The Smart Loire Valley Programme (LE Stadium Researcher Fellowship) 2026 has officially opened its call for applications, inviting experienced international researchers to conduct high-impact research in France’s prestigious Centre-Val de Loire region. Hosted by the renowned LE STUDIUM Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies, this competitive programme is not just a research stay—it is a fully supported international mobility opportunity designed to connect global scientific talent with top French laboratories, universities, and research centres.
For researchers seeking funded time in Europe with housing, travel support, administrative assistance, and deep integration into an international research ecosystem, the Smart Loire Valley Programme 2026 stands out as one of the most attractive research mobility opportunities currently open.
Why LE Stadium Researcher Fellowship Is Turning Heads Worldwide?
The Smart Loire Valley Programme 2026 is built to remove the usual barriers faced by international researchers. Instead of worrying about accommodation, relocation logistics, or integration, selected fellows are fully supported so they can focus entirely on research, collaboration, and career growth.
With multiple award tracks covering short stays, long stays, professorship residencies, and integration fellowships leading toward permanent academic positions, the programme offers a rare blend of flexibility, prestige, and long-term impact—without restricting applicants to specific research disciplines.
What You Gain by Winning the Smart Loire Valley Programme?
Winning the Smart Loire Valley Programme 2026 means entering a fully funded research environment in France where academic excellence meets real-world support. Awardees receive comprehensive benefits designed to make their stay productive, comfortable, and professionally transformative.
Successful applicants receive covered travel costs, fully furnished accommodation suitable for families, and complete relocation and administrative support including visas, banking, housing, insurance, and schooling for children. Fellows are fully integrated into the LE STUDIUM international scientific community, with access to high-level conferences, seminars, workshops, networking events, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
In addition, selected researchers gain opportunities to organize international scientific conferences, participate in professional training sessions, attend French language classes, and expand their global research networks. For integration fellowship recipients, the programme goes further by actively supporting applications for permanent academic or research positions within the host institution in France.
Eligibility Requirements
This programme targets experienced international researchers ready to collaborate with French research institutions. In simple terms, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a national or long-term resident of a country outside France
- Must not have lived in France for more than 12 months during the three years before the application deadline
- Must hold a doctoral degree
- Must have an active work contract with a foreign university or research institution
- Must secure acceptance from a host laboratory or research centre in the Centre-Val de Loire region
Additional experience requirements apply depending on the award type, ranging from a minimum of three years post-PhD experience for integration fellowships to at least five years post-PhD experience for professorship and visiting researcher awards.
How to Apply for the Smart Loire Valley Programme 2026
Applying for the Smart Loire Valley Programme 2026 is online here: https://www.lestudium-ias.com/programmes/smart-loire-valley-programme/studium-visiting-researcher
Applicants begin by registering on the official LE STUDIUM application portal and selecting the Smart Loire Valley Programme under the recruitment options. After account creation, candidates complete the online application form and upload the required documents, including their CV, scientific research proposal, and a formal commitment letter from the host laboratory.
Once all sections are completed and documents uploaded, the application is submitted online for international peer review. Only eligible and complete applications are evaluated, ensuring that shortlisted candidates are assessed purely on scientific quality, research impact, and career potential.
The last date to apply for the Smart Loire Valley Programme 2026 is 29 January 2026 at 17:00 (CET, Paris time).