Fulbright Award for Research in Normandy
France
Number of recipients
Conduct research at any university or research center in the Normandy region. Higher education and research are primarily concentrated in the following three cities: Caen, Rouen, and Le Havre. Other possible locations include: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Elbeuf, Saint-Lô, Evreux, Dieppe, Flers, Alençon, and Vire.
The Normandy region has three universities, seven engineering schools, three business schools, three schools of arts and architecture, eight national research organizations with local implantations, and many other institutions of higher education and research.
The primary higher education hubs, Caen and Rouen, host 33,000 and 27,000 students respectively. There are degree programs in a wide variety of fields, including : law, health, sciences, commerce, management, languages, architecture, fine arts, management, information-communication, logistics, technology, tourism, maritime studies … Key figures : 115,030 students overall; 3,000 courses available in the region; 10,991 international students. For more information about higher education, see .https://www.choosenormandy.com/i-choose/study-in-france-normandy/university-higher-education-normandy/
Universities or research centers in the French region of Normandy (Normandie).
For basic information about the region in English, see the following site. Grantees are expected to reside in Normandy for the duration of the award.
Normandy is a popular destination thanks to its famous beaches, rich history (from the Dukes of Normandy to the Impressionists to the D-Day landings), beautiful countryside, and delicious local cuisine.
The Normandy Region welcomes candidates in all fields, with a preference for projects that focus on the following fields that are part of its specialization strategy:
- Agriculture
- Marine Sciences
- Forestry
- Sustainable energy
- Human health
- Veterinary science
- Sustainable digitilization
- Green transportation
- Risk management
Please note that the Normandy region is open to welcoming on its territory strong research projects in fields not mentioned above. Find out more about local strengths in industry : "Choose Normandy" https://www.choosenormandy.com/industries-excellence/
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Charlotte Goodwin, US Program Officer at the Franco-American Fulbright Commission
€2,800 (approx. $2,960) per month. There is no allocation for accompanying dependents. Applicants are responsible for finding their own housing, although some host institutions may facilitate the process. The Euraxess network can also help with housing and local logistics.
International travel allowance provided for grantee only. All research scholars receive a travel allowance of €1,200 (approx. $1,300).
This website gives cost of living estimates. Here is information for Caen, by way of example: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Caen.
Visa fees will be waived for Fulbright grantees and their accompanying dependents. The Fulbright Commission will provide support and guidance for the visa process.
France
Why France?
France has been the world's top tourist destination for over 25 years. Visitors come from all over to enjoy French cuisine, tour its famous museums and monuments, and explore its beautiful cities. More on French tourism and attractions.
The country has an excellent and accessible healthcare system, a high-quality public school system starting at nursery school, comprehensive public transportation and high-speed rail networks, and lively cultural scene.
France is also a key place to do research, teach, or pursue professional development. It is home to 72 universities, 227 engineering schools, 220 business schools, 45 state art schools, 22 architecture schools, and 3000 private institutions of higher education. Research is a high priority: 2.18% of the country's GDP is devoted to research and development. The CNRS (national scientific research council) produces the highest number of scientific publications in the world. More on reasons to choose France and the French research landscape.
Applicants can find useful practical information about life in France (housing, schooling, etc.) through the free national Euraxess network.
Being a Fulbrighter in France
Fulbright France hosts two all-grantee events every year (orientation in September and mid-year meeting in February) in Paris. Fulbrighters gather together to get practical information, meet each other, learn about important issues in French society, and explore the cultural sites of Paris. There are also other activities on offer, including conferences, informal gatherings around a galette des rois or French cheeses, and concerts from Fulbright musicians.
Candidates interested in applying can visit the Franco-American Commission's website. For more detailed information, contact Charlotte Goodwin, US Program Officer at the Franco-American Fulbright Commission, at cgoodwin@fulbright-france.org.
Quotes from Fulbright scholar alumni:
"My fellowship helped me establish new connections and cement existing research collaborations with French scientists and their students in a substantial way that will carry forward for at least the next decade. The program also gave me a new window into the graduate education of French students that I will bring back to my home institution and that will benefit them and future exchanges that will occur. Finally, the experience gave me, and my family a much more detailed picture and appreciation of France and its people with new insights into its history and prehistory, people, and society."
"I refer to this year as the 'magical year' because I was able to focus on my research, to make enduring connections with researchers based in France, to drastically deepen my ability to work in French, and to enjoy my daily life in a way I often find impossible while I’m in the midst of a full semester of teaching, administrative work, and meetings at my home institution. I came to better understand French academia and to build professionally meaningful relationships at my host institution. I was a citizen of a city, a member of an institution, and a speaker of a language in which I was immensely happy."
“The Fulbright program enabled me to develop several completely new avenues of research that would have been absolutely impossible without having this extended time to be in residence in my French host lab. On a personal level, Fulbright enabled me and my family to have a fascinating and immersive year in European culture that will especially benefit our kids for decades to come.”
Fulbright France has an active YouTube channel with many interviews of Fulbrighters past and present: https://www.youtube.com/user/ComFulbrightFR.
Potential host institutions include:
Universities
Université de Caen Normandie
Université de Rouen Normandie
Université Le Havre Normandie
Engineering Schools
Insa Rouen Normandie
ENSICAEN
Esigelec
BUILDERS
Institut polytechnique UniLaSalle (Rouen campus)
CESI Ecole d'ingénieurs (Caen and Rouen campuses)
ISEN Caen
Business Schools
EM Normandie (Caen and Le Havre campuses)
Neoma Business School (Rouen campus)
Other higher education institutions
Sciences Po - Le Havre campus (social sciences and humanities, Asia-Pacific focused)
ENSA Normandie (architecture)
ESADHaR (art and design)
Esam Caen/Cherbourg (art and media)
Institut Catholique de Paris - Rouen campus
CNAM Normandie
Polyvia Formation
Research clusters
CNRS (All disciplines) - search "Normandie" under "Region" to refine results
Inserm (Health research) - Caen and Rouen
CEA (Nuclear energy, materials sciences) - Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
CEREMA Normandie-Centre (ecological transition and regional planning)
GANIL (ion beams) - Caen
INRAE (Agriculture, agronomy, life sciences) - Caen, Rouen, Gouffern-en-Auge
BRGM (Geosciences and mining) - Rouen
IFREMER (Marine/coastal ecosystems) - Port-en-Bessin-Huppain
INERIS (Aquatic ecotoxocology) - Le Havre
IRSN (Radioecology) - Cherbourg-Octeville
LABEO (Normandy interdepartmental analysis and research center)
ANSES (Animal health)
ENVA (equine health) - Goustranville