There are various sources of funding available for doctoral programs at the national level. From undergraduate to postdoctoral studies, the Campus France Directory lists the various financial aid programs offered by government agencies, local authorities, companies, foundations, and higher education institutions, and allows you to search for options tailored to your profile.
Visit the Campus France Directory for more information
Funding your doctorate at the University of Lille
The University of Lille has set up a mobility grant scheme called MOB-LIL-EX.
The aim of the scheme is to support the international mobility of students from the University of Lille and its partner universities, on the basis of the excellence of their projects. The link to the online application form can be obtained from the components (faculty/UFR/research unit).
Eligibility and conditions
- Cannot be combined with Erasmus+, AMI, MERMOZ, Collège Doctoral or Graduate Programmes.
- Only one grant per study cycle (Master's, Doctorate, Post-doctorate).
- Students already in Lille are not eligible for incoming mobility.
- Young researchers are not eligible for incoming mobility.
- Priority is given to projects involving structured partnerships (agreements, IRL, etc.).
- A reasoned opinion and ranking are mandatory.
- Incomplete or unranked applications will be rejected.
Specific criteria for doctoral mobility
- Incoming doctoral mobility
Priority: co-supervised doctoral students (agreement finalised or in progress).
Year of registration: funding for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years. Derogation possible for 4th year with reasoned opinion.
Please note: MOBLILEX does not fund the thesis itself, but the mobility required during the thesis.
- Outgoing doctoral mobility
Minimum duration: 3 months or more. Applications of less than 3 months must be submitted to the Doctoral College.
Year of registration: same criteria as for incoming mobility.
Special cases: applications eligible for Mermoz Recherche, but not selected, may apply for MOBLILEX under certain conditions.
Final rankings are made by the Doctoral Schools and determine the allocation of grants.
For more information, please consult the Moblilex brochure and the selection criteria.
You can also send an e-mail to moblilexarobaseuniv-lillepointfr or contact your department (faculty/university/research unit).
The Doctoral College of the University of Lille supports the international mobility of doctoral students via the PhD Mobility Program, an annual call for projects.
Eligibility criteria
- Doctoral student enrolled in one of the 7 graduate schools of the University of Lille, IMT Nord Europe, Université Gustave Eiffel or Centrale Lille Institut.
- Mobility between 1 January and 15 October 2027 (return no later than 15 October 2027).
- Minimum stay of 1 month, maximum stay of 6 months.
- Enrolment in the graduate school compulsory at the time of application.
Conditions
- Project justifying the relevance of the mobility to doctoral training.
- Mobility limited to travel from France to another country.
- Funding does not replace normal thesis funding.
- Detailed budget required (transport, accommodation, stay). Co-financing expected (personal self-financing is not taken into account).
- Can be combined with other grants.
Not eligible
- Travel to partner research units as part of a co-tutelle/codirection.
- Travel to congresses, conferences or summer schools.
- Doctoral students in their 5th year and beyond (2026-2027).
Find all the information here: Doctoral College page.
The Hauts-de-France Regional Council offers the MERMOZ grant to support research mobility abroad.
Eligibility criteria
- Destinations: all except DROM-COM, Monaco and Andorra. The destination must be different from the applicant's nationality.
- Host organisations: research laboratories attached to foreign higher education establishments, with or without bilateral agreements with the Hauts-de-France region.
- Compulsory agreement: three-way agreement between the sending institution, the host institution and the student.
- Must be a doctoral student registered at the University of Lille.
Not eligible
- Students in a gap year.
- Students receiving funding for professional training or a mobility grant from another region.
- Students on discontinued courses.
- Students who have already received a MERMOZ grant for another mobility scheme.
How to apply for the MERMOZ grant
- Step 1: Online simulation.
- Perform a simulation and download the document to attach to your application form.
- Step 2: Submitting your application
- Download the application form on this page: Gestion Bourse Mermoz. Complete it and have it signed by your research supervisor. Return the form to your Doctoral School for validation.
- Step 3: Enter your application online
- After receiving a favourable opinion from your Doctoral School, enter your application on the MERMOZ platform. The application must be entered before the end of the mobility period.
Please note: Applications with an unfavourable opinion or submitted after the mobility period will be rejected. The final processing of the application (verification and payment) is carried out by the Conseil Régional.
Every year, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers Eiffel scholarships to international students to finance a full thesis (36 months) or a 12 to 18-month period of mobility as a co-supervisor or co-director.
Eligibility criteria
Academic level: excellent record.
Age: born after 31/03/1992.
Nationality: foreign applicants only.
Master's studies in France: eligible but not priority.
Application procedure
Applications must be submitted by a Doctoral School. Contact your thesis director with the required documents. If your application is accepted, it will be submitted to Campus France by the University's International Relations for selection.
Required documents
The CURRICULUM VITAE, written in French or English (1 to 2 pages). It must specify:
- First and last name, civility, all nationalities, date of birth, place of birth, country of birth, permanent address (if you currently reside in France, you must also have your permanent address in your country of origin), a single reliable email address that will be used throughout the entire case instruction process;
- Higher education completed or in progress (start with the most recent): Name of institution, name of diploma(s) obtained with indication of specialty, start and end dates of your studies, grades - mention, ranking (rank/promotion size);
- Professional experience (name of the employer, sector of activity, function held, period of employment);
- Level of linguistic competence in the French language and the English language, if possible according to the common European framework of reference for languages, your language diploma (year obtained, level, score);
The PROFESSIONAL PROJECT, written in French or failing that in English (1 to 2 pages). The personal project must be written in a form that explains the choice of studies in France compared to previous studies and the future professional career. This presentation may possibly be supported by an opinion from people outside the establishment, belonging for example to a company.
A presentation of the THESIS PROJECT and research progress, written in French or English (1 to 5 pages). If possible, justify at least one communication in a conference (cite the references, attach an excerpt)
The global FUNDING PLAN of the thesis
The CO-SUPERVISION AGREEMENT or cotutelle signed by the French and foreign parties (in case of co-direction, attach a letter co-signed by both directors).
The PHOTOCOPY of the PASSPORT (identity page) or IDENTITY DOCUMENT.
The LANGUAGE CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA (if applicable).
Attention, all documents must be provided in a single document in PDF format.
For more information, see the dedicated page on Campus France.