Are you ready to elevate your research and foster global collaboration? The Franco-Korean PHC STAR Program—a flagship initiative of the Hubert Curien Partnership—offers a unique, fully funded opportunity for researchers to engage in high-impact academic exchanges between France and the Republic of Korea. Coordinated in France by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), and implemented in Korea by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) on behalf of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), this program is designed to drive excellence in scientific and technological research collaborations.
The PHC STAR Program supports a diverse range of research projects across all scientific and technological disciplines, as well as interdisciplinary studies addressing societal challenges through the lens of science and technology. With an annual call for proposals and a rigorous evaluation process, this program is your gateway to secure mobility funding, expand your research horizons, and build lasting academic partnerships between French and Korean institutions.
Program Objectives and Scope
The core objective of the PHC STAR Program is to enhance high-level scientific and technological exchanges between French and Korean research laboratories. The program encourages new collaborations, prioritizes projects involving young researchers (doctorates and post-doctorates), and aims to support interdisciplinary initiatives that can later be scaled into broader European projects, such as those under Horizon Europe.
Key aspects include:
Scientific and Technological Collaboration: Foster research partnerships between laboratories in France and Korea.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Support projects that merge various scientific, technological, and societal fields, such as challenges in human and social sciences through innovative technology.
Priority on New Collaborations: Preference is given to teams establishing new links over those with prior support under this program.
Young Researcher Engagement: Emphasis on the active participation of young doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to nurture future scientific leaders.
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Eligibility and Application Guidelines
Types of Projects
The program is open to projects that fall within two broad categories:
- All Scientific and Technological Disciplines:
Projects can span any scientific field. - Interdisciplinary Projects:
Projects addressing societal challenges through science and technology, with a focus on creating future European collaborations (e.g., Horizon Europe projects).
Eligibility Criteria for Teams
French Research Teams: Must be associated with higher education institutions or research organizations in France.
Corporate Involvement:
Companies may participate if they are partnered with a French academic institution.
Prior Support: Projects or teams (both French and Korean) that have already received support under this program are not eligible for a new application immediately after completion; new collaborations are prioritized.
Co-Submission: Only applications jointly submitted by French and Korean partners through their respective managing bodies are considered.
Uniform Project Title: Project titles must be identical in both the French and Korean submissions.
Evaluation and Selection
The evaluation process is conducted separately by French and Korean scientific committees:
- Evaluation Criteria:
- Scientific quality of the project and team expertise.
- Active involvement of young researchers.
- Cooperative synergy and complementarity between French and Korean teams.
- Prospects for project structuring and value addition, with an emphasis on European networking opportunities.
- Selection Committee:
Experts from both countries convene to reconcile evaluations and make joint funding decisions. In France, the Délégation aux affaires européennes et internationales (DAEI) of MESR oversees the scientific evaluation.
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Operational and Financial Modalities
Funding Details
Annual Funding: Projects are financed on an annual basis for two consecutive years, with a total funding range of €16,000 to €19,000.
Budget Usage (France): Funds must be fully utilized within the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) with no rollover permitted.
Funding Scope: The funding exclusively covers the costs associated with the mobility between France and Korea for the researchers involved.
Project Duration and Commencement
French Projects: Selected projects will commence on January 1, 2026.
Korean Projects: Projects start in October 2025 following the formal agreement signing.
Additional Financing: Any additional funding necessary must be secured by the research teams or through alternative sources.
Renewal of Funding
To renew credits for a second year, teams must submit:
- A one-page scientific progress report with details of mobility activities before the end of the current year.
- A financial report documenting expenditure.
- Evidence of optimal fund utilization.
These documents must be sent to the French Embassy in the Republic of Korea before the year’s end.
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Eligible Expenses and Project Follow-Up
Eligible Expenses
- The allocated funding covers the mobility expenses of French researchers, including:
- Stipends for stay and travel (e.g., indemnities and travel costs).
- Note:
Doctoral students on French government scholarships under the France Excellence program are not eligible for additional mobility allowances under PHC STAR.
Intellectual Property and Reporting
Intellectual Property: Project leaders must ensure all necessary measures are taken to protect their intellectual property. The submission of a project implies agreement to adhere to established intellectual property rules.
Project Reporting: For each mobility, French project leaders must complete an “engagement sheet” and submit the complete dossier to Campus France at least three weeks before departure, along with a final scientific and financial report due within three months after project completion.
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Submission and Deadlines
How to Apply
Early Submission: Applicants are encouraged to submit their dossiers early to avoid technical issues.
Language: Applications can be submitted in either French or English.
Online Submission: Complete your application via the designated online portal for your country’s managing authority.
Important Deadline (French Side): Friday, 28 March 2025 (before midnight French time).
Post-Submission Process
Results Publication: Selected projects will be announced on the Campus France extranet in July 2025.
Notification: Official notification of funding will be sent in January/February 2026, with project start dates in February 2026 for French teams.
Project Planning: The period between results announcement and project start is crucial for developing detailed work plans with Korean partners.
Final Thoughts
The PHC STAR Program is an exceptional opportunity to advance scientific collaboration and technology exchange between France and Korea. By supporting innovative projects and fostering new partnerships, this program plays a pivotal role in enhancing the global scientific landscape and driving forward sustainable technological progress.
If you are a researcher eager to establish new international collaborations, now is the time to prepare your proposal. Submit your application before 28 March 2025 and take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and innovate on a global scale.
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