Pasteur-Paris University International Doctoral Program (PPU) | Fully Funded

Applications will be open for the Pasteur-Paris University International Doctoral Program (PPU), a prestigious PhD opportunity offered by the Institut Pasteur in collaboration with Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, and Université Paris Saclay. This program is designed for students with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in science, medicine, or related fields, offering cutting-edge research in areas such as Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, and Neurosciences.

The application window for the October 2026 intake runs from September 1 to October 20, 2025, with no application fee required. The program is fully funded, providing a monthly salary of €2,000, a €4,000 welcome bonus, and additional benefits like travel reimbursement and conference funding. Eligible candidates include international students with a non-French master’s degree (for most tracks) or medical students in specific cycles (for the MD-PhD track), with English fluency required and no prior residency in France for more than 12 months in the last three years for certain tracks. Check more MS and PhD positions

Key Details

• Application Period: September 1 – October 20, 2025
• Fields of Study: Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Structural Biology, Virology, Parasitology, Neurosciences, and more
• Funding: Fully funded
  • Monthly salary: €2,000 (includes health, unemployment, and retirement insurance)
  • Welcome bonus: €4,000 (gross)
  • Annual travel reimbursement: Up to €1,300 (non-continental Europe) or €350 (continental Europe)
  • Conference funding: €750/year
• Application Fee: None
• Duration: 3 years
• Nationality: Open to all

Program Overview

The Pasteur-Paris University International Doctoral Program (PPU), launched in 2009 by the Institut Pasteur, is a prestigious PhD program in collaboration with Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, and Université Paris Saclay. It targets students with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in science, medicine, or related fields, offering world-class research opportunities in Paris.

Funded partly by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program (Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant N°665807), the PPU provides a dynamic environment for cutting-edge research and professional development.

Research Opportunities

PPU students conduct research in one of the 144 laboratories at Institut Pasteur, covering diverse fields such as:

• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Structural Biology
• Virology
• Parasitology
• Neurosciences
• Developmental Biology
• Systems Biology

Also check: IMPRS-ML PhD Program for Future Leaders in Life Sciences

Eligibility Criteria

General Requirements

• Language: Fluency in English is required (TOEFL scores optional). No French knowledge is needed, though basic French is helpful for daily life.
• Age: No age limit, but most candidates are 24-26 and start within 1-3 years of their master’s degree.
• External Funding: Candidates with external funding are eligible if it constitutes employment or can be allocated to Institut Pasteur for salary.

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Program-Specific Requirements

1. PPU-Classic, PPU-Oxford, PPU-EID, PPU-Imagine:
   • Master’s degree (or equivalent) from a university outside France.
   • Students with a B.A./B.S. (4 years) may qualify with 6+ months of lab experience and a written report or publication Mobility rule: Candidates must not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the three years before the application deadline (October 20, 2025).
   • Students who began doctoral training elsewhere or hold a French master’s degree are ineligible.
2. PPU-Research & Technology, PPU-Participatory Science:
   • Open to candidates with French or international master’s degrees.
   • No mobility restrictions.
3. PPU MD-PhD:
   • Open to medical students in cycle 2 or 3 (or equivalent) in France or abroad.
   • No mobility restrictions.

Thesis Advisor Requirements

• Must hold an HDR (Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches) diploma.
• Must be affiliated with Institut Pasteur and a Parisian university’s doctoral school.
• Each advisor can propose only one candidate per application cycle.

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Application Process

1. Choose a Host Laboratory:
   • Browse projects on the PPU application website (https://ppu.pasteur.fr) starting September 1, 2025.
   • Contact up to four labs, but each advisor selects only one candidate.
   • Submit a CV and motivation letter via the application portal (no email applications).
2. Joint Application:
   • Selected candidates complete a joint application with the host lab, evaluated by the Admission Committee in December.
3. Interview Week:
   • Shortlisted candidates are invited for a four-day visit to Institut Pasteur in February (travel and accommodation covered).
   • Activities include lab visits, meetings with faculty, and presenting past and proposed research to the Admission Committee.
   • Around 15 students are selected annually.

Financial Support and Benefits

Salary and Bonuses

• Monthly Salary: €2,000 (includes health insurance, unemployment insurance, and retirement plan).
• Welcome Bonus: €4,000 (gross), paid with the first salary.
• Travel Reimbursement: One round-trip ticket per year to the country of origin (up to €1,300 for non-continental Europe, €350 for continental Europe).

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Additional Support

• Conference Funding: €750/year for international conferences or summer courses.
• Housing Assistance: Access to reserved housing at Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris for the first 6-12 months (rent paid by the student).
• Administrative Support: Help with visa applications, social security enrollment, and other paperwork.
• Campus Amenities:
  • Subsidized cafeteria access.
  • Free WiFi and access to the Center for Scientific Information (CeRIS).
  • Discounts on sports, travel, and cultural events via the Institut Pasteur employee benefits committee.

Note: No financial support is provided for family members.

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How to Apply

1. Visit https://ppu.pasteur.fr starting September 1, 2025, to view projects and register.
2. Contact potential host labs early to discuss projects.
3. Submit your application (CV and motivation letter) via the portal by October 20, 2025.
4. If selected by a lab, complete the joint application for committee review.