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CFA | TANDEM CNRS-SAV PROGRAM, 2026-2027

The Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV), the French Research Centre in Humanities and Social Sciences in Prague (CEFRES) and the CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences (CNRS HSS) are launching the second call for applications for the Tandem incubator program dedicated to researchers from the Slovak Academy of Sciences and CNRS.

 GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

The Tandem CNRS-SAV program endeavours excellency in social sciences and humanities by bringing together Slovak and French colleagues to intensify scientific collaboration between our countries in the frame of European Research Area. It benefits from the experience of two Czech-French Tandem program schemes at CEFRES, whose former members have obtained two ERC grants, incl. the BOAR project.

The aim of the newly launched program initiated in 2024 is to associate one SAV researcher and one CNRS HSS or affiliated to CNRS HSS researcher (i.e. member of an UMR – mixed research unit between CNRS and French universities) around a joint research project. CEFRES (see contacts below) may help CNRS (or SAV) applicants to find potential SAV (or CNRS) research partners. This collaboration will lead to reinforcing Slovak-French scientific collaborations through the submission of a project proposal at the latest one year after the end of the program:

  • in an ERC call;
  • in other calls of the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation (Horizon Europe);
  • in other calls supporting excellent research of comparable significance (with approval of the coordinators of the program), e. g. calls of the French Science Foundation (ANR).

Important: In case of ERC (or similar) calls with one PI only, the TANDEM partners shall decide which of them will submit the application.

ORGANIZATION AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

One TANDEM team will be selected and will work for two years, from January 2026 (Jan 1, 2026–December 31, 2027). The Tandem team will be composed of:

  • one SAV researcher, benefitting from financial support granted by SAV (in the case of applying for Horizon Europe project, one post-doc[1] or PhD student could be associated to the research team);
  • one CNRS researcher, benefitting from financial support granted by  CNRS HSS (specific CNRS international mobility support, soutien à la mobilité internationale, SMI).

During the joint research period devoted to the preparation of common research project application (ERC, Horizon Europe, ANR or equivalent scheme), the Tandem recipients are expected to:

  • present their project during an open kick-off in Slovakia (January/February 2026);
  • organize one Slovak-French or (Central-)European scientific event (workshop, seminar, conference) at the SAV and one at CEFRES;
  • participate in seminars, workshops and consultations supporting ERC applicants in case they will chose to submit such a project: in particular, they will be offered the CNRS HSS dedicated support in developing European research applications.

 ELIGIBILITY

At SAV, the call is open to humanities and social sciences as well as to interdisciplinary projects: the program is open to researchers from all three SAV Science Departments.

The French partner needs to be eligible for an CNRS HSS SMI – Soutien à la mobilité internationale, available to ca 10 000 researchers, academics, and engineers from over 300 research structures.

The SAV partner:

  • needs to obtain a positive statement from the statutory body of the home SAV Institute or Centre;
  • has to send the completed application form;
  • has to send the project plan, identical as the one sent by his TANDEM partner (max 3 pages);
  • has to send his/her CV;
  • is expected to demonstrate experience in project management.

The CNRS partner:

  • is a member of permanent staff (MCF – maître de conférences ; PR – professeur; CR – chargé/e de recherche ; DR – directeur/directrice de recherche ; IR – ingénieur(e) de recherche) of a research unit belonging to a section of CNRS HSS and for which the CNRS is the supervisor or co-supervisor:
        • Ancient and medieval worlds (section 34)
        • Modern and Contemporary Worlds (section 35)
        • Language sciences (section 36)
        • Philosophy, epistemology, history of sciences (section 37)
        • Literature, arts, aesthetics, creation (section 38)
        • Sociology and legal studies (section 39)
        • Economics and management (section 40)
        • Anthropology and comparative studies of contemporary societies (section 41)
        • Spaces, Territories, Societies (section 42)
        • Politics, Power Organisation (section 43)
        • Important: PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows and members of university laboratories funded solely by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) are not eligible (in particular: neither EA – équipes d’accueil, nor UR – unités de recherche).
  • has to send a completed application form
  • has to send the project plan, identical as the one sent by his TANDEM partner (max 3 pages);
  • has to send his/her CV;
  • is expected to demonstrate experience in project management.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Good knowledge of English is required and sufficient to participate in the Tandem call. The selection will be based on the potential of the Tandem team to submit a successful project proposal in an ERC, Horizon Europe, ANR or similar call described above.

The evaluation committee is composed of representatives of the SAV, CEFRES and CNRS. It is based on the Joint SAV – CEFRES Experts’ Committee.

It is highly recommended the applicants contact the program coordinators on behalf of SAV & CEFRES before submitting their proposal: an ad-hoc webinar to discuss both scientific and practical issues may be organized if needed.

IMPORTANT: Information on the TANDEM program is published simultaneously on SAV website and on the website of the SAV Department of International Cooperation (OMS) (for SAV researchers)
and
by CEFRES and CNRS HSS (for CNRS or affiliated researchers).
The calls are identical and the procedure unique as described below.

APPLICATION FORM

 FUNDING

  • The SAV researcher receives a financial support of 8 750 €/year for regular research stays in France and at CEFRES from the funds earmarked for excellent research at SAV: the principles for the use of funds in the TANDEM program are described by the Financial Rules. In case of failure to submit any of the projects in the above calls, the home SAV Institute or Center will be required to reimburse the funds. The relevant SAV Institute or Centre should be at least an institutional partner in the final project proposal, which is to be submitted following the conclusion of the Tandem CNRS-SAV program, 2026-2027.
  • The CNRS or affiliated researcher will benefit from a maximal support of 17 500 €/year for regular research stays in Slovakia and at CEFRES, granted by a specific CNRS HSS mobility grant (soutien à la mobilité internationale, SMI)
  • The TANDEM research partners will benefit from additional funding:
    • of a minimal amount of 1 500 € granted by the French Institute in Slovakia (IFS) for the organization of one scientific event in Slovakia
    • of a minimal amount of 1 500 € granted by CEFRES for the organization of one scientific event at CEFRES in Prague.

SCHEDULE

June 1, 2025 : Opening of the call
September 30, 2025, 23:59 CET : Deadline for submissions
October 2025 : Selection of the team by the Selection Committee
November 2025 : Announcement of the results
January 1, 2026 : Launch of the selected project
January/February 2026 : Kick-off event presenting the project in Slovakia
December 2026 : Monitoring report of scientific advancements (its approval by the SAV-CEFRES Experts’ Committee is prerequisite for obtaining financial funding for next calendar year)
December 31, 2027 : End of the project funding period
Before December 31, 2028 : Grant application

CONTACTS

Please send any inquiries related to your TANDEM application to the following coordinators:

[1] Up to eight years after obtaining PhD. (or equivalent).