Call for Applications 2026

Are you a researcher? Are you interested in developing scientific cooperation with France? The High-Level Scientific Stay Programme offers PhD candidates, early-career researchers and established researchers affiliated with an Estonian higher education institution or research organisation the opportunity to undertake a 15-day research stay in a French laboratory. Applications will be assessed on the basis of their scientific quality and their potential to strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation between France and Estonia.

Eligibility

The programme is open to researchers affiliated with an Estonian higher education institution or research organisation belonging to one of the following categories:

Early-career researchers: PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and researchers who obtained their PhD no more than five years before the date of their arrival in France.

Established researchers: Researchers who obtained their PhD more than five years before the date of their arrival in France and who have a recognised record of scientific achievement.

Applicants must:

• be affiliated with an Estonian higher education institution or research organisation at the time of application;
• have identified a host laboratory, university or research organisation in France;
• submit a mobility project related to their research activities.

Scientific Fields

The programme is open to all scientific disciplines.

Projects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will be given priority under this call for applications.

Grant

The programme provides:

• one round-trip airfare between Estonia and France;
• a tax-free lump-sum allowance of:
  • €925 for early-career researchers;
  • €1,027 for established researchers.

This allowance is intended to contribute towards living expenses in France, including accommodation, meals, local transportation and other mobility-related costs.

Duration of the Stay

The research stay will last 15 consecutive days.

All stays must take place during 2026 and be completed no later than 31 December 2026.

Application Timeline

The call for applications is open on a rolling basis until 30 September 2026.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Each application will be evaluated individually, ensuring a prompt assessment and timely notification of results.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible, as grants will be awarded subject to the availability of funding.

Application Procedure

The following documents should be sent to:

biken.ozdemir@ife.ee

The application package must include:

• the completed application form, including a description of the proposed scientific project (available for download in Word format);
• a curriculum vitae (maximum two pages);
• A selection of 5 publications maximun
• an invitation letter from the host laboratory, university or research organisation in France, indicating the proposed dates of the research stay.
• A passport scan

All application documents must be submitted as a single PDF file.

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