The France Excellence Research Norway grant is aimed at researchers and PhD students established in a Norwegian institution (e.g. university, laboratory, research institute, etc.) who wish to carry out research and/or have access to scientific equipment in France. It allows them to spend stays of two weeks to three months in a French institution.
The thematic priorities of the program are those connected to the strategic partnership between Norway and France signed by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and President Emmanuel Macron on 23rd June 2025. Other fields are also eligible for application, including projects in the humanities and social sciences, and those related to culture.
Since this is the first year the program is being offered, the French Institute in Norway provides applicants with two options:
A 2026 mobility:
- This call for applications is open until September 6, 2026, at 23:59.
- The mobility will take place between October 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.
- Laureates will be announced on September 10, 2026.
A 2027 mobility:
- This call for applications is open until September 20, 2026, at 23:59.
- The mobility will take place between January 15, 2027, and December 15, 2027.
- Laureates will be announced on December 4, 2026.
Objectives
The French Institute in Norway is pleased to announce the France Excellence Research Programme 2027, designed for Norwegian researchers and PhD students who wish to conduct research or access scientific equipment in France. This programme aims to foster scientific collaboration between France and Norway, with a focus on the strategic priorities of the France-Norway partnership, including:
- Sustainable development and green transition
- Digital innovation and technology
- Health and life sciences
- Energy, climate and biodiversity research
- Humanities and social sciences
- Interdisciplinary research
Eligibility
- PhD students, early career researchers and senior researchers affiliated with a Norwegian institution (university, research institute, public or private sector).
- French nationals are not eligible.
- All scientific fields are welcome, but projects aligned with the France-Norway Strategic Partnership will be prioritized.
Duration of stay
- Minimum: 2 weeks
- Maximum: 12 weeks
A mobility started in 2026 can be continued in 2027 if the time windows is to short to achieve the desired mobility in 2026 upon explicit request.
Grant amounts
- Young Researchers: 1704€/month
- PhD students on short research visits (not registered in France)
- Postdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD less than 5 years before the start of the stay
- Senior Researchers: 2055€/month
- Researchers who completed their PhD more than 5 years before the start of the stay
- Access to preferential accommodation rates through Campus France.
Selection criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Scientific quality of the project
- Relevance to French-Norwegian cooperation
- Applicant’s scientific record
- Priority will be given to projects that have not previously received support from the French Institute in Norway
- At least one grant will be awarded to a project in the humanities or social sciences.
Timeline
Application process
Applicants must submit an online application including the following documents:
- Scientific CV (max. 2 pages, PDF)
- A single PDF document containing:
- A presentation of the global research project (max. 2 pages)
- Objectives of the stay and its relevance to French-Norwegian cooperation
- A provisional programme (if applicable)
- Invitation letter from the French host institution (university, research lab, etc.), specifying the provisional dates of the stay
- Copy of passport or European ID card
All applications must be submitted in English.
Post-mobility requirements
Grant recipients must submit a one-page report summarizing their research stay, using a template provided by the French Institute in Norway.
Contact
For inquiries: science@france.no
