Fulbright-Iméra Migration Studies Award (Aix-Marseille)
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 in any discipline relating to migration studies at the Institut d'études avancées (Iméra) of Aix-Marseille Université in Marseille, France, and co-supervise the Iméra/Fulbright research cycle on Migration Studies, together with local fellows.
Iméra is part of the University of Aix-Marseille (AMU). A leading research university. Aix-Marseille University makes a large contribution to the knowledge economy and to the dissemination of knowledge, bringing fundamental disciplinary and interdisciplinary research to societal issues. It is associated with major national and international research players with whom it develops and leads a scientific strategy.
Iméra is anchored in the heart of an exceptional archival reservoir: the municipal archives and departmental archives of Marseille, the MUCEM archives (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations), the ANOM (National Overseas Archives, archives of the former French colonial empire), and the Albert CAMUS archives in Aix-en-Provence, to name a few.
Cultural and scientific framework:
The city of Marseille comprises diverse and contrasting geographic territories (sea, mountain, and urban areas) and has an archaeological, natural, and cultural heritage that promotes the development of interdisciplinary projects.
Structured around 111 units, 9 research federations, around fifty labeled platforms, Aix-Marseille University has remarkable scientific potential in fundamental and applied research that is both interdisciplinary and backed by solid disciplinary sectors (5 major sectors: Sciences, Arts, Languages Letters and Human Sciences, Law and Political Sciences, Health, Economics and Management).
Today, AMU is an intensive research university, which has forged privileged partnerships around the world, which has affirmed its roots and its territorial integration and which is among the very first French universities in international rankings.
The grant may be for 10 months (September-June) or 5 months (February-June).
All fields related to the study of population migration (in particular migration around and across the Mediterranean region).
Applications demonstrating interdisciplinarity, originality, strong potential for collaboration, and themes connected to the institute's priorities are particularly appreciated.
Housing is offered by the host institution for the scholar and their family. Assistance will be provided to help the scholar place his/her children in local schools, if applicable.
The Institute for Advanced Study of Aix-Marseille University (Iméra) is located in a large park in the heart of Marseille and includes two main buildings: the Maison des astronomes, historic seat of the Observatory built under the Second Empire, and a modern building from the 1960s where astronomers and astrophysicists worked (renovated and inaugurated in June 2015).
Iméra now has 14 accommodation units, 2 seminar rooms (50 and 30 seats), offices and meeting rooms, as well as convivial spaces. It offers an exceptional setting for welcoming residents and building an interdisciplinary scientific community.
Iméra provides residents with fully equipped apartments, with all household linen (sheets and towels), some of which can accommodate families. The allocation of housing is the sole decision of Iméra, which strives to accommodate all residents as well as possible.
For more information about life on campus, see Iméra's website.
Residents also benefit from an equipped office in a large shared space. Iméra is also currently in the process of creating a space for research and artistic production.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants must secure a letter of invitation from a scholar at an academic department, institute, research unit, or other research organization attached to Aix-Marseille Université.
At least a conversational level of French is recommended in order to benefit fully from the community at Iméra.
Charlotte Goodwin, US Program Officer at the Franco-American Fulbright Commission
- Iméra's website in English
- Aix-Marseille Université
€2,400 (approx. $2,600) per month.
Housing is also provided and fully covered by host institution. There are apartments for single researchers, couples, and families with children, which would otherwise cost between $788 and $1966 per month.
International travel allowance provided for grantee only. All research scholars receive a travel allowance of €1,200 (approx. $1,300).
- Visa fees will be waived for Fulbright grantees and their accompanying dependents.
- Expenses will be covered relating to the organization of on-campus academic events.
- Housing fully covered by host institution.
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.
Applicants must be affiliated with an institution of higher education.
Iméra is the Institute for Advanced Study of Aix-Marseille University, the largest Francophone university in the world. Iméra welcomes scholars from around the world who are engaged in cross-disciplinary research projects for short-term stays.
Awardees should expect to attend weekly meetings with the other scholars in residence for community building.
Interested candidates may contact Marie-Pierre Ulloa, marie-pierre.ulloa@univ-amu.fr