Research grants
Fyssen Foundation research grants aim to facilitate the execution of research projects that enhance understanding of the mechanisms of behaviour and cognition in living beings, as well as their ontogenetic and phylogenetic development. These projects may originate from the disciplines of neuroscience, ethology, psychology, anthropology, ethnology, palaeontology, and archaeology.
The specific goals of the grants include:
- Enabling young researchers to establish and lead a research group within an academic institution in France.
- Developing autonomous and innovative research themes.
- Promoting mobility and attracting high-level early career group leaders to foster a dynamic and progressive research environment.
The Fyssen research grant is intended for young researchers of any nationality who have completed their doctoral thesis more than 3 years and less than 10 years ago (exceptions may be granted for maternity/paternity/long-term illness leave) *.
Already employed, they will form a research team around them to carry out a collective scientific project within a host structure in France whose activity aligns with the objectives of the Foundation. Researchers may develop their project in a laboratory different from the one where they obtained their thesis or from the one where they currently work.
Recipients of ATIP-Avenir or ANR Young Researchers funding are eligible for the Fyssen grant. **
The most innovative projects will be selected, based on the Foundation’s annual budget, at a rate of 3 to 5 projects per year.
* The 10 years are counted from the date on which the doctorate is awarded to the date on which funding begins. For maternity leave, the actual time elapsed since the doctorate was awarded will be reduced by one year for each child. For paternity leave(s), the elapsed time will be reduced by the leave taken for each child born. For long-term sick leave, the elapsed time will be reduced by the duration of the period of absence.
** Recipients of support for young researchers such as ERC starting grant to develop an independent project are not eligible. Candidates who have applied for one of these types of funding and do not have the results at the time of submitting their Fyssen application are required to indicate this in their application and to inform the Fyssen Foundation as soon as possible in the event of a positive result from the ANR or ERC (in this case, Fyssen funding will be interrupted at the start date of the other funding).
The research grant amount is up to €100,000.
The research grant is intended to cover the following expenses:
- Purchase of equipment and small materials useful for research work;
- Consumables required for conducting research work;
- Salaries (except for the principal investigator);
- Specialized services necessary for the research work;
- Travel expenses: for conducting the research project or for attending scientific conferences and symposiums;
- Publication costs.
The management fees of the supervising organization will not be covered by the Fyssen Foundation research grant.
The Fyssen research grant is awarded for a period of one year (12 months) and is non-renewable.
- Article Submission at the end of the grant :
The funding agreement for the grant must include the following statement: “The recipient commits to submitting an article to the Editorial Committee for possible publication in the Annals of the Foundation.”
The two best articles submitted to the Editorial Committee will be awarded a prize of €1,000 each.
* The 10 years are counted from the date on which the doctorate is awarded to the date on which funding begins. For maternity leave, the actual time elapsed since the doctorate was awarded will be reduced by one year for each child. For paternity leave(s), the elapsed time will be reduced by the leave taken for each child born. For long-term sick leave, the elapsed time will be reduced by the duration of the period of absence.
** Recipients of support for young researchers such as ERC starting grant to develop an independent project are not eligible. Candidates who have applied for one of these types of funding and do not have the results at the time of submitting their Fyssen application are required to indicate this in their application and to inform the Fyssen Foundation as soon as possible in the event of a positive result from the ANR or ERC (in this case, Fyssen funding will be interrupted at the start date of the other funding).
September, 2, 2025: online application forms
October, 14, 2025 12 am French time ( MIDDAY) (Gmt +1) Closing application
December 2025 : results sent by email
Download and print the poster
Conditions
The application form is to be completed ONLINE.
The application folder should include the following documents in PDF :
The Research Grant application form
An invitation letter from the host laboratory specifying the material conditions under which the researcher can carry out their research project
The letters of two scientific personalities able to make an appreciation on the program and the research works of the candidate and who do not belong to the Host laboratory
The applicant’s CV and the publications list
The description of the research project (5, 8 pages maximum)
The detailed description of the budget forecasts
The list of the other financial supports
The list of the people who will join the research team for the project
The abstract (150 words) of the research project as well as a keywords list in French AND in English
The copy of the authorization request sent to the Ethic Committee* if necessary
The copy of the contract of employment
Opening session on the web site: September, 2, 2025
The Fyssen foundation attaches great importance to the scientific integrity of the research it funds. It is essential that scientific research is conducted in accordance with general guiding principles of scientific integrity — honesty, diligence, transparency, reproducibility, independence, responsibility — as well in accordance with any more specific guiding principles used by the institutions and stakeholders with whom the applicant collaborates.
When designing your research project, have you applied the code of conduct and ethic regulations of your institution as well as the ones of institutions and stakeholders with whom you will work?
Modus Operandi
1
To apply the candidate must fill the online form, choose his own log in and submit his file to the Foundation.
2
Once the candidate is validated by the Foundation, he will receive an email within 48h enclosing his password.
3
The application form will be available, please use the username and password provided by the email to login.
4
The candidate has to fill all the request informations in the forms, and download all required documents . This step can be done in several times.
5
As soon as the candidate considers his folder as complete then he has to validate it in clicking on « folder complete to be submitted »
6
The candidate has to send his folder in one copy strictly as the original on line.
7
Closing date : October, 14, 2024 at midday
8
The online application and the receipt of your folder by post will be confirmed by email.
9
The candidate application will be submitted to the Scientific Committee and he will receive the result by email by the end of December 2024.
FAQ
The applicant has to create its own login.
No, there is none.
The post doctoral project may start on September 1st, 2025 the earliest, and on very beginning of January 2026 the latest.
Yes, the project may either be drafted in french or in english, as the applicant’s convenience.
Yes, he may add one or several recommendation’s letters .
Yes , he has to provide two invitation letters mentioning the date and duration of its stay.
They should be drafted either in french or in english. In case of another language it should be posted with a translation in French or in English.
Any personality who wishes to transmit a letter (dated and signed) may send it either by post, or by email (to secretariat@fondationfyssen.fr). In any case all documents should be received BEFORE the deadline of the call.
You will have to add a letter from your thesis director certifying your viva will be achieved before December 31st, 2025.
You may add or delete any document before the final validation of your folder.
Once clicked, you will not have access to your folder anymore and shall have to contact the Foundation in case of a mistake and send us the document to be replaced.