Funding

The doctoral agreement is an employment contract specifically designed for doctoral students. There are no conditions related to age or nationality. The duration of the contract is 3 years, with the option to renew for another year. The salary is set by an order from the ministry

It specifies the purpose and duration of the role entrusted to the doctoral candidate, the nature of the activities involved, and gives entitlement to time off and seniority for government contract staff. The doctoral candidate accepts to take part in the work activities in which the institution and the lab are involved

Complementary responsibilities may include teaching hours (64 hours per year), consultancy work, promotion of scientific and technical culture or research (32 days per year)

• Funding provided by: a doctoral agreement funded by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research / Regional authorities / Contract drawn up by the doctoral training establishment / Public Scientific and Technical Research Establishment (EPST)
• Value: €2,100 gross from 1 January 2024; increase from 2023 fixed by Order of 26 December 2022 amending that of 29 August 2016 setting the Rights to Compensation of Contract Doctoral Candidates
• Duration of funding: 3 years
• Application: Around May at the relevant doctoral school

A private-law doctoral contract is a contract between a doctoral student enrolled in a doctoral programme and an employer whose employees are in the private sector: a public industrial and commercial establishment (EPIC), a recognised public utility foundation (FRUP), a higher education establishment, etc

This is a 3-year fixed-term contract, renewable twice for a maximum of one year each time it is renewed(extensions of up to 9 months are possible in the event of maternity, illness or industrial accident. Possibility of early termination without payment of compensation if the employee does not re-enrol in doctoral studies)

The agreement is signed by the employer, the doctoral student and the enrolling institution

Decree 2021-1233 of 25 September 2021 provides guarantees for doctoral students and employers based on close collaboration with the Doctoral School :

• Working together to define the scope of the thesis topic and the terms and conditions of publication of the job
• Collaboration agreement between the employer, the doctoral student employee and the enrolment establishment, including elements concerning :
• • The material conditions for carrying out the research project, the time spent with the employer and additional activities
  • Definition of how the results will be shared
  • Access to training offered by the doctoral school and the employer
• Appointment of a contact person within the company responsible for supporting the doctoral student in his or her professional environment and ensuring the technical and scientific monitoring of the research activity, in collaboration with the thesis supervisor

The "Doctorat Handicap" campaign is a key element of the inclusion policy pursued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, in partnership with higher education establishments

Its aim is to encourage students with disabilities to continue their studies at doctoral level

The purpose of the CIFRE is to finance doctoral studies carried out in private companies or public administration; regional authorities, social organisations, NGOs, consular establishments (Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Agriculture, Trade), etc.

The CIFRE Grant is co-funded by the French Government and the company. A CIFRE doctoral student is considered an employee under a private law contract. They sign a fixed-term contract with a duration of no longer than 3 years or a permanent contract with a company governed by French law. This allows them to conduct their dissertation within the company and collaborate with an external research team, dividing their time equally between the two organizations.

There is no age limit to benefit from the CIFRE, but applicants must have obtained a Master's degree or equivalent no longer than 3 years before.

• Funding provided by: The company (3-year fixed-term contract or permanent contract) with subventions paid by the National Association for Research in Technology (ANRT) on behalf of the French Ministry.
• Value: Minimum gross annual salary of €23,484.
• Duration of funding: Maximum 3 years.
• Conditions: The candidate must hold a recent Master's degree (less than 3 years old) and not have already been enrolled in a doctoral programme for more than 1 year.
• Application: To be submitted to the ANRT in 4 copies. Applications can be processed at any time of the year.

Industrial Agreement for Training through Research (CIFRE)

• How to apply for a CIFRE (in French, PDF, 166kB)
• Check if you're eligible for a Research Tax Credit (CIR) (in French, PDF, 367 kB)
• Financial guide to completing your thesis in a company (in French, PDF, 355 kB)

Since 15 March 2022, public-sector employers have been able to take on doctoral students under the Conventions de formation par la recherche en administration (COFRA) scheme

This scheme, inspired by the CIFRE theses, offers State administrations, higher education and/or research establishments, research laboratories and doctoral students a new framework to facilitate the completion of theses in administration, which will enable them toacquire differentiating experience to eventually join these institutions

Find all the information on the 2023 call for expressions of interest for the recruitment of doctoral students in State civil service administrations

A doctoral candidate may be hired on a private law fixed-term contract (CDD) to complete their doctorate studies

Many foreign governments offer scholarships to their citizens who wish to pursue a doctorate abroad.

The amount awarded varies according to the local funding body.

In all cases, the minimum funding at the ED SMRE is €1400 per month.

Scholarship Programmes Directory

Consult the calls for projects under the University of Lille Excellence Initiative