About the Fellowship
The EFEO Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 at the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO) / French School of Asian Studies, Paris, offers two fully funded positions for the 2026–2027 academic year. This prestigious postdoctoral research fellowship supports advanced scholarship in the humanities and social sciences focusing on the civilisations of South, Southeast, and East Asia. One fellowship is an open, non-targeted position aligned with the institution’s principal research areas in Asian Studies. The second is the “David Ruegg” Postdoctoral Fellowship, specifically dedicated to Buddhist Studies. Projects engaging the School’s research centres and academic networks are encouraged, though mobility is not mandatory. Eligible disciplines include history, anthropology, archaeology, philology, and religious studies. Knowledge of one or more Asian languages, enabling work with primary sources, is highly valued. The contract begins on 1 September 2026, strengthening international collaboration and global research excellence in Asian civilisations.
Fellowship Details
- Position Title: EFEO Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026–2027
- Host Institution: École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO) / (French School of the Far East / French School of Asian Studies)
- Administering Body: French Ministry of Higher Education and Research
- Location: Paris, France
- Research Fields: Asian Studies, Buddhist Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Fellowship Type: Full-time Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Duration: One academic year (2026–2027)
- Start Date: 1 September 2026
- Funding: Fully funded postdoctoral contract
- Required Qualification: Completed PhD in a relevant discipline
Supported Research Areas
- South Asian Civilisations
- Southeast Asian Civilisations
- East Asian Civilisations
- Buddhist Studies
- History and Religious Studies
- Anthropology and Archaeology
- Philology and Textual Studies
Eligibility Criteria
Minimum Requirements:
- Completed doctoral degree (PhD) in humanities or social sciences
- Research aligned with Asian civilisations
- Capacity to conduct independent scholarly research
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of one or more Asian languages
- Ability to work with primary historical or textual sources
- Engagement in international academic collaboration
Fellowship Benefits
- Fully funded postdoctoral contract for 2026–2027
- Institutional affiliation with the French School of Asian Studies
- Access to research centres and scholarly networks
- Professional academic development opportunities
- Integration into international Asian Studies research networks
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct independent postdoctoral research
- Collaborate with institutional research centres
- Contribute to academic publications and dissemination
- Participate in scholarly activities and research events
Application Process
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their complete application by email only, as a single consolidated PDF file, to appui.recherche@efeo.net.
Required Documents:
- Completed application form
- Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Detailed research proposal or project summary
- Recommendation letters (if required in the official call)
- Relevant supporting documents, including publications or academic endorsements
All documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a French or English translation.
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 10 February 2026
- Application Deadline: 7 April 2026, 6:00 p.m. (Paris time)
- Fellowship Start Date: 1 September 2026
Where to Apply
- Institution Website: French School of Asian Studies (EFEO)
- Official Fellowship Notification: Click here
- Apply Online Here: 📧 appui.recherche@efeo.net
Contact for Queries: Refer to the official contact page via https://www.efeo.fr
