DEA Programme

Each year, the programme supports up to 30 projects, with a selection rate of approximately 30%.

Particular consideration is given to applications from countries where funding opportunities for the humanities and social sciences are limited, as well as to scholars for whom a stay in France would provide a significant opportunity to foster scientific collaboration.

Established in 1975 at the initiative of Fernand Braudel, the “Directeurs d’Études Associés” (DEA) Programme is the oldest international mobility scheme of the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme.

Financial details

A monthly allowance of €3 400 is awarded for transport and living expenses. In addition, FMSH provides support for visa applications.

Eligibility Criteria

• The program is exclusively intended for full university professors or equivalent in higher education and research institutions.
• Candidates must be under 65 years of age at the time of their stay.
• Priority is given to projects requiring fieldwork (surveys, work in libraries or archives, etc.) in mainland France and the French Overseas Territories
• Any application for the exclusive purpose of writing an article or a book will not be considered.

Evaluation process and criteria

The projects will be evaluated with regard to the following elements:

• The scientific quality of the project and the method developed
• The need to come to France to work on the planned project
• The feasibility of the project during the 4/6 weeks stay in France

Once evaluated, the applications will be selected by a commission composed of members of the Executive Board and scientific directors of the FMSH and specialists from outside the foundation.

The results will be communicated to applicants at the end of March 2026.

Contents of the application and Calendar

1. A curriculum vitae of 4 pages maximum (including date of birth)
2. A list of scientific publications
3. A 5-6 pages research project and a bibliography
4. A detailed work plan (with proposed dates of stay in France) including the contacts to be made in France, archives and libraries to be consulted, stages of the survey to be undertaken, etc.
5. A letter of support from a research laboratory in France confirming the appplicant has been offered a place during his/her stay.
6. Provide a single pdf file, with documents in the following order:

• curriculum vitae ;
• list of scientific publications ;
• research project and bibliography ;
• work plan ;
• letter of support.

Applications not submitted, incomplete applications or applications that do not match the above description will not be considered.

Applicants are invited to submit their application, in French or English, online no later than November 28 2025, 5:00pm (Paris time) : http://programmes.msh-paris.fr.

On the platform, in your online application for the DEA program, please select the year of the call: "2026" then session of the call: "sept-nov 2025".

For any information about the platform, or if you encounter any difficulties using it, please contact fadili@msh-paris.fr.