How can I be hosted by an institution in France?

Are you a scientist or an artist at risk due to the security situation or persecution you are experiencing in your country?


The PAUSE program can allow you to continue your work by co-funding your stay in a higher education or research institution in France.

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What types of institutions can host me?
  • higher education and research institutions under the aegis of the French ministry for Higher Education and Research;
  • EESPIG-designated private higher education institutions;
  • institutions or structures under the aegis of the French Ministry of Culture.
Am I eligible for the PAUSE program?

You are eligible for the PAUSE program whatever your geographical origin (outside the European Union) or discipline if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • you can prove doctoral student (with a thesis in progress and interrupted due to an urgent situation), researcher, teacher-researcher or artist-teacher status in your country of origin;
  • you are in a crisis situation due to the security situation in your country of origin and/or persecution or fear of persecution due to your ethnicity, religion, political convictions, opinions, sexual orientation, or the content of your research and/or teaching. Economic emergency does not fall within the scope of the program;
  • you are being forced to go into exile from your country of origin, or have been in France for less than three years.

Applicants must not be older than retirement age; where applicable, institutions must ensure that they are able to sign a contract covering the period of the candidate's hosting.

How do I receive support from the PAUSE program?

To receive support from the PAUSE program, you must first identify a higher education or research institution which can potentially host you.

This institution will prepare and submit your application to the PAUSE program. This involves submitting a co-funding application in response to one of the three annual calls for applications.

Calendar of forthcoming sessions:

If there is an immediate threat to your life or freedom, the host institution can contact the PAUSE team to invoke the emergency procedure. Your application will be considered separately from the three annual calls for applicants.
How long does support from the PAUSE program last?
The PAUSE program can help you co-fund your hosting and support for a maximum period of one year, or for a minimum of six months.

Funding can be renewed once. Your institution will be required to submit an application for renewal. It will be evaluated on the basis of the progress of your research and results.

Funding for a third year may be available for doctoral students enrolled for the first year of their doctorate when their first application was submitted. Their application will be evaluated on the basis of the progress of their research and the conclusions of the thesis supervisory committee at the host institution.

At the end of the hosting period, both you and your host institution must submit a review form to the PAUSE program.

How do I find a host institution?

If you already have contacts in the French academic or artistic community:

We recommend that you directly contact institutions that meet the PAUSE program eligibility criteria to inform them of your emergency situation.

If you do not have any contacts in the French academic or artistic community:

For scientists:
The PAUSE program can provide guidance in searching for a host institution. See "How can I get help finding a host institution?" below to learn more.

For artists:
The Atelier des artistes en exil, a partner of the PAUSE program, can accompany you in your project in France. You can contact them at contact@aa-e.org.

How can I get help with finding a host institution?

How can I access this help?

The application form (in French, in English) filled in online must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

1 - Detailed curriculum vitae including the list of your publications

2 - Presentation of your research project

3 - Document justifying your status as a researcher or teacher-researcher

4 - Personal testimony on your situation of danger

5 – Sworn statement completed and signed. Download the sworn statement

6 - Copy of passport and/or residence permit

  • The PAUSE program verifies your eligibility based on your status and the urgency of your situation.
  • If you are eligible, the PAUSE team will provide you with guidance in identifying a suitable institution and will add your profile to an anonymous list of eligible applications, which is sent to institutions wishing to host researchers in exile.

What form does this help take?

The PAUSE program shares your profile with its network of partner institutions willing to host a researcher at risk. The program guides you in identifying laboratories working in your field of expertise.

Your eligibility for the PAUSE program does not guarantee that an institution will apply on your behalf. Therefore, with the PAUSE team's support, you will have to approach institutions whose research areas correspond to yours and who might be interested in your profile. It implies a real commitment on your end in the research process.

What happens once I have identified an institution?

The institution must submit an application in response to one of three annual calls for applications, or via the emergency procedure if required in your situation.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are evaluated by the PAUSE program Scientific Committee according to the following criteria:

  • the level of urgency of the risk experienced by the applicant;
  • the quality of the scientific or artistic project;
  • the social and professional support system.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.


The PAUSE program Executive Committee validates applications on the basis of referrals from the Scientific Committee.
Its decisions are final.

How are the results announced?

You will be informed of the PAUSE program’s decision directly by the host institution.

Is the confidentiality of my data and information relating to my circumstances guaranteed?

Given the sensitive nature of your data and communications with your host institution and the PAUSE program, the following measures have been put in place:

  • Supporting documents submitted with the application which could be used to identify you (passport, residence permit) will be neutralized by the institution by adding the word “specimen” as a watermark or manually. This prevents identity theft if these documents are intercepted online.
  • Applications by email will not be accepted. Institutions can only submit applications via the secure application platform.
  • If you have particular confidentiality constraints, please contact the PAUSE team which will set up a secure email communication procedure.

Next call for applications:

Opening of the call for applications : March 4, 2024

Deadline for applications : April 4, 2024