Atlas: Iran > France

The FMSH provides assistance in obtaining a visa to France, guidance towards identifying a local hosting research center, as well as logistical support for organizing the stay (help in booking accommodation, provision of workspace, letters for libraries, etc.).

This call is part of the Atlas Programme launched by the FMSH and its partners.

Financial details

Laureates will receive a stipend of €1 700 per month (paid at the beginning of each month's stay). This financial support is intended to cover living expenses such as transport, accommodation, living and insurance costs. Airfare will be covered by the Foundation.

Besides, the FMSH provides support for visa and logistical support to organise the stay (possibility to have a workspace, letter to access libraries,...).

Eligibility criteria

• Nationality/Residence: applicants must be Iranian nationals residing in Iran.
• Educational Degree: applicants must hold a master's or doctoral degree.
• Theme: applicants must be involved in research in humanities and social sciences.
• Language : applicants must be fluent in French or in English depending on the proposed project.

Researcher’s obligations

At the end of their stay, laureates will have to provide the FMSH with a report presenting the work done during their stay and the benefits for their research project. The report will be 30,000 characters (excluding spaces) in length.

Application procedure

The application consists of a form and a scientific dossier. It must be submitted via an online platform. This platform will be accessible from October 6, 2025. Completed applications must be uploaded to the online platform no later than February 6, 2026, 5pm (Paris time).

The application form and scientific dossier can be submitted in French or English.

Content of scientific dossier

All information will be strictly confidential and anonymized in the framework of expertise.

The research project:

The research proposal, from 10 000 characters to 20 000 characters (spaces and references included) is composed of:

• The problematic and the objectives of the research project.
• A bibliography.
• The detailed programme of the research stay (places and institutions to be visited, potential colleagues to meet, contacts).

Appendices:

• A Curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum)
• A copy of the passport
• A list of publications (5 maximum)
• A copy of the highest university degree obtained

How to apply?

1. Reach the online application form http://calls.msh-paris.fr and enter the "Researcher Workspace".
2. You have to be registered on the online platform in order to use it. If you haven’t created an account yet, you will be asked to.
3. Create your profile by filling all your personal information and then enter "create a new application".
4. Select "Programme Atlas incoming 2026" and then the specific call "FMSH- Iran > France".
5. Fill all the information tabs.
6. In the "Documents" final tab, you will need to upload your research proposal and the appendices into one single PDF document:

• Research proposal;
• Curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum);
• A copy of the passport;
• A list of the top five publications and/or research products with scientific and/or societal impact;
• A copy of the highest university degree obtained.

You can save your application and complete it later several times if you wish, until the closure of the call for applications. Once you have submitted your application, you will no longer have the possibility to amend it. Once submitted, you will receive an automatic email confirming the submission. Applications not submitted, incomplete application forms or applications that do not match the above description will not be taken into account.

For any information on the platform or in case of you meet difficulties to use it, please contact fadili@msh-paris.fr.

Evaluation process and criteria

A selection committee composed with members of FMSH and independent experts will analyse and proceed to final selection of applications regarding the following criteria:

• The quality of the scientific dossier and the methodology developed;
• The relevance of a research stay in France regarding the scientific project and the candidate curriculum;
• The ability to identify scientific contacts in France.

Candidates that have never benefited from the programme will be prioritized.