Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028 are now open for outstanding early-career researchers eager to engage in world-class, interdisciplinary research in France. Hosted by the renowned Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (IAST) at Université Toulouse Capitole, these fully funded fellowships provide an exceptional platform for scholars to advance their academic careers in a collaborative and intellectually vibrant environment.
The IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028 are designed to promote innovative research across a wide range of social and behavioral sciences. Fellows will have the opportunity to explore pioneering ideas, exchange perspectives with global experts, and contribute to cross-disciplinary discoveries in fields such as economics, political science, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. This fellowship offers an ideal setting for academic growth and impactful research that transcends traditional boundaries.
Benefits of Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028
Selected IAST Research Fellows will receive:
- A two-year employment contract (CDD) in France
- Full-time research opportunity in an interdisciplinary environment
- Office space and computing facilities
- Access to academic seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary meetings
- Opportunities to collaborate across disciplines at the intersection of social and behavioral sciences
- Potential sponsorship for Marie Curie Fellowship applications (optional)
Eligibility Criteria for Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028
To be eligible for the IAST Research Fellowships 2026, applicants must:
- Open to all nationalities
- Have completed or expect to complete their PhD between December 2022 and September 2026.
- Applicants completing their PhD between October and December 2026 may have their start date postponed.
- Those who completed their PhD before December 2022 may apply with a justified explanation in the cover letter.
- Be early-career researchers who are not currently in tenure-track or tenured positions.
- Demonstrate a strong research background in their discipline and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
Available Subjects
The IAST welcomes applications from a wide range of fields within the social and behavioral sciences, including but not limited to:
- Anthropology: cooperation and conflict, human evolution, demography, health, aging, diet, and global health.
- Evolutionary Biology: evolutionary theory, behavioral ecology, and social evolution.
- Economics: microeconomics, development, game theory, and behavioral economics.
- History: quantitative and empirical economic history, social and political history.
- Political Science: political economy, policy studies, institutions, development, and networks.
- Psychology: artificial intelligence ethics, moral behavior, human-machine cooperation, and social learning.
- Sociology: social networks, inequality, mobility, polarization, and environmental sociology.
- Philosophy, Mathematics, and related disciplines are also considered.
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter (maximum two single-spaced pages) outlining current research and future plans
- Two writing samples (published papers, working papers, or book chapters)
- Contact details of three referees (name, title, and email). Referees will receive an automatic email request from IAST.
- Recommendation letters deadline: November 30, 2025
Expectations from Fellows
IAST fosters a collaborative and dynamic academic culture. Fellows are expected to:
- Attend seminars, institutional events, and the annual research retreat
- Participate in discussions and interdisciplinary exchanges
- Contribute, if needed, to the Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences
- Engage with faculty and peers across different research domains
How to Apply for the Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028
- Visit the official website
- Review the eligibility criteria and fellowship details carefully.
- Prepare all required academic and research documents.
- Complete the online application form on the IAST portal.
- Submit your application before the deadline for consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028 offer early-career researchers a two-year full-time postdoctoral contract with office and IT resources in an interdisciplinary environment. Eligible applicants must finish their PhD after December 2022 and before September 2026, or justify earlier completion. Researchers from social, behavioural and related disciplines can apply by 15 November 2025, submitting a CV, short cover letter, writing samples and three referees. Selected fellows engage in seminars, retreats and possibly summer school, and IAST encourages diversity and supports Marie Curie sponsorship.
What are the Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (IAST) Research Fellowships 2026-2028?
The IAST Research Fellowships are full-time, two-year contracts that allow early-career researchers to devote themselves entirely to independent research within a vibrant interdisciplinary environment.
Who is eligible to apply for the Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028?
Applications are open to researchers who have or expect to complete their PhD after December 2022 and before September 2026. Applicants who completed their PhD in 2022 or earlier may apply if they justify their case in a cover letter. Tenure-track or tenured researchers cannot apply.
What disciplines are eligible for Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026-2028 application?
The programme welcomes applicants from social and behavioural sciences such as anthropology, economics, history, mathematics, philosophy, political science, psychology and sociology. Motivated researchers from other disciplines are also considered.
What is provided to selected Research Fellows?
Selected fellows receive office space, computing facilities and a full-time contract (CDD) for two years, enabling them to focus purely on research without teaching or administrative duties.
What are the expectations for Research Fellows during their tenure?
Fellows are expected to engage actively in the institute’s intellectual life: attending seminars, participating in institutional events and the annual retreat, and possibly contributing to the summer school in quantitative social sciences.
What is the application deadline for the 2026-2028 cohort?
Applications must be submitted by 15 November 2025. Reference letters from evaluators must be submitted by 30 November 2025.
How should applicants prepare their submission?
Applicants must send a CV, a cover letter (in English, maximum two single-spaced pages) that outlines current research and future plans, at least two writing samples (such as journal articles or book chapters), and contact information for three referees.
Are applicants from outside the social sciences encouraged?
Yes. While the focus is on social and behavioural sciences, motivated applications from other disciplines such as mathematics, philosophy or related fields are welcome provided they engage in interdisciplinarity.
Does the fellowship support candidates applying for a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Fellowship?
Yes. Applicants can convey in their cover letter their interest in being sponsored for the Marie Curie fellowship; the main application to IAST will follow the same evaluation timeline.
Does IAST promote diversity and inclusion in this Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026–2028 programme?
Absolutely. IAST encourages applications from under-represented groups in academia, including researchers from the Global South, and actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion.
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