Fulbright Award for Research in Northern France (Hauts-de-France)
France
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Conduct research at any university or research center in the Hauts-de-France region. Major cities include: Lille, Amiens, Lens, Valenciennes, Arras, Compiègne, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Beauvais, and Dunkirk.
The region is known for its competitive research clusters, prestigious universities actively seeking international cooperation, and significant investment in economic development. Fourteen of its institutions make up a prestigious I-SITE (national funding for universities demonstrating excellence) in Lille with an overall focus on health studies, digital systems, environmental/climate science, human and social sciences.
The region is also developing its European influence via its participation in two initiatives:
-The EUNICE project, an alliance of seven universities (including the Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France) working together to form the European University for Customised Education, a new educational model with increased inter-university mobility.
-NeurotechEU, the European University of Brain and Technology, an alliance of nine European univerisities (including the Université de Lille) with a focus on neurotechnology. By building a trans-European network of excellence in brain research and technologies, NeurotechEU works to increase the competitiveness of European education, research, the economy, and society.
Universities or research centers in the French region of Hauts-de-France.
For a map of Hauts-de-France and more information about the region, see the following link. Grantees are expected to reside in Hauts-de-France.
The Hauts-de-France region is well known for its friendliness and warm welcome, affordable cost of living, beautiful extensive coastline, medieval architecture, large and lively cities of Lille and Amiens, the Louvre Lens Museum and First World War battle sites. The region is directly linked by high speed train to Paris, Brussels, and London.
Short-term Flex grants for research spread over short segments are available during the fall and/or spring semesters (between September and July). Interested applicants should clearly indicate plans for Flex in their project statement, including project timeline.
Flex grant parameters:
• Grant length: total grant length minimum six months, maximum nine months over two years; grant segment length minimum three months, maximum six months.
• Grant segments may be spread over two consecutive years, with a maximum of one segment per year.
• Preference given for proposed grant periods during host institution's academic year.
• Conduct research in the area of specialization.
• In addition to their primary grant activities, Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
The Hauts-de-France region welcomes candidates in all disciplines: the hard and social sciences as well as the humanities. It is known for its strengths in environmental and climate sciences, health, and artificial intelligence, among many other fields.
Current research priorities for the region include:
-Marine energy and maritime studies
-Sustainable bioresources and biorefineries
-Interactive media and image content
-Circular economy and innovative materials
-Carbon reduction and energy efficiency
-Embedded artificial intelligence
-Precision health and lifestyle diseases
-Societal transformation and risk management
The region's strategic plan for the next five years prioritizes diversifying energy sources, decarbonization, sustainable buildings and energy efficiency, sustainable practices in agriculture/bioeconomy/use of forests and wood, and the circular economy.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Candidates having difficulty obtaining an affiliation may contact the Fulbright Commission for assistance: Charlotte Goodwin at cgoodwin@fulbright-france.org.
Applicants at the postdoctoral level are also welcome to apply.
Charlotte Goodwin, US Program Officer at the Franco-American Fulbright Commission
The Hauts-de-France region is home to large research and teaching universities, engineering schools, business schools, national research centers, and other institutions of higher education and research. The following list is by no means exhaustive; it is meant to highlight the excellence and diversity of offerings in the region. Interested applicants may contact the Fulbright Commission for assistance in identifying a host institution that matches their research interests.
Universities
Université de Picardie Jules Verne
Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France
Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale
Université Catholique de Lille
Université de Technologie de Compiègne (focus on engineering)
Engineering schools
Other specialty schools
Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme
Ecole Supérieure d’Art et de Design (ESAD)
Research centers
Institut Pasteur de Lille (immunology, microbiology, parasitology, cancer, etc.)
IFREMER (ocean sciences)
CNRS (under « Région » search « Hauts-de-France » for the list of 66 associated research units in all fields)
INRAE (bioeconomy)
INRIA (digital science and technology)
INERIS (controlling risks for sustainable development)
INSERM (medicine and health)
ONERA (aerospace)
ANSES (food, environmental, occupational health and safety)
Université Gustave Eiffel - Lille campus (transport systems and safety)
Centre de Référence Régional en Cancérologie – Hauts de France (CHRU de Lille, Centre Oscar Lambret) (cancer research)
€3,000 (approx. $3,200) 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). Flex grant travel stipend is a maximum of two round-trip travel allowance allocations of €1,200 each.
A studio apartment in Lille, by way of example, has an average monthly rent of about 495 euros (approximately $537). A monthly public transportation pass costs 63 euros (about $68).
Visa fees will be waived for Fulbright grantees and their accompanying dependents. The Fulbright Commission will provide support and guidance for the visa process.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
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: 2.22% 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.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Quotes from previous Fulbright-Hauts-de-France grantees:
"My family’s stay in Lille was such a wonderful and rewarding experience that it is difficult to put it into words. Not only did I make good progress in my research through collaborations at the University of Lille, but also, more importantly, we really enjoyed so many wonderful sights, cuisines, and warm hospitality that the Hauts-de-France region has to offer. We made several friends at work and at home, including at my kids’ school there, that we have kept in touch since. We hope to return to that region frequently, to refresh all those fond memories.”
“My stay in Amiens was professionally productive and introduced my family and me to the warmth of the French culture and the importance of community.”
“The many discussions that I have had with professors and students in my host lab have been extraordinary opportunities to exchange ideas about science as well as share views on our respective societies and cultures.”
“I believe that this Fulbright experience is the best I have had in 33 years as a faculty member.”