Frequently asked questions
(FAQ) section
Below, you will find answers to the FAQ. If you have any other questions not covered in this section, please feel free to contact us.
How many PhD grant will be awarded in the first and second call?
For October 2025 (call 1), 16 PhD grants will be awarded among the 33 research projects offered.
Similarly for October 2026 (call 2), 14 PhD grants will be awarded.
Is it possible to apply for more than one thesis project in the LIGHTinPARIS program?
Yes, PhD candidates can only apply to maximum 3 PhD projects, among those listed in the “Thesis subjects” page of the programme’s website. However, only one of these applications has to be presented by the candidate at the interview.
Do I have to speak French to apply?
No, only a good command of English (B1 CEFR level) is required. Courses in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) will be offered, to help the integration and cross-disciplinary skills of doctoral students. Research activity can be done in English.
Where can I find practical information about living and working in France?
To discover the Université Paris-Saclay environment, we invite you to check out the Université Paris-Saclay Online Welccome Desk. To prepare for your arrival, you will be monitored by the Programme’s Project Manager and the services of the Université Paris-Saclay GATE for your administrative and practical procedures.
To whom may I ask questions before applying?
You can direct any questions to the project management team using the contact form on the LIGHTinPARIS webpage or by reaching out directly to the Project Manager at projectmanager@lightinparis.eu
In addition, you should contact the advisor (thesis director) for your chosen research subject.
Who will deliver the employment contract of the LIGHTinPARIS PhD students?
Doctoral students admitted on the LIGHTinPARIS programme will have an employment contract from one of the implementing partners (Université Paris-Saclay, ONERA, PASQAL, Abbelight, Quandela, Thales).
Are there partners in the LIGHTinPARIS programme?
Yes, LIGHTinPARIS has academic and non-academic partners. Some will provide trainings for all the PhD students of the programme; others will participate in events (such as Residential workshop) and/or will co-fund specific PhD projects. All of them will contribute to a LIGHTinPARIS ecosystem capable of boosting the careers of PhD students.
Can I apply if I obtain my master’s degree in 2025?
Yes, students who will have their master’s degree before October 2025 will be able to apply to call 1 and start their thesis. They will have to provide a certificate of achievement at the time of recruitment.
Are there any prerequisites related to age or nationality?
There is no age or nationality requirement for applicants. Nevertheless, the “MSCA-COFUND mobility rule” must be respected as stated below:
“Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
For international European research organisations, international organisations, or entities created under Union law, recruited researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment in the same appointing organisation. Note that the mobility rule applies to the (first) beneficiary where the researcher is recruited.”
This rule resolutely reinforces the European dimension of LIGHTinPARIS.
To give a concrete example, an international student who did a M1 (first year of Master) and M2 (second year of Master) in France is not eligible, but a French student who did a M1 and M2 abroad before applying is eligible.
Thus any candidate who has lived in France for less than 12 months in the three years immediately before the contract starting date, which in case of the Call 1 is October 1, 2025, or November 1, 2025 is eligible.
Will there be trainings shared by all the PhD students of the LIGHTinPARIS programme?
Yes, PhD students will be invited to participate in the everyday life of LIGHTinPARIS and to receive shared trainings (for example in Ethics and Integrity, Open science and Sustainable research and development). They will attend a Residential LIGHTinPARIS five days workshop on i) interdisciplinary communication, ii) detection of innovation potential, iii) inclusive practices and behaviours.
What are the evaluation and selection criteria ?
The evaluation and selection criteria for PhD applicants in the LIGHTinPARIS program are divided into two steps.
In step 1, the Selection Committee evaluates applications based on the candidate’s education, background, experience, and motivation, using the criteria outlined in Table 2 of the LIGHTinPARIS Guide for Applicants.
In step 2, the Interview Committee assesses candidates through interviews, focusing on their scientific maturity, presentation quality, and independent thinking using the criteria outlined in Table 3. This step determines the recipients of the PhD grants.
Full details are provided in section 4 of the LIGHTinPARIS Guide for Applicants.
How does the recruitment process work?
In Call 1, PhD candidates can apply from January 15, 2025. Before submitting the application on ADUM they should contact the advisor for selected thesis subject. After submitting their application, they will receive an automatic acknowledgment email.
Before Step 1 begins, all applications will be examined for eligibility. Candidates will receive confirmation of their eligibility before the evaluation of applications by the external experts.
Step 1, focused on evaluating written applications, will run from March 28 to April 30, 2025 ( about 5 weeks).
Step 2, consisting of remote (on-line) interviews (through videoconference), will run from May 19 to May 30, 2025 (about 2 weeks).
Candidates invited for interviews will be notified on May 2, 2025 and have one week to respond (by May 9, 2025, at noon of Paris time). They will also receive feedback based on selection criteria, and unsuccessful candidates will be informed of their ranking on the waiting list.
The final list of successful candidates will be published on the program website on June 4, 2025, and they must accept the position within one week of publication (by June 11, 2025, at noon of Paris time).