Atlas : France > Andean Countries

This program supports research projects that align with the scientific priorities of IFEA, in collaboration with its researchers and partners. Interdisciplinary projects are particularly encouraged.

This call is part of the Atlas Short-Term Postdoctoral Mobility Program launched by FMSH and its partners.

Financial Support

Each laureate will receive a grant of 4,500 € per stay, intended to cover travel and living expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality / Residence: Applicants must be citizens of a European Union country and reside in France.
• Degree / Status: Applicants must have defended their PhD no earlier than 2020 and be affiliated with a research center or laboratory in France.
• Discipline: Applicants must submit an original research project in the humanities or social sciences involving fieldwork in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, or Peru (or several of these countries). Particular attention will be given to projects that align with IFEA’s research themes and that include exploratory fieldwork.
• Language: Proficiency in Spanish is required.

Obligations of Researchers Hosted by IFEA

Researchers hosted at IFEA must reside in one of the countries covered by the institute (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia). They are expected to participate actively in the scientific life of the research center, where they will be provided with a workspace.

At the end of their stay, researchers must submit to FMSH and IFEA a 10,000-character report (including spaces and notes) detailing the activities carried out during the stay and their contribution to the overall research project.

Please note that before departure, researchers should take the following precautions:

The mobility grant does not cover mandatory health insurance, which is essential in case of illness, hospitalization, or repatriation.

The grant does not include travel expenses between Europe and the host country.

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit an online application form and a scientific file (research project + appendices) via the online platform.
The platform will remain open until February 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Paris time).

All documents must be submitted in French.

Contents of the Scientific File

Research project :

The project (between 10,000 and 20,000 characters) should clearly outline the steps planned during the stay, the theoretical and methodological framework, and the institutional partners involved.

Appendices:

• A signed motivation letter, explaining the reasons for the stay in one of the IFEA countries, the planned collaborations with IFEA, and the relevant scientific partners in the region.
• A CV (maximum 2 pages) including a list of publications.
• A letter from the director of the research center or laboratory with which the applicant is affiliated in France.

How to Apply 

1. Go to the platform http://calls.msh-paris.fr and enter the “Researcher Workspace.”

2. Log in if you already have an account, or create one if necessary.

3. Complete your profile and click on “Create a new application.”

4. Select “Programme Atlas outgoing 2026”, then choose the specific call “FMSH–IFEA Andes: France > Andean Countries.”

5. Complete all sections of the form.

6. In the “Documents” tab, upload a single PDF file containing:

• Research project
• Signed motivation letter
• CV (max. 2 pages) and list of publications
• Letter from the research center/laboratory director

7. You may save your application and return to it later, or submit it definitively.
Once submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email.Important: Unsaved or unsubmitted applications will not be reviewed. Incomplete applications or those not matching the above description will not be considered.

For any technical questions or platform issues, please contact fadili@msh-paris.fr.

Selection Criteria and Process

A selection committee composed of members from FMSH, IFEA, and external experts will review and select applications based on the following criteria:

• The quality of the scientific proposal and the soundness of the methodology
• The relevance of conducting research in an Andean country in light of the applicant’s project and background
• The ability to identify relevant local scientific contacts

Priority will be given to researchers who have not previously benefited from this program.

Results will be communicated to applicants by email in late February / early March 2026.