[Call for applications] Sciences Po - LSE PhD exchange programme 2026/2027

“Sciences Po - LSE PhD exchange programme” is a partnership between LSE and Sciences Po offering an exchange programme for all social science PhD students within the research centers of LSE and Sciences Po.

The main objectives of the programme are :

• To offer LSE and Sciences Po PhD students additional research resources (archival and advisory) and to introduce them to the academic culture, professional contacts and employment opportunities of another country.
• To offer LSE and Sciences Po PhD students an opportunity to visit the other institution and to work informally with one or more advisors on their PhD thesis research and/or on related publications and presentations, and to attend conferences and workshops both at the host institution and within the wider regional/national academic community.

 Please note that LSE can host two Sciences Po PhD students in the area of Social Science each academic year. The duration of the exchange will be one academic term and the department hosting the exchange student must offer a PhD programme.

The student interested in applying during the 2026-2027 academic year should be nominated to the Study Abroad office at LSE by their home institution. 

Eligibility and duration

• Students registered for PhD studies at either institution who have successfully completed at least one year of their studies, including any compulsory Masters level courses, are eligible for this Scheme. Where applicable, students should normally have been upgraded to full doctoral student status.
• Each exchange is limited to a minimum of 2 months and a maximum of 3 months.

Academic status

• Students remain registered as PhD students with their home institution. Overall supervision remains the responsibility of the supervisor(s) at the student’s home institution.
• Students are registered as research exchange students in the relevant academic unit of the host institution during their visit.

Fees and financial support

• No academic-related fees will be payable by exchange students to the host institution for e.g. tuition, entrance, examinations, library, email. This does not preclude the host institution from imposing a nominal fee for e.g. health insurance. Students  remain responsible for any applicable fees at their home institution.
• Sciences Po provides financial support in the form of a flat rate bursary of €2,500 euros to each student. The bursary is intended to contribute to the expenses of participating students, including those relating to travel, accommodation, living, educational materials and/or other education-related costs. Students are expected to make their own arrangements for housing.

 Application process 

The deadline for applications are: April 3 2026 for Autumn term ( 28 September – 11 December 2026).

As part of the application process, you are required to identify a suitable advisor at the School (in a department which offers a PhD programme) and prepare the following documents:

• Up-to-date curriculum vitae; 
• Short letter of support/reference from home supervisor; 
• Confirmation from proposed LSE advisor of willingness to host;
• Copy of your most recent PhD progress report (if applicable); 
• Evidence of English language ability; and 
• Statement of Academic Purpose explaining: Progress towards completion of your research; Why a visit to the host partner institution would benefit you and what you intend to do here; A timetable for your work during the visit; indicating the scholar(s) with whom you hope to work with. 

Please review our GO LSE PhD Programme webpage here.

Please send your application to : julijana.lecherf@sciencespo.fr

If you have any questions related to your stay at LSE, please contact :  Will Breare-Hall  , Deputy Head of Student Recruitment (International Study Abroad) | Academic Registrar’s Division at ard.exchanges@lse.ac.uk

Students have sufficient English Language ability if they satisfy one of the following criteria:

1. A copy of a degree certificate for a degree (taught in English) from a UK university; or
2. A language certificate from one of the following accrediting bodies confirming that a candidate meets our English language requirements as set out below: