The Smart Loire Valley Programme call for applications does not target any specific research themes. It is open to experienced international researchers in all disciplines wishing to join a research laboratory in region Centre-Val de Loire (including universities, public research institutions and enterprises). The call for applications, open from November each year to February next year, offers different innovative award formats designed to stimulate international scientific exchanges, to increase interdisciplinary research, to create synergies between academic disciplines and links with the industrial world and foster socio-economic development. The programme aims to develop outward looking interdisciplinary teams with a reputation in developing the EU economic landscape. Candidates and proposals are evaluated by independent external peer reviewers and an international independent Scientific Council to select the best candidates and high added-value research projects.
The research grants varies between 3 to 12 months and for fellowships, professorships and visiting researchers having at least 5 years of post-doc experience. Selected researchers will get access to academic laboratories as well as regional research centres including Université d’Orléans, Université de Tours, INSA Centre Val de Loire, ESAD Orléans, Centre INRAE Val de Loire, Inserm, CEA, BRGM…
The programme covers the researcher salary for a whole year, accommodation and all the administrative aspects to welcome his/her family. Besides the organisation of an international conference of two to three days is also covered by the programme.