassy.

3. Notification of selected candidates via email.

4. Submission of the Campus France form to be completed and the CERFA form to be signed by the host laboratory.

5. Final submission of the scholarship files to the French Embassy in Lebanon at least 1 month before the stay begins.

For any questions, contact the French Embassy in Lebanon at priscilla.moussallem@diplomatie.gouv.fr or contact international@ua.edu.lb for additional information.