Find the answer to our current call for fellowships
MAK’IT offers a range of Fellowships opportunities for scholars at various stages of their careers. In this blogpost, our programme manager answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Visiting Fellowships.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to email for more information.
Before Your Fellowship
Q: How many fellowships are available?
Currently, up to 10 fellowships are available.
Q: What is a ‘unité de recherche’ and how can I find contacts?
In France, research units (unités de recherche) primarily focus on research activities, while academic departments are centered around teaching and academic administration. Sometimes these organisations are referred to as a laboratory or institute and gathers a few hundred researchers and you can find the list of eligible research units here.
Faculties are not research units, so they cannot sponsor your application. Faculty staff are also affiliated to research units and you can find out their affiliation from their publications. For example, the director of MAK’IT, Laura Michel, teaches at the Faculty of Political Science and her research unit is CEPEL (Centre d’Etudes Politiques Et sociaLes).
If you find a research unit in Montpellier that is relevant to your work, you can contact any researcher there who will ask for the support of the head of the unit, guaranteeing that they can provide adequate access to research facilities. Candidates may also be jointly hosted by several units if they think it’s appropriate for their research goals.
Q: Do I need a collaborator from Montpellier?
Yes. To apply for a MAK’IT Fellowship, you need a host who must be a researcher based in Montpellier and who will submit the entire application. This can be a researcher with whom you already have an established relationship, or someone with whom you are interested in developing a collaborative relationship. This criterion is fundamental in assessing the eligibility of applicants, as it provides evidence of satisfactory alignment with the University’s research priorities.
MAK’IT requires you to find a local host drawn from a number of local research organisations which are UM partners, including CIRAD, CHU de Montpellier, CHU de Nîmes, CEA, CNRS, ENSCM, ICM, Institut Agro, INRAE, INSERM, IRD, BRGM, CIHEAM IAM, IFREMER and INRIA.
Q: Can I be hosted in more than one research unit?
Yes. Interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations are encouraged. Fellows are welcome to engage with researchers from other units and institutions. You can have a main research unit submit your application, and you can also mention other research units in your application if you expect to work closely with them.
Q: What can I expect from my host?
It is anticipated that your collaborator in Montpellier will host you in their respective research unit. This will include providing support during the fellowship to engage with other researchers, networks and departments in Montpellier and beyond.
When contacting them, we suggest you to provide the following information:
- Introduce yourself and the MAK’IT fellowship for which you are applying.
- Include a paragraph outlining your proposed project.
- Explain how this intersects with your proposed collaborator’s research interests.
Please be aware that researchers often have a great many competing priorities to manage. Should you wish to develop new relationships with colleagues in Montpellier, we advise you to contact them well in advance of the application deadline.
Q: When will my fellowship start?
The fellowship can start 15 September 2025, or 13 January 2026, or 1 April 2026. You can indicate a preferred start month within this range, but there is no guarantee that your preference will be met, and you may be offered a different start date than what you applied for.
Q: Will I be offered the fellowship period that I applied for?
The duration of the fellowship requested must be justified in the project description. The duration of the project will be assessed by the selection committee in relation to the project description.
Q: How long does the selection process take?
The selection process takes approximately six weeks.
Q: How is my postdoctoral experience counted?
You are eligible to apply for a fellowship, if you are able to document a least five years of full time experience after the completion of your PhD, at the time of the application deadline.
Q: Can I apply to MAK’IT if I am an independent researcher?
No. Usually, people who want to apply must already have a job at a university or research centre. MAK’IT fellows usually benefit from a paid leave of absence.
Q: Can the fellowship be prolonged?
No, the fellowship is granted in relation to your project description, thus the project and the fellowship period is fixed.
Q: When will I receive information on whether or not I will be offered a fellowship?
You will receive offers/refusals by email in May 2025 at the earliest, so it is important that you have access to your email account and check it regularly during this time. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of May if you are applying for a stay between September and December 2025. If you have applied for the second call for applications for an arrival in January 2026, the offer/refusal notification will be sent at a later date.
Q: Do I need health insurance for my stay in the France?
Yes. If you’re a visiting fellow arriving from abroad, you must have health insurance that covers emergency and non-emergency medical treatment during your stay. MAK’IT will provide the most suitable insurance plan for you (details to be provided once you are selected.
Q: Can I bring my family or dependents to Montpellier?
Yes, you can bring your family or dependents to Montpellier, though MAK’IT is unable to cover any additional costs involved in bringing dependants to France. The local Euraxess office offers assistance, including social events for visitors, their partners and children.
Yes, you will be able to come to Montpellier with your family; however, accommodation will only be covered by MAK’IT if it involves minor children who will be enrolled in school or if your partner will also be staying for the entire duration in Montpellier.
Q: Can I bring my children to Montpellier and are there schools available for them?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your children with you and the local Euraxess office will assist with securing nursery or school places for them.
