PhD Courses

Admission for PhD studies into the Doctoral Faculty "Ingénierie – Matériaux Mécanique Energétique Environnement Procédés Production" (IMEP2)

The preparation of a PhD at the Ecole doctorale "Ingénierie – Matériaux Mécanique Energétique Environnement Procédés Production" is accessible to:

  • Graduates with a "Research" Master degree from a French University (with the French equivalent of a first Division or 2.1) (preferably a Master degree in Mechanics, Fluids Mechanics, Solids Mechanics, Civil Engineering, Applied Mathematics ...)
  • Foreign graduates with a similar degree. Admission is never automatic, it depends systematically on the agreement of the concerned laboratory. Furthermore, in accordance with the regulations of the Ecole Doctorale, for MSc. "Recherche" Graduates from Grenoble University, the "mention Assez Bien" (French equivalent of a 2.1) or above is mandatory. For other students, admission will be granted only to applicants with a dossier stating the qualities of the applicant. Besides, the admission into PhD studies depends on a grant or other equivalent sources of income.

PhD Grants

  • Allocations de Recherche du Ministère de Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Technologique (MENRT) (Research Grants attributed by the French Ministry in charge of Research and Universities)

    These three year grants are for the benefit of students involved full time in the preparation of a PhD. They are given by the "Ecole Doctorale IMEP2" for subjects which are given priority at the beginning of the year. The perception of a grant depends to a great extent on the results in the second year of the master.

    To apply for this allowance, the following conditions have to be fulfilled:

    • The student applying for the research allowance must be either French (or in the process of acquiring French citizenship) or a citizen of one of the member states of the European Union, or else, the student must have studied for the second year of the master and obtained the master in France or have obtained a degree equivalent to the Master in one of the Bologna Process Signatory States (the 27 EU members plus 18 other countries including Norway, Iceland, Switzerland among others)
    • The student must begin the thesis immediately after obtaining the second year of the master or equivalent (a grace period of one year can be granted in case of pregnancy, long-term illness, military service or preparation for the "Agregation" -- a French teaching diploma)
    • As a principle, the student must be under 25 (possible exceptions for students under 30 on the 1st of January of the year of application, with a specific and motivated request from the person in charge of the doctoral school)

  • "Allocations de recherche du CNRS (BDI)" (CNRS Research Grants)

    These grants are reserved specifically for Engineering Graduates who wish to get a further education through research while preparing for a doctorate and then to have a career in industry. Successful applicants are received in CNRS laboratories (CNRS own laboratories, or joint laboratories or CNRS partners). Admission requirements: The applicants must be under 27 on the 1st of October of the year the grant is attributed (with an extension equal to the duration of military service), they must be graduates of an Engineering School listed by the CNRS or who will obtain their degree before the month of September. The application forms can be obtained from the doctoral schools or the research laboratories listed by the CNRS. Applicants must inquire about the application dates.

    Attribution procedure: The grants are assigned by a Research Committee of the CNRS which convenes in May. They are attributed for one year from September, carried on tacitly for a second year and can be extended upon justification for part or the whole of a third year.

    The monthly rate of the grants is € 1413.54 for classical grants and € 1717.64 for CNRS/private companies joint grants. They are submitted to the normal rate of income tax and Social Security. A successful application for a grant, does not imply a subsequent appointment as full-time researcher of the CNRS.

  • Various Grants

    The Rhône-Alpes Regional Authority or major Research organisations such as the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA - Atomic Commission)), the Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER - Marine Research Institute), the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES - Space Agency), the Agence de l’Environnement (ADELE – Environment Agency) and the Agence de Maîtrise de l’Energie (ADEME – Energy Commission), etc... as well as indutrial companies (in the framework of CIFRE contracts) may grant allowances and subsidies for a research project carried out under a contract with a laboratory. Information can be obtained from the research laboratories.

    Foreign students are advised, before leaving their home country, to obtain a grant to study in France, either from their own country or from the French government. Information can be obtained from the Cultural Service of the French Embassy.