IP Paris International Seed Funding Program - Call for Proposals 2026

1. Objectives

The program’s main objective is to stimulate new or emerging scientific collaborations with strategic partners, targeting projects with high scientific and strategic value. Selected projects must:

• Initiate or strengthen international scientific networks,
• Prepare applications for competitive funding (international ANR, ERC Synergy, Horizon Europe, etc.),
• Encourage the active participation of young researchers (doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers),
• Develop initiatives that will shape the future.

2. Eligibility and Funding

Call for proposals open to all IP Paris researchers in collaboration with strategic partners (list below).

All research disciplines are eligible.

The budget for this first call is €150,000, with an average funding of €10,000 per project.

3. Conditions 

• New or emerging collaboration, involving at least one principal investigator per partner institution.
• Duration: 12 months (renewal possible under certain conditions).
• Co-funding: Expected by default from the partner, unless there is a duly justified exception.
• Activities eligible for funding: 
  • Short-term visits for researchers and doctoral students,
  • Organization of workshops, seminars, and scientific exchanges,, 
  • Development of collaborative networks.
• Ineligible activities: :
  • Teaching or academic training,
  • Conference or registration fees,
  • Purchase of equipment.

4. Evaluation Criteria

Beyond the scientific quality of the project, the evaluation is based primarily on the following elements:

• The ambitious nature of the project, the expected short-term results, and its added value within the context of seed funding (e.g., the ability to lead to applications for other European or international funding, as well as the structuring or innovative impact of the proposed collaboration).
• The added value of the strategic partnership for IP Paris and its member schools
• The participation of several IP Paris schools, where relevant.
• The involvement of young researchers (particularly doctoral and postdoctoral students).
• Co-funding by the partner or through another program.

5. How to apply? 

• Call for proposals opens : xx/xx/xxxx
• Application deadline : xx/xx/xxxx
• Application materials : 
  • A project description (objectives, methodology, expected results), 
  • A detailed budget (including co-funding), 
  • CVs of the project leaders,
  • Maximum 13,000 characters (including spaces),
  • Submission platform:
    https://framaforms.org/ip-paris-international-seed-funding-program-2026-1777014054

All projects must submit an activity and financial report at the end of the funding period.

An analysis will be conducted every three years to assess the program’s impact, return on investment, and prospects for future development.

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Strategic Partners - 2026

Collaborations must involve one of the following priority partners:

Note: This list of priority partnerships has been established for this first call for proposals under the IP Paris International Seed Funding Program. Collaborations with other institutions may nevertheless be considered on an exceptional basis, depending on their scientific quality and strategic relevance.

Complementary initiatives and synergies

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris regularly establishes strategic international partnerships leading to calls for co-funded projects.

EuroTech Visiting Researchers Program : EuroTech funds research stays of up to two weeks to strengthen cooperation among researchers at its partner universities. You can apply to this EuroTech Visiting Researcher program.

Erasmus+ mobility programs : for faculty and doctoral students, these programs offer mobility and funding opportunities.