For schooling, there are a number of primary and secondary schools in Montpellier and the Montpellier City Council’s website provides further guidance on how to apply.
Q: Is travel and accommodation provided for Visiting Fellows?
MAK’IT covers travel and accommodation for all our Fellowships. We will provide advice on travel options and you should not make your own travel arrangements.
For accommodation, the Institute has at its disposal newly renovated one and two bedroom apartments in the Villa Leenhardt, next to its premises. This type of accommodation is offered to researchers travelling alone or in couple.
For researchers travelling with their families, the Institute works with a seasonal apartment rental agency in Montpellier that offers a range of high quality, fully equipped apartments in the city centre. Requests for family accommodation (spouse and children under 18 years of age) must be indicated on the application form in order to be considered.
During Your Fellowship
Q: What are the working hours and office access for Visiting Fellows?
The standard office hours in the research unit are 09:00–17:00, but visiting fellows can use the MAK’IT space during the week from 08:00 to 19:45. Please note that support staff, including IT and reception, are only available during standard office hours. The rules of the hosting research unit may be different.
It is recommended that Fellows use the workspace as much as possible, but also that some remote working is allowed when necessary. Visiting Fellows can get into the workspace at Villa Leenhardt any time, any day.
Q. Will I receive a salary from the University of Montpellier?
You will receive a stipend, not a salary, as fellowships are not considered employment. You do not need to pay or declare income tax in France, but we cannot provide tax advice. Fellows are responsible for complying with the applicable tax reporting requirements for their home country.
Q: Will the fellowship stipend be sufficient to cover my stay in Montpellier?
The MAK’IT fellowship offers financial support in the form of a tax-free monthly allowance of €1,500 and free accommodation. This makes it one of the most affordable fellowships available. The cost of living in Montpellier is relatively moderate compared to other major European cities, ensuring a comfortable lifestyle for fellows and their families. Public transport in Montpellier is free for residents, offering a valuable benefit.
Q: Are there any language requirements for the fellowship?
Fluency in English is essential. While French is not a requirement, it is recommended that Fellows have a basic understanding of French to facilitate daily interactions. Language support may be available.
Q. Will I need to bring my own laptop?
You can bring a laptop and connect it to a big screen in our MAK’IT office. However, your host research unit may have a different policy, so please check with your local scientific host.
Q: Will I have access to printing and other office facilities?
Yes, you will have access to printing, scanning facilities at MAK’IT.
Q: How can I access University facilities like libraries and Wi-Fi?
Your University Card is your gateway to the University Library and a world of digital resources at your fingertips through the catalogue! Connect to Wi-Fi in MAK’IT and other University buildings with eduroam. Simply register your devices before arrival to get connected. If your home institution doesn’t support eduroam, no problem! You can enjoy the convenience of UM-Net guest Wi-Fi, just sign in again each time.
Q: Do I have access to other departments and faculty resources?
Yes, as a Visiting Fellow, you have access to a wide range of University resources, including libraries and sometimes unit-specific facilities relevant to your research.
Q: Can I attend events organised by MAK’IT or any University departments?
Yes. We really encourage our fellows to attend the seminars and any event MAK’IT organise with and for them. You’re also very welcome to participate in events hosted by other University departments and research units.
Q: Can Visiting Fellows host their own events?
Yes. It is possible to propose and potentially organise small workshops or talks related to your research. This represents an excellent opportunity to disseminate your work and engage with the local academic community. The research unit will manage your research allowance and can use it to sponsor the event, provide logistical support in the form of venue booking, speakers’ travel expenses, catering provision and publicity.
The fellowship requires you to present your research in at least one seminar at your research unit. The research unit is responsible for organising this as soon as possible after your arrival.
Q: Is bike hire available for getting around Montpellier?
Yes. Montpellier is a bike-friendly city with bike hire. Biking is a popular way to get around.
After your fellowship
Q: Acknowledgements in publications resulting from projects funded by MAK’IT should explicitly mention MAK’IT. Is there a standard wording?
This research was supported by the MAK’IT (Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions) Visiting Fellowship at the University of Montpellier, France.
Q: What is required in the final report of activity?
The final report should include a summary of your research activities, key findings, publications, collaborations, and any challenges encountered. It should also outline the impact of your work and future research plans.
Q: When is the final report due?
The final report is due within three months after the completion of your fellowship. Please ensure it is submitted on time to facilitate the evaluation process.
Q: How should the final report be submitted?
The final report should be submitted by email. Detailed instructions and a template will be provided to you. The final report should follow the formatting guidelines provided in the template, including font size, margins, and section headings. This ensures consistency and ease of review.
Q: Will there be any follow-up meetings or presentations required? Yes, fellows may be invited to present their findings at a follow-up seminar or meeting. This provides an opportunity to share your research with the institute’s fellow and discuss potential future collaborations.