"Hosting High-Level Researchers" 2015: the call for candidacies is open
Launched for the first time in 2014, the "Hosting High Level Researchers" programme fits into a global context of international mobility of researchers. ANR wishes to promote the international attractiveness of France by offering leading foreign scientists excellent working conditions within reputed French research organisations. This is a "win-win" initiative that is underpinned by a high level of commitment on the part of the hosting organisations.
The call follows in the footsteps of ANR's former "Post-Doctoral Return" and "Chairs of Excellence" programmes.
It is open to all scientific domains and targets two researcher profiles: leading "senior" scientists whose career is widely recognised at global level, and young researchers ("juniors") with high potential who can prove a record of excellence on the international scene.
The reply to this call is a collaborative effort between the researcher and the hosting institution.
For foreign researchers it is an opportunity to conduct ambitious research projects in France under excellent conditions
The selected candidates will be hosted in a very high quality environment and attributed substantial resources to ensure the success of their scientific work, with a view to encouraging long-term residence in France.
The ANR funding can reach up to €500k for junior researchers and €1,000 k for senior profiles, and will enable the successful candidate to set up a research team and carry out an ambitious 3 to 4 year project with high impact on a scientific subject that has received little, if any, attention in France. The grant can cover all or part of the researcher's salary as well as the operating and equipment expenses.
The conditions of candidacy are simple:
- Reside abroad (or have arrived in France recently)
- For junior profiles: the candidates must have spent at least 24 months outside the French territory during their post-doctoral career and they must have defended their thesis no less than two years and no more than seven years ago
- For senior profiles: the candidates must have spent the majority of their career abroad
Once the ANR funding has been set up, the candidates must be able to move to France rapidly. The candidates are expected to give a long-term commitment.
For the French research organisations it is an opportunity to attract high-level foreign scientists
This initiative, which is intended only for organisations situated on French territory, aims at increasing ties between foreign laboratories and French research institutions so as to give the latter enhanced visibility and appeal while enabling them to integrate new international networks.
A strong commitment is therefore required on the part of the hosting organisations: right from the project proposal stage and in collaboration with the candidate researcher they must detail the means that will be provided, including the resources not covered by ANR funding. ANR will establish the grant agreement with the hosting organisation, not with the researcher.
The scheme is designed to bring benefit to the entire French higher education and research system. The substantial and lasting investment of the successful researchers should create impacts and competitiveness. This initiative supplements and reinforces the other funding instruments of the same type existing at national and European level.
Find out more:
