Through this call, Sorbonne University, within the framework of the 4EU+ European University Alliance, offers doctoral contracts in cotutelle in order to strengthen long-term research collaborations between partner universities of the Alliance.
This scheme is designed to support high-quality, jointly supervised doctoral research projects, bringing together complementary expertise, infrastructures and research environments across Europe. It offers an attractive framework for doctoral candidates, while providing supervisors with a structured and supported mechanism to develop durable international cooperation and co-supervision practices.
The 4EU+ Alliance promotes an innovative, transdisciplinary and challenge-driven approach to research and education. In this context, four thematic transdisciplinary areas, so-called Flagships have been defined. These Flagships are the pillars of the 4EU+ Alliance and act as guides in the implementation of its vision and common approach to education, research and service to society by focusing on four major societal challenges. These 4 Flagships are:
Flagship 1 : Urban Health and Demographic Change
Flagship 2 : Multilingualism, pluralities, citizenship
Flagship 3 : Digitisation - Modelling - Transformation
Flagship 4 : Environmental Transitions
Projects aligned with these Flagships are particularly encouraged. However, the call remains open to all disciplinary fields, provided that the scientific added value of the cotutelle and the collaboration within 4EU+ is clearly demonstrated.
For the year 2026, Sorbonne University will fund four (4) full doctoral contracts (36 months). Each contract includes:
Full doctoral funding for the duration of the PhD;
Financial support for a
one-year mobility period (a dedicated mobility supplement) at the co-supervisor’s home university within the 4EU+ Alliance to facilitate the doctoral student’s stay abroad.
Specific arrangements will be made with partner universities offering four-year doctoral programmes.
Each doctoral project will be jointly supervised by:
One PhD Director at Sorbonne University (funding institution);
One Co-director from a 4EU+ partner university.
During the doctoral contract, the PhD candidate must complete a mandatory one-year research mobility at the co-director’s institution.
This call represents a highly attractive opportunity for doctoral candidates, who benefit from:
Dual supervision in two leading European research environments;
An internationally recognised cotutelle framework;
At the successful completion of the doctoral thesis, the PhD candidate will be awarded two doctoral diplomas, one from Sorbonne University and one from the partner 4EU+ university, in accordance with the cotutelle agreement and national regulations.
Funded long-term mobility embedded in the doctoral trajectory;
Enhanced employability and academic visibility through international research training.
For supervisors, the scheme offers:
A structured and supported framework for international co-supervision;
Strengthened institutional partnerships within 4EU+;
Opportunities to co-develop research agendas and doctoral training practices at European level.
Eligibility criteria and selection procedures follow the internal rules of the funding institution, in accordance with national regulations.
At Sorbonne University, Doctoral Schools verify:
Supervision capacity;
Quality of the research environment;
Compliance with institutional doctoral regulations.
All laboratories associated with Doctoral Schools co-accredited by Sorbonne University are eligible to participate.
Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria: Quality, novelty and scientific ambition of the project. The added value of interdisciplinary projects will be taken into consideration. The feasibility of the project will also be assessed.
The call is open at Sorbonne University.
After jointly defining a research topic with the future co-director, PhD Directors submit the project via the dedicated platform: Appel à projets 2026 - 4EU+
Submission deadline: 20 February 2026
For projects in Social Sciences and Humanities, Directors must prepare the research proposal and submit it to the future co-director for validation prior to submission.
At Sorbonne University, the call is opened in two stages:
Stage 1 – Project-based selection
Evaluation of candidates’ files, including:
Detailed CV;
Master’s degree transcripts;
One or more letters of recommendation (including at least one from a co-supervisor, following the call’s procedures).
Stage 2 – Interviews
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview.
The evaluation focuses on the coherence between the candidate’s profile and the research project. Selection is carried out by:
A jury within the relevant Doctoral School, or
A dedicated committee composed of experts from the partner universities, depending on the project configuration.
The jury includes, ex officio, the head of the doctoral programme and representatives of the concerned Doctoral Schools. Candidates follow the submission and registration procedures of the Director’s home institution.
All publications, communications and presentations related to the project must explicitly acknowledge the support of Sorbonne University and the 4EU+ Alliance.
A brief mid-term scientific report will be requested to monitor progress and mobility implementation.
Phase 1 – Call for projects (submissions from the directors)
12 January – 20 February 2026: Submission of projects (LimeSurvey)
27 February 2026: Projects shared with Doctoral Schools (DropSU)
11 & 16 March 2026: Doctoral Schools’ final opinions transmitted to the Doctoral College
25 March 2026: Selected projects published on the Doctoral College website
Phase 2 – Call for candidates (submissions from the candidates)
25 March – 24 April 2026: Submission of applications
06 May 2026: Candidate files shared with programme coordinators
06–26 May 2026: Interviews and selection by programme juries
28 May 2026: Publication of results