Please note that PhD students enrolled in a doctoral programme at Sorbonne University are still considered students. However, when they are awarded a doctoral contract, they are also granted researcher status. Some specific procedures and resources that apply in these cases can be found in the “student” profile.
Scientific mobility
You are doing an international mobility programme at Sorbonne University to conduct research or study. Before coming to our campuses, you need to complete a number of administrative procedures which depend on your nationality, the length of your stay, the amount of funding available to you and how your mobility experience is set up.
Degree-granting mobility with a partnership agreement
This type of student or researcher mobility is part of an international programme leading to the award of a degree from each partner institution, such as, for example, the international joint doctorate programme.
This scheme encourages doctoral candidate mobility by developing scientific cooperation between French and foreign research teams.
Doctoral candidates carry out their work under the supervision of a research supervisor in each of the two countries concerned and obtain two doctorates. Each joint supervision of a doctorate is governed by an individual agreement between the two institutions involved and the PhD candidate, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
How to proceed ?
As soon as your home institution has validated your application, go to the “Joint doctorate programme” section of the Sorbonne University website to set up your project. Begin preparing your mobility by first completing the residency-related administrative procedures, which can be found in the “Managing your stay” section and identify the relevant contact at Sorbonne University by consulting the “Contact and appointments” section.
Non-degree-granting mobility with a partnership agreement
This type of student or researcher mobility programme involves spending part of your university course abroad without receiving a degree from the host institution.
This type of mobility must be governed by a partnership agreement between Sorbonne University and your home institution (MoU or specific international cooperation agreement, Erasmus+ bilateral or multilateral agreement, etc.) or be linked to an official programme (Chateaubriand grants, Hubert Curien partnership, etc.).
To be eligible, you must be nominated by your home institution for a study period at Sorbonne University or be selected for a scholarship programme.
How to proceed ?
Contact the appropriate department at your home institution to find out about existing partnerships and schemes and to validate your mobility programme project.
Prepare for your mobility experience by starting the administrative procedures for your stay by consulting the "Managing your stay" section and identify the relevant contact at Sorbonne University by consulting the “Contact and appointments” section.
Non-degree-granting mobility with no partnership agreement
This type of student or researcher mobility programme involves spending part of your university course abroad at an institution with which your home institution does not have a partnership. You will not receive a degree from the host establishment at the end of your stay.
How to proceed ?
Contact the appropriate department at your home institution to validate your mobility project.
Get in touch with the Sorbonne University research team that will be hosting you and visit the “Contact and appointments” section.
Prepare for your mobility experience by starting the administrative procedures for your stay by consulting the "Managing your stay" section.
Professional mobility
Professional mobility with a partnership agreement
A professional mobility programme with a partnership agreement involves spending time doing research or teaching at a foreign institution with which your home institution has signed a partnership agreement (MoU or specific international cooperation agreement, bilateral or multilateral Erasmus+ agreement, etc.) or as part of an official programme (e.g. Hubert Curien partnership, visiting professors scheme, etc.).
You remain an employee and are paid by your institution throughout the duration of your stay.
How to proceed ?
Contact the appropriate department at your home institution to find out about existing partnerships and schemes and to validate your mobility project.
Take the necessary steps in line with the criteria and procedures of the scheme on which your mobility programme is based and design your mobility project in conjunction with the Sorbonne University research team or training department that will be hosting you.
Prepare for your mobility experience by starting the administrative procedures for your stay by consulting the "Managing your stay" section and identify the relevant contact at Sorbonne University by consulting the “Contact and appointments” section.
Specific provisions for the Sorbonne University visiting professors scheme:
Each year, Sorbonne University's research units invite professors to carry out research work at our university for a recommended period of one month, which can exceptionally be split into two 15-day periods.
Sorbonne University will finance the invitation up to €3,500 at most, for travel and/or accommodation expenses either paid directly by the research unit, or by reimbursement of expenses in accordance with current rules.
This programme is subject to availability of funds.
Have you been invited by a Sorbonne University research unit?
Contact the appropriate department at your home institution to validate your mobility project.
Prepare for your mobility experience by starting the administrative procedures for your stay by consulting the "Managing your stay" section and identify the relevant contact at Sorbonne University by consulting the “Contact and appointments” section.
Professional mobility without a partnership agreement
This type of professional mobility consists of completing a period of research or teaching in a foreign institution with which your home institution does not have a partnership agreement.
How to proceed ?
Contact the appropriate department at your home institution to validate your mobility project.
Get in touch with the Sorbonne University research team that will be hosting you and visit the “Contact and appointments” section.
Prepare for your mobility experience by starting the administrative procedures for your stay by consulting the "Managing your stay" section.
International solidarity programmes
True to its humanist values of solidarity, cultural openness, and academic and political freedom, Sorbonne University is committed to welcoming student and scientific communities affected by current geopolitical upheavals and ongoing international crises.
Through various programmes, our institution seeks to help these people to arrive and settle in the best possible way, and to offer them an environment in which they can flourish.
The PAUSE programme aimed at welcoming scientists in exile.
For several years now, Sorbonne University has been working alongside the PAUSE programme, the emergency hosting programme for scientists and artists in exile.
The PAUSE programme, managed by Collège de France, organises three regular calls for applications each year. Additional calls (emergency calls) may be opened further to a decision by Collège de France in view of the urgency of certain geopolitical situations.
The awardees are integrated into their host laboratory at Sorbonne University for a period of one year. While at Sorbonne University, they are supported by one or more colleagues from the laboratory and receive financial support from the PAUSE programme and Sorbonne University.
At the end of the first year, they can apply to renew the contract for a further year (maximum). All requests are assessed by the PAUSE programme and must receive prior approval from the institution.
The "Choose France for Science" programme aimed at welcoming international scientists
The French National Research Agency (ANR) has launched the "Choose France for Science" programme for 2025 to welcome scientists currently working abroad in fields that have been particularly hard hit by financial cuts in their home countries (climatology, health, etc.).
The aim of this Chairs of Excellence programme for top-level researchers and engineers working abroad is to provide leading researchers with funding to carry out major new projects in France over a three-year period.
To be accepted, a candidate must present a financial package to a host laboratory or research unit – often in coordination with a national research organisation – that guarantees the salary and environmental costs, and a commitment from the candidate to submit an ERC (European Research Council) project.
An additional €30,000 in support may be granted by the Region to applicants under age 40.
