How to host a scientist or an artist in exile?

You are:

  • a higher education and research institution under the aegis of the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research
  • an EESPIG-designated private higher education institution
  • an institution or a structure supported or under the aegis of the French Ministry of Culture.

Your hosting project can be co-funded by the PAUSE programme.

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Who is eligible for the programme?

Foreign researchers and artists from all geographical areas (outside the European Union) and disciplines are eligible if they meet all of the following criteria :


  • provide evidence of doctoral student (with a thesis in progress and interrupted due to an urgent situation), researcher, research fellow, artist or artist-teacher status in their country of origin;
  • be in an urgent situation due to the security situation in their country of origin and/or persecution or fear of persecution on account of their ethnicity, religion, political convictions, opinions, sexual orientation, or the content of their research and/or teaching. Economic emergency does not fall within the scope of the programme;
  • be forced to go into exile from their 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.

If you have identified an applicant who does not meet all of these criteria or who has special circumstances, please contact us.

How can we make contact with a scientist or artist in exile?

If your institution is willing to host a scientist or an artist at risk but you are not in contact with a potential applicant, we can put you in touch with applicants. If your institution would like to volunteer to be a host, please contact the PAUSE team directly.

How much funding is available?

The co-funding allocated depends on:

  • the status and experience of the applicant
  • the existence of a social support project by the host institution

Funding levels:

  • up to 20,000 euros for doctoral students and research assistants (category 1).
  • up to 40,000 euros for postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, and research engineers (category 2).
  • up to 60,000 euros for university professors and research supervisors (category 3).

These funding categories do not apply to artist applications. The budget requested by the institution will be reviewed on the basis of the applicant's experience and the hosting project.


The amount allocated is limited to 60% of the total budget submitted by the institution.

How long does co-funding last?

Your project will be funded for a maximum of one year upon the start date of the contract. We advise you to present a hosting project for a year, or for a minimum of at least 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 the research and results.


Funding may be available for a third year for doctoral students enrolled for the first year of their doctorate when their first application was submitted. The 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 project, the beneficiary and host institution must submit a comprehensive review report to the PAUSE programme.

Next call for applications:

Opening of the call for applications : late December 2024

Deadline for applications : January 30, 2025