Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions

‘French Institutes for Advanced Study’ (FIAS)

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2026/2027

As a partner of the French Institutes for Advanced Study Fellowship Programme, the University of Montpellier offers 10-month fellowships (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action) at its MAK’IT institute in Montpellier. High-level international scholars and scientists are invited to apply to develop their innovative research projects in France

For the 2026-2027 academic year, 2 FIAS  fellowship positions are offered in Montpellier, with a starting date of September 2026.

The call is open to all disciplines in the social sciences and the humanities (SSH) and all research fields. Research projects in other sciences and in arts that propose a strong interaction and dialogue with the SSH are also eligible. At MAK’IT the proposals should include a strong inter- and transdisciplinary approach and highlight connections to current societal challenges and their impact on transitions toward sustainable development.

Application process

  • Application deadline: July 16th, 2025 – 6:00 pm (Paris, France time)
  • July – October 2025: Peer review process
  • December 2025: Preselection by the FIAS Selection
  • January – February 2026: Selection by the IAS Scientific Advisory Boards
  • March 2026: Communication of results

How to apply?

Applications are submitted online via www.fias-fp.eu

Solid plans for collaboration with the member institutions of (MAKIT partners), and with local scientific institutions are most welcome. Do not hesitate to contact them and/or their research centers and labs to discuss potential collaborations that would strengthen your research project.

Evaluation criteria

FIAS awards fellowships to outstanding researchers of all career levels, from postdoctoral researchers to senior scientists.

The minimum requirement is a PhD + 2 years of research experience at the time of the application.(PhD training will not be considered in the calculation of experience).

Researchers from all countries are eligible to the FIAS Fellowship Programme but they must have spent no more than 12 months in France during the three years prior to the application deadline.

Support and Funding

All IAS have agreed on common standards, at MAK’IT, a hosting agreement is signed between the University of Montpellier, on which MAK’IT depends administratively, the host research units and the fellow to formalize the following modalities.

The financial support provided by MAK’IT for each FIAS fellow:

  • Round-Trip Travel: Booked by MAK’IT (second class, economy class).
  • Monthly Stipend: € 2,200 per month
  • Accommodation: Directly covered by MAK’IT for accommodation (individual apartment at the Villa Leenhardt near the Triolet campus)
  • Relocation Expenses: Visas, health insurance, home and civil liability insurance.
  • Research Costs: Funding available to the visiting fellow at the research unit (€2,500 per researcher)

Commitments of fellows

Time spent in Montpellier

Each invited fellow is required to be in Montpellier for at least 90% of the duration of his/her stay (excluding periods of closure of the Institute). This residency requirement, which is essential to establish genuine partnerships with the local scientific community, is compatible with occasional absences, which must be reported in advance. Absences of less than a week are simply notified to the host research unit(s) and the MAK’IT team. A longer absence will be subject to management approval.

Contribution to MAK’IT activities 

The fellow commits to contribute to the interdisciplinary activities, meetings and reflections organized by MAK’IT during his/her stay.He/she undertakes to share the progress of his/her research with the other fellows and the local scientific community and to prepare a short activity report at the end of his/her stay.

Communication and dissemination of results

The fellow retains the intellectual property rights to the results of his/her research carried out as part of this fellowship with MAK’IT.

He/she undertakes to contribute to MAK’IT’s publications and other communication tools concerning the progress of his research.

He/she keeps MAK’IT informed of its participation in external symposia, seminars or scientific events as well as of his/her publications, prizes and distinctions obtained or any new development in his/her career.

He/she authorizes MAK’IT to publish his/her portrait and, if relevant, the results of his/her research carried out at MAK’IT for the Institute’s archives. In the event of their wider dissemination, the fellow undertakes to mention the support he has received from MAK’IT , to mention as well the funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101217263 and to affix the Institute’s logo to them.

Application deadline: 16 July 2025 – 6:00 pm (Paris, France time).

The scientific selection is highly competitive, merit-based and conducted through an international independent peer review.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101217263

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