PSL Seed Package : Call for proposals 2026

The maximum amount granted will be €15,000 (inclusive of management fees, with the lead institution entitled to a management fee of 3% of expenses, i.e. a maximum amount of €437).

It is not possible to apply simultaneously to this call and to the “PSL Young Researcher Starting Grants 2026” call for proposals.

Eligible profiles

• Tenured researchers from members of PSL University (MCF or equivalent), or from national reasearch organizations within the perimeter of PSL University (CR or equivalent), recruited less than 2 years prior to the application date ;
• The host institution of the applicant must be a founding members of PSL University ;

Candidates, regardless of their profile, must have defended their PhD within the seven calendar years preceding the year of application submission, i.e., after January 1st, 2019.

• Maternity leave : One additional year of eligibility will be granted per child. A sworn statement or supporting document must be provided ;
• Paternity leave : An extension of eligibility may be granted, with duration determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact dir_recherche@psl.eu ;
• Disability : Candidates with disabilities who defended their thesis more than 7 years before the application year may benefit from an eligibility extension (up to 12 years). This extension will be granted upon presentation of a Recognition of the Status of Disabled Worker (Reconnaissance de la Qualité de Travailleur Handicapé – RQTH) document or any equivalent proof.

** If you are on a tenure-track contract, contact the research department of your institution, which will forward the justified request for exemption to dir_recherche@psl.eu

Ineligible candidates

• Researchers who are currently or have previously been recipients of an ERC grant ; 
• Individuals who have applied to the “PSL Young Researcher Starting Grant” call for proposals.

Submission conditions

Project submission is done in a single step via the submission platform : PSL SEED PACKAGE APPLICATION FORM. Complete applications must be submitted on this platform no later than Monday, 13th of April 11:59 P.M.

To complete your application, in addition to filling out the required information directly on the platform, you must upload the following supporting documents in .PDF format on the submission platform: 

• Research project (no specific format required, 2-3 pages maximum), including a budget ;
• Candidate’s short resume.

Provisional Timeline

• Monday, 13th of April 2026, 23:59 (Paris time) : Deadline for submission on the platform ;
• June 2026 : Jury and announcement of final results.