Are you dreaming of pursuing a fully funded PhD in France? Here is an outstanding opportunity you cannot afford to miss. The BREATH PhD Programme 2026 at the University of Angers is now open for its second call, offering fully funded doctoral positions to talented students from around the world.
Backed by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme through the prestigious Marie SkΕodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Cofund scheme, this programme provides a rare chance to conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in France β with full financial support for three years.
Applications for the 2nd call are open now, and the deadline is fast approaching. Read everything you need to know below.
π Scholarship Overview
The BREATH Programme (Bien-Γͺtre, Recherche, Γducation, Accompagnement, ThΓ©rapeutique, Humain) is a competitive doctoral funding initiative hosted by the University of Angers in western France. It is co-funded by the European Union under the Marie SkΕodowska-Curie Actions Cofund grant agreement No 101179396.
The programme focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of health, society, education, cognition, and human wellbeing. It brings together four doctoral schools at the University of Angers, offering PhD candidates a highly structured, internationally connected research environment.
This is not just a scholarship β it is a full employment contract as a doctoral researcher, with all the rights and benefits that come with it.
π Benefits & Funding
BREATH doctoral students receive:
- A 36-month employment contract (3 years) as a doctoral researcher
- Employment conditions equivalent to permanent researchers at the University β this means a competitive monthly salary, not just a stipend
- Full access to the University of Angers’ research infrastructure and facilities
- Participation in a structured mandatory training programme through the Doctoral College
- Access to interdisciplinary training, workshops, and international mobility opportunities
- Co-funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme
- Professional development support for post-PhD career pathways
This is one of very few PhD programmes in France where doctoral candidates are employed as researchers from day one, providing genuine financial stability throughout the degree.
π Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the BREATH Programme, you must meet the following conditions:
- Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field by the time you begin the PhD
- Meet the MSCA Mobility Rule: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the application deadline
- All nationalities are welcome β this programme is fully open to international applicants
- English language proficiency is required β all applications must be submitted in English. While no specific IELTS or TOEFL score is stated, applicants should have a strong command of written and spoken English to complete the application and interviews
- Applicants must apply to a listed PhD topic or submit their own research project that aligns with the programme’s interdisciplinary health-related focus
π Who Should Apply
This programme is ideal for:
- Recent Master’s graduates looking for a funded PhD opportunity in Europe
- International students who have not lived in France for more than 12 months in the past 3 years
- Researchers interested in health sciences, social sciences, education, psychology, economics, or ethics
- Students who want to propose their own original interdisciplinary research project
- Candidates seeking a professional research employment contract rather than a basic scholarship stipend
Who should NOT apply:
- Students who have already been living or working in France for more than 12 months in the last 3 years (MSCA mobility rule)
- Applicants who have not yet completed or will not complete a Master’s degree before the start date
- Those looking for a taught programme β this is a research-only doctoral position
π Available PhD Topics & Research Areas
The BREATH Programme offers doctoral positions across four doctoral schools:
Doctoral School BS β Biology & Health:
- Psychosociological functioning of young adults with childhood-onset pituitary deficiency
- Replacing animal models in biomedical research with 3D cellular models β an ethical analysis
- Chronic Kidney Disease prevention in African families using a transnational genetics approach
- Animal-Assisted Therapy for children with cleft lip and palate
- Environmental impact of medications β capacity building and outreach (ECO-MED)
Doctoral School STT β Societies, Times & Territories:
- Tele-epidemiology of diarrheal diseases in Brazil in the context of global change
- Community health centre care models β identifying conditions for emergence
- Occupational therapy, aging in place, and environmental factors
Doctoral School ECLIS β Education, Cognition, Languages, Interactions & Health:
- Women’s ultra-endurance running, psychological flexibility, and empowerment (FranceβUSA)
- Comparing CBT and ACT therapies for burnout with cognitive complaints (randomised controlled trial)
Doctoral School EDGE β Economy & Management:
- The role of AI large language models in mental health support β effectiveness, ethics, and stakeholder perspectives
You may also apply with your own research project as long as it aligns with the interdisciplinary and health-related scope of the BREATH programme.
π Required Documents
All applications must be submitted in English and online via the Amethis platform. Required documents include:
- Completed online application form on the Amethis platform
- Motivation letter β using the official BREATH template (mandatory)
- Anonymised CV β using the official Europass BREATH template (mandatory)
- Eligibility declaration for the MSCA Mobility Rule
- Official Master’s degree transcripts (or a Declaration of Honour if transcripts are not yet available)
- Any other supporting documents relevant to your research background
All templates are available for download on the official BREATH How to Apply page.
π Application Process
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official PhD Opportunities page and browse the available topics
- Click on your chosen PhD topic and select the English version (UK flag)
- Click “Apply” or “Candidater” to open your application on the Amethis Platform
- Download and complete the mandatory templates (motivation letter, CV, eligibility declaration)
- Submit your complete application online before the deadline
- If applying with your own project, use the same templates with the dedicated section for self-proposed research
Important: Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
π Important Dates
| Stage | Date |
| 2nd Call Opens | January 2026 |
| Application Deadline | March 2026 |
| Candidate Evaluation | April 2026 |
| Online Interviews | May 2026 |
| Final Results Published | June 2026 |
| PhD Start Date | September / October 2026 |
The deadline for applications is March 2026 β act quickly if you are interested.
π Why Apply / Why Study at University of Angers
The University of Angers is a well-established public research university located in Angers, Loire Valley, France β one of the most liveable and culturally rich regions in Europe. Here is why BREATH stands out:
- EU-funded and professionally structured β you are employed as a researcher, not just a scholarship holder
- Interdisciplinary environment β your research spans multiple fields and disciplines
- International community β the programme attracts candidates from across the world
- Located in the Loire Valley β a UNESCO World Heritage region, known for its high quality of life, affordable cost of living, and beautiful surroundings
- Career development β structured training, mentorship, and professional development are built into the programme
- Open to your own project β rare flexibility to propose your own research idea within the programme’s scope
π Official Source
For full details, PhD topics, templates, and to start your application:
π BREATH PhD Programme β Official Website
π Apply Directly on Amethis Platform
π Scholarship Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Programme | BREATH MSCA Cofund PhD Programme |
| University | University of Angers |
| Country | France π«π· |
| Funded by | European Union β Horizon Europe |
| Level | PhD (Doctoral) |
| Duration | 36 months (3 years) |
| Open To | All International Students |
| Fields | Health, Social Sciences, Education, Economics, AI |
| Mobility Rule | Must not have lived in France 12+ months in last 3 years |
| Application Deadline | March 2026 |
| PhD Start | September / October 2026 |
| Official Link | breath.univ-angers.fr |
Explore more fully funded PhD scholarships in Europe at https://gradualin.com/category/scholarships/
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