I. USE AND ACCESS THE APPLICATION PLATFORM
=> How do I access the application platform?
You can access the platform via the following URL: https://exebio-calls.univ-reims.fr/
=> How do I create an account?
To create an account, click the “Register” button on the top right of the homepage.
=> How do I apply for a grant?
Click on the grant you want to apply for. There, you will find all the relevant information, documents and application button.
=> Where can I access the Application guidelines and required documents?
The Application guidelines document is available on the homepage of the application platform.
All required documents, including the Application guidelines, are available within each grant application tab.
=> Where can I find the call calendar?
The call calendar is available on the homepage of the application platform and within the Application guidelines.
=> How can I contact the EXEBIO team?
For any technical, administrative issue or question, you can contact us within the best delays respective to the application deadline
at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
II. CALL PROCEDURE
=> What is the scope of the EXEBIO Doctoral Fellowship 2025 Call?
The objective of the call is to encourage “Excellence” in the recruitment of PhD students by fostering international mobility, or interdisciplinarity/transdiciplinarity, or collaborations with external partners at both the national and international levels.
The allocated budget for 2025 will fund two half-doctoral positions.
=> Who can apply to the EXEBIO Doctoral Fellowship Call?
Applicants must belong to a research unit affiliated with the EXEBIO consortium and meet the criteria outlined in the call, including a focus on bioeconomy and the environment.
=> How many stages does the EXEBIO Doctoral Fellowship Call follow?
The EXEBIO Doctoral Fellowship Call follows a two-stages process.
=> What are the application stages and mandatory documents?
The process consists of:
- Stage 1: Submission of a preliminary application, including a thesis summary and selection of excellence criteria. It requires the following:
- Title of the thesis (in English and French)
- Executive summary of the thesis (10–15 lines)
- Keywords
- Selection of at least one Excellence Criteria
- Unit director’s appreciation
- CVs of the thesis supervisor(s)
- Suggested and excluded experts
- Stage 2: Submission of a detailed scientific and technical proposal (maximum 8 pages) and required annexes. It requires the following:
- The scientific document (8-page maximum) including context, methodology, results, and impact.
- Proof of co-funding application to another funding program
- Details of how the project meets the selected excellence criteria.
- Completed DD&RS form
=> What does the assessment process entail?
The process begins with the administrative review of stage 1 submission. For all applications passing stage 1 it will be followed by a 2 months period of external expertise. The final assessment will be conducted by the Scientific Evaluation Committee and approved by the EXEBIO Advisory Board before the announcement of the final awardees.
=> Where can I find the call timetable?
The call timetable is available on the homepage of the application platform and within the Application guidelines.
=> Where should I submit my application?
Applications must be submitted via the EXEBIO calls platform under the appropriate tabs for stage 1 and stage 2.
=> What happens after I submit my application?
You will receive an email confirming that your application has been submitted. You will be informed of the final results once the entire process is complete.
=> How will my application be evaluated?
Applications are assessed on scientific quality, relevance to bioeconomy and environmental themes, alignment with excellence criteria, and feasibility over 36 months.
Scientific criteria are as follows :
- Clarity of the research objectives and hypotheses
- Innovation, originality, positioning relative to the state of the art
- Relevance of the methodology
- Relevance of the “Excellence criteria” selected which can be:
- International mobility
- or Interdisciplinarity/transdisciplinary
- or External collaborations
- Impact and benefits of the project (scientific, societal and/or economic)
- Quality of the supervision and working environment for the doctoral student
=> Who reviews the application?
Applications are reviewed by a panel of external experts proposed.
III. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
=> Is secured co-financing required for application?
No, but proof of a co-funding application must be provided in stage 2. If selected, EXEBIO funding is contingent on securing co-financing for the other half of the doctoral position.
=> Are funds for laboratory experiments or workshops included?
No, the grant only covers half of the doctoral student's salary.
=> Can I submit a project previously submitted to AllocDoc URCA?
No, duplicate submissions to AllocDoc URCA and EXEBIO are not allowed. However, applications rejected by EXEBIO may be resubmitted to AllocDoc URCA without restrictions.
IV. EXCELLENCE CRITERIA
= > What are the Excellence Criteria, and how many must be addressed?
Applicants must address at least one of the following:
- International mobility: at least one month abroad, detailing destination, purpose, and relevance to research.
- Interdisciplinarity/Transdisciplinarity: involving at least two disciplines, with a description of how this enriches the research.
- Collaboration with national or international external partners (external referring to partners outside the EXEBIO consortium): identifying partners, their roles, and the added value to the project.
=> Can interdisciplinarity occur within the same laboratory?
Yes, if it involves collaboration between teams representing distinct disciplines.
V. SUPERVISION
=> What are the requirements for the thesis supervisor(s)?
Supervisors must:
- Hold an HDR* qualification (or equivalent for non-French supervisors)
- Provide a CV detailing past doctoral supervisions and relevant training.
- Ensure their total supervision rate does not exceed 300%.
* Academic qualification that allows a person to supervise doctoral students and lead academic research, after obtaining a PhD.
=> Can I apply if I do not hold an HDR?
Only researchers with an HDR qualification are eligible as thesis supervisor and co-supervisor, as per Doctoral School regulations. The application on the platform can be done either by the thesis supervisor and thesis co-supervisor as well as the co-advisor (without HDR qualification).
VI. DD&RS (Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility)
=> What is DD&RS?
The Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility (SD&SR) Label guarantees the commitment of schools, universities and research institutes in terms of ecological transition.
=> Why do I have to fill out the DD&RS form?
The University of Reims Champagne Ardenne has decided to adopt Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility (SD&SR) as a strong element of its policy for the 2024-2028 term.
The SD&SR strategy of the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA) embodies an ambitious political vision, supported by a dedicated vice-presidency. This governance structure illustrates URCA's desire to integrate ecological transition and social responsibility into the heart of its missions and daily life.
The URCA Sustainable Development – Corporate Social Responsibility (SD DD-RSE) master plan is broken down into the five areas of the DD&RS label framework: teaching and training, research and innovation, environmental management, social policy, strategy and governance – into which it integrates the three mandatory components defined by the MESR (Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche), which are the reduction of the establishment's carbon footprint, control of its energy consumption and the preservation of biodiversity.
=> Is it mandatory to fill out the DD&RS form?
Yes, the DD&RS form has to be completed and uploaded with all mandatory documents, if your project is not concerned by any axis, objective or actions proposed you are invited to check the last box "Today, the project that I am submitting does not fit precisely into the objectives listed in the DD&RS", this will not be a penalty during the assessment.
=> Will the application file submitted to the experts include the DD&RS form?
No, the DD&RS form will not be part of the application file submitted to the experts for assessment.
VIII. CONTACT
Should you have any question that is not answered within this F.A.Q. please contact us directly, within the best delays respective to the application deadline at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.