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CNRS Postdoctoral Fellowship
by Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) · CNRS-affiliated laboratories and partner universities throughout France
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded 🟩 Active 🎓 Postdoctoral 🌍 France 📌 Research Fellowship / Employment Contract
75%
Match
50%
Win Rate
9/10
Effort
10/10
Reward
60-80 hrs
Time Needed
Award
Approximately €2,600 to €4,000 gross per month depending on experience and specific project funding
Duration
12 to 36 months
Deadline
Rolling / Varies by specific laboratory and project call
Level
Postdoctoral
Acceptance
Highly Competitive
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) offers CNRS Postdoctoral Fellowship, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to France. The award covers Recipient receives a formal French work contract (CDD) with a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, and access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure. and is open to postdoctoral students studying all academic fields including biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, humanities, engineering, and social sciences. The scholarship runs for 12 to 36 months. Eligibility is generally based on open to international and domestic researchers who have recently completed their PhD. Candidates must demonstrate high research potential and align with the host lab's objectives. The application deadline is Rolling / Varies by specific laboratory and project call, with an acceptance rate of approximately Highly Competitive. Competition for this scholarship varies year to year, so early preparation of required documents is recommended.

✨ Should I Apply for CNRS Postdoctoral Fellowship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Varies significantly by scientific department and lab funding
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately €2,600 to €4,000 gross per month depending on experience and specific project funding
Duration
12 to 36 months
📅
Deadline
Rolling / Varies by specific laboratory and project call
🔬
Fields
All academic fields including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology, Humanities, Engineering, and Social Sciences
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies (Several hundred positions are advertised annually)
🌏
Study Country
France
🏛️
Provider
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
📊
Acceptance
Highly Competitive
The CNRS Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the most prestigious research opportunities in Europe. It allows early-career researchers to conduct independent research within the French national research ecosystem. The positions are provided as fixed-term employment contracts (CDD), offering full employee benefits and integration into world-class scientific teams.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to international and domestic researchers who have recently completed their PhD. Candidates must demonstrate high research potential and align with the host lab's objectives.
🏛️ Host University
CNRS-affiliated laboratories and partner universities throughout France
🤝 Sponsor
French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
🔬 Fields of Study
All academic fields including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology, Humanities, Engineering, and Social Sciences
✨ Key Benefits
Recipient receives a formal French work contract (CDD) with a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, and access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure.
🎯 Target Students
PhD holders / Early Career Researchers
🏷 Tags
Postdoc France CNRS Research Europe STEM Humanities Fellowship
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Check official website
Applicants Last Year
Varies by year
Winners
Highly Competitive
Acceptance Rate
Varies significantly by scientific department and lab funding
Competition Level
Win Probability
50%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Not applicable (Postdoctoral level)
Living Stipend
Provided as a monthly salary (approx. €2,100 to €3,200 net)
Total Award
Approximately €2,600 to €4,000 gross per month depending on experience and specific project funding
✈️ Travel: Varies by project; usually includes reimbursement for relocation and research-related travel 🏠 Accommodation: No, but researchers are eligible for French housing subsidies (APL) 💊 Health Insurance: Yes, full French social security and public health insurance coverage included 🔄 Renewable: Sometimes 💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Not applicable (Postdoctoral level)
🏠 Living Stipend
Provided as a monthly salary (approx. €2,100 to €3,200 net)
🏡 Accommodation
No, but researchers are eligible for French housing subsidies (APL)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Varies by project; usually includes reimbursement for relocation and research-related travel
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, full French social security and public health insurance coverage included
🎁 Other Benefits
Paid annual leave (approx. 45 days), access to staff canteens, retirement contributions, and subsidized public transport
🔄 Renewable
Sometimes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Subject to the availability of funding within the host research unit and project performance
Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must hold a PhD degree or equivalent; open to all nationalities
🎓 Academic Level
Postdoctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
Check official website (Focus is on research output rather than GPA)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory for most STEM positions
💼 Work Experience
Must have a PhD; previous research experience during doctoral studies is essential
🏆 Leadership
Demonstrated ability to lead specific research tasks and contribute to team-based projects
💰 Financial Need
No
🎯 Target Students
PhD holders / Early Career Researchers
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Research Statement/Proposal)
Rec Letters
Yes (Usually 2-3 references)
Interview
Yes
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Passport / National ID
  • Yes (Usually 2-3 references) Recommendation Letters
  • CV / Resume
  • Personal Statement / Essays
  • Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory for most STEM positions
  • Interview: Yes
  • Min GPA: Check official website (Focus is on research output rather than GPA)
📋 Application Process
Identify a specific CNRS laboratory (UMR) and contact the Principal Investigator (PI) before applying to discuss research alignment.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your CV highlights publications in peer-reviewed journals and any technical expertise relevant to the equipment used in the target lab.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Year-round (Multiple calls published monthly)
⏰ Deadline
Rolling / Varies by specific laboratory and project call
🎤 Interview
Yes
🎓 Study Starts
Flexible, based on the specific contract agreement
Year-round (Multiple calls published monthly)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Rolling / Varies by specific laboratory and project call
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Flexible, based on the specific contract agreement
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, quality and feasibility of the research project, and relevance to the laboratory’s strategic goals
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Frequently Asked Questions
Open to international and domestic researchers who have recently completed their PhD. Candidates must demonstrate high research potential and align with the host lab's objectives.
This scholarship covers: Recipient receives a formal French work contract (CDD) with a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, and access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Rolling / Varies by specific laboratory and project call. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Varies significantly by scientific department and lab funding. Acceptance rate: Highly Competitive. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Sometimes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory for most STEM positions, Yes (Usually 2-3 references) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.
🌎 Official Information
🌎
Official Website
Visit →
✍️
Apply Now
Apply →
📧
Contact
Check individual project postings on the CNRS job portal for recruiter contact info
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
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