International Voluntary Service in Scientific Research

STRENGTHEN YOUR RESEARCH TEAM THROUGH VOLUNTEERING IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Established by the French government, the INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC VOLUNTARY SERVICE enables young men and women to conduct research work abroad under the auspices of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the French Embassy. Volunteers must be under 29 years of age, and either French or nationals from the European Economic Area (EEA).

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Candidates must have been awarded a Master’s degree or a PhD or be in their final year before graduating. To register, they should visit the website of the Centre d’Information sur le Volontariat International:

HOST INSTITUTION
The host institution must be a university laboratory, a research department, research centre, or a public institution. Private institutions are not eligible.

DURATION OF THE MISSION
The duration is flexible, ranging from 6 to 24 months, renewable once with a 24-month limit.

HOW TO RECRUIT A RESEARCHER?
There are three possibilities:

1. The host institution wishing to recruit a researcher may publish an advertisement on the CIVI website by submitting a summary of the research project proposal and the email address of the head of the research project in charge of recruitment to the Office for Science and Technology of the French Embassy. As soon as the advertisement is published, the Embassy will direct it to the head of the research project.
Applicants’ resume should be sent directly to the recruiter who will then select the most suitable candidate.

2. Depending on his/her specialization and the research interests of the host institution, the candidate may apply on his/her own initiative.

3. The host institution may receive a candidate in accordance with the partnership agreements signed between the host institution and French or European universities, research organisation or Higher Education Establishment.

HOW IS THE VOLUNTEER’S STAY FUNDED?
Funding can be provided by:
1. The host institution
2. A French company
3. Or both (host institution / French company) provided the French authorities deal with a single paying authority only.

Costs to be covered by the funding party:
• The monthly allowance as set by the French authorities, depending on the country of assignment (1,655.12 euros as of 01-03-08 for Ireland).
• Volunteer’s return journey travel expenses + cost of luggage up to 150 kg (freighted).

Social protection will be covered by the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs if the volunteer is funded by the host institution, otherwise by the French company sponsoring him/her.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Depending on who the funding party is, the host institution or the French company should send the following documents to the Scientific Attaché of the French Embassy:

1. A resume in French and English.

2. A research project abstract (1 to 2 pages in French and in English).

3. The Civil Volunteer Position Offer form (*), completed and signed by the host institution official or by the French company.

4. A letter of financial support (*), completed and signed by the funding party.

5. If funding is provided

  by the host institution, a sponsorship letter from a French university, research organisation, Higher Education Institution or research department of a French company describing the context and scientific interest of the research work concerned.

  by a French company, a letter from the host university formally agreeing to :

• receive the candidate (from 6 to 24 months)

• take the necessary steps to obtain the candidate’s visa (where applicable)

• authorize the fellow to participate in exchanges between the scientific communities, in conjunction with the Attaché for Science and Technology at the French Embassy.

(*) These documents are available at the Office of Science and Technology at the French Embassy or the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ghislaine.schurmann[at]diplomatie.gouv.fr).

The file containing all the required documentation should be sent to the Office for Science and Technology of the French Embassy at least 3 months prior to the volunteer’s start date. Once approval is obtained from the Scientific Attaché, the file will be transmitted to the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs to expedite processing and administrative follow-up.

Click here for more information:
www.civiweb.com/scientific

CONTACTS

Christophe LEROUGE
Office for Science and Technology
French Embassy in Ireland / SCAC
1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Ph: +353 (0)1 708 8300
science[at]ambafrance.ie

Ghislaine SCHURMANN
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Fax: +33 1.43.17.76.22
ghislaine.schurmann[at]diplomatie.gouv.fr

Centre d’Information sur le Volontariat International:
CIVI (International Volunteers Information Centre)
77 boulevard Saint-Jacques
75998 PARIS CEDEX 14
France
Ph: +33 (0)810 10 18 28)