The Embassy of France in Nigeria is implementing the French Government Scholarship Programme, "France Excellence" among which are the "Séjours Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (SSHN, High-Level Scientific Stays)".
Addressed to academic and research staff wishing to spend some time in a higher education or research institution in France, the SSHN also aim to be a tool to increase the cooperation with French institutions.
In 2023, 7 Nigerian researchers have been awarded this grant for a 2 to 4 weeks mobility. In 2024, the Embassy of France offered 7 scientific grants of one month each. In 2025, the number of visits funded may be higher, depending on the available budget, the duration of the visits.
The scholarship includes a round-trip air ticket, a monthly allowance, health and repatriation insurance. Accommodation can be booked through Campus France Paris. The rent would be then deducted from the grant.
Eligibility criteria
Nationality: any candidate with a tenure position in a public or private higher education institution or scientific research laboratory accredited by the National Universities Commission is eligible. Please note that binational candidates holding the nationality of one of the countries of the European Union are not eligible.
Degree: only PhD students and holders of PhD degrees are eligible. According to the programme rules, candidates who have obtained a doctorate for more than 5 years will be considered "confirmed researchers". Candidates who have obtained a doctorate within the last 5 years, are considered "young researchers".
Length of mobility: from 2 weeks (14 days) to 4 weeks (28 days).
Dates of mobility: in 2025, only mobilities scheduled between the 15th of September and ending at the latest on the 15th of December will be eligible, if the institution in France can host the grantee.
Selection criteria and preparation of the mobility
Applications will be assessed on the basis of the precision of the project and elements ensuring the added value and impact of the mobility on personal, institutional and cooperation levels.
The host organization letter of invitation must include a description of the activities to be carried out during the stay (e.g., titles of seminars/conferences organised, scientific articles in preparation). The cover letter must explain the reasons of the host organization selected, past achievements in line with the mobility project, relevance to the areas of research developed by the home laboratories, and actions generating the strengthening or creation of new collaborations. The quality and precision of the work plan will be assessed through the mobility timetable, which must demonstrate that the project has been carefully prepared in advance.
Candidacies proposing a co-financing will be positively assessed.
The results will be sent by e-mail together with the description of the procedure to comply for the travel arrangements and visa applications. The Embassy of France in Nigeria will link the grantee with Campus France Paris who is responsible for the organisation of the practical aspects of the mobility.
Any mobility not started or not confirmed by June the 15th will be automatically cancelled. The scholarship will be given to a candidate on the waiting list. Scholarship cannot be transferred to the following year, whatever the reason might be.
Calendar
17th February 2025: launch of the call for applications.
26th April 2025: deadline for application.
30th May 2025: results released.
1st July 2025: deadline for laureates to send their file to Campus France Paris.
From 15th September to 15th December 2025: mobility period in France.
Form and documents are to be sent in a single pdf file to:
sebastien.bede@diplomatie.gouv.fr
joy.chika@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Application deadline: 26th April 2025
Download the application form here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TgtcY-b2xuiT3NjbdnEaXXyijq2IWhfz/ed…;