Young Researchers Excellence Grants 2026 France

About the Grant

The Young Researchers Excellence Grants 2026 by Université Côte d’Azur, France, aim to support early-career postdoctoral researchers across all disciplines. This prestigious funding provides a 24-month fully funded postdoctoral position within the university’s world-class laboratories. Applicants develop original research projects in collaboration with a host laboratory and are encouraged to pursue permanent academic positions or ERC grants. The programme promotes interdisciplinary research, international collaboration, and innovative approaches that contribute to both scientific excellence and societal impact. Researchers from any field can propose projects, aligning with the university’s mission to enhance global research influence, foster talent mobility, and address contemporary challenges across multiple disciplines. This grant provides an exceptional platform for young researchers to build their academic careers in France and gain international visibility.

Grant Details

Grant Name: Young Researchers Excellence Grants 2026
Funding Agency/Institution: Université Côte d’Azur (IdEx)
Location: Nice, France
Research Field(s): All disciplines, interdisciplinary research encouraged
Grant Type: Postdoctoral project grant
Project Duration: 24 months
Funding Amount: Competitive salary with full benefits (EUR)
Grant Start Date (Expected): February 2027
Mode of Research: Individual project in collaboration with the host laboratory
Application Type: Open call

Research Areas Supported

Interdisciplinary Research
Environmental Science
Humanities and Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Technology and Innovation
Early-career Academic Development

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum Requirements

Academic Qualifications: PhD completed after 6 March 2022
Career Stage: Postdoctoral / Early-career researcher
Nationality/Residency: Open to all nationalities
Affiliation Requirements: Must collaborate with a Université Côte d’Azur laboratory
Experience Level: Evidence of research potential and publications

Preferred Qualifications

Interdisciplinary research experience
Strong publication record
Proposal demonstrating innovation or societal impact

Not Eligible

Applicants who defended their PhD before March 2022
Undergraduate or non-PhD holders
Applicants with ongoing conflicting grants

Grant Benefits

Funding Support: Competitive salary and full employment benefits
Travel Allowance: Support for conferences and research-related mobility
Lab/Research Material Costs: Covered by host laboratory
Collaborative Research Funding: Encouraged through joint projects
Publication Support: Open-access publication fees covered
Host Institution Support: Administrative assistance and mentoring
Professional Development Opportunities: Workshops, networking, and career guidance