LE STUDIUM Loire Valley

Established in 1996 and inspired by the historical, geographical and human cultures of the Loire Valley, LE STUDIUM Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies is an independent institution that covers all research fields in one global initiative aiming at boosting international scientific exchanges in the Centre-Val de Loire region and creating a dynamic scientific community that supports research and innovation. Le Studium reunites the two regional universities of Tours and Orleans, the INSA CVL engineering school, the ESAD Orleans as well as research centres based in the Centre-Val de Loire region (CNRS, INRAe Val de Loire Centre, BRGM, Inserm, CEA). It benefits from the longstanding and strong support of the Centre-Val de Loire Regional Council and Orléans Metropole that have secured the IAS installation in outstanding premises and an excellent visiting scientists’ residence on the Loire riverbank.

Fellows are high-level international researchers. They benefit from outstanding research conditions and are given full leeway to organise the work around the project of their choice in the humanities and social sciences as well as at the interface with other sciences present in the region. Social and Human Sciences projects can also have transversal axes with computer and mathematical sciences, physics, environmental sciences and health and life sciences. Links between disciplines are encouraged.

The institute provides its fellows with logistical and financial support for the organisation of scientific events, training activities and for other initiatives related to their work and/or to other fellows’ work (French language class, inter-sectoral collaborations, training seminars, fundraising information, research centres visits, cultural sites visits…).

First located on the regional CNRS Campus in Orleans La Source, Le Studium moved in December 2013, to the city-centre of Orleans in the Hôtel Dupanloup, the former Bishop’s residence located next to the Orleans’ Cathedrale, a fully renovated 17th building to host international research activities.

The IAS fellows benefit from workspaces and access to IT infrastructure, research facilities and other relevant resources. The Hôtel Dupanloup venue offers a large conference room and a series of meeting rooms, which can be easily booked for their activities. The IAS provides fully equipped apartments to its fellows in a renovated private mansion on the Loire in Orleans, the Château de la Motte Sanguin, and in other private apartments in Tours.

In addition to the numerous services provided by the IAS, Fellows will benefit from expertise, guidance and services from their host laboratory as well as the support from the MSH (Maison des Sciences de l’Homme Val de Loire) that structures the SSH research in the region and has its own services for researchers.

The fellows’ projects at the Loire Valley IAS can be in any disciplines and themes in the social sciences and humanities (SSH) and in connection as well with other sciences. Projects must include a strong interdisciplinary dimension of the proposed research, and the demonstrated skill and ability of the researcher and named proposal to increase knowledge. This should also translate in the application of new ideas, procedures, technologies, programmes or policy settings to important topics that will have a significant impact on the proposed field of study.

Priority will be given to projects addressing societal challenges and embedding the institute’s outward looking vision. For this purpose, the LE STUDIUM Loire Valley IAS will welcome projects at the interface between SSH and other sciences enthusiastically.

Application to the Loire Valley IAS

Any applicant to LE STUDIUM Loire Valley IAS through the FIAS programme must provide a support letter from a recognised regional research unit. The host laboratory has to describe how the applying researcher is essential to carry out the envisaged research. It has to underline the importance of the research project in line with its strategy. The letter has to be signed by the host scientist, the director of the host laboratory and a representative of one of the host institution (“tutelle”). Any application without a valid support letter will not be considered further.

If necessary, LE STUDIUM team can establish a link between international researchers and potential host laboratories in the Centre-Val de Loire region. For more information see https://www.lestudium-ias.fr.