Call for Applications: Anténor Firmin Doctoral Mobility Program (Haiti)

French Embassy in Haiti, Bank of the Republic of Haiti, and Institute of Research for Development have launched the 6th edition of the Anténor Firmin Program to support doctoral mobility between Haiti and France. The program funds multi-year PhD research stays abroad (up to 6 months per year) to strengthen academic collaboration and research training. It focuses on priority research fields such as climate change, education, health, biodiversity, and renewable energy.

Overview 

The Anténor Firmin Program is a doctoral mobility initiative jointly supported by:

• French Embassy in Haiti
• Bank of the Republic of Haiti
• Institute of Research for Development

It aims to strengthen scientific cooperation between Haiti and France by enabling structured international doctoral research stays.

The program supports PhD candidates through co-supervised research and international academic mobility.

Key Objectives

The program is designed to:

• Strengthen doctoral research training
• Promote Haiti–France scientific collaboration
• Support international co-supervised PhD programs
• Enhance research capacity in Haitian universities
• Encourage academic mobility and exposure

Priority Research Areas

The program focuses on strategic development and scientific themes:

• Climate change and environmental risks
• Educational innovation and educational technologies
• Language, intercomprehension, and cultural studies
• Memory studies and population movements
• Water, sanitation, seas, and renewable energy
• Health systems and public health research
• Biodiversity and food security
• Economics, finance, and banking

These areas align with national development and global sustainability priorities.

Funding and Mobility Structure

The program provides:

• Multi-year doctoral mobility support (up to 3 years total)
• Research stays abroad of up to 6 months per academic year
• Structured co-supervision between Haiti and France
• Financial support for international research mobility

This structure allows PhD students to split their research between home and host institutions.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be Haitian nationals residing in Haiti
• Hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent research qualification
• Be enrolled in or entering a PhD program with co-supervision between Haiti and France
• Secure approval from both a Haitian supervisor and a French co-supervisor

Priority is given to:

• Academic staff in Haitian universities
• Female researchers
• Teachers, lecturers, and temporary academic staff pursuing doctoral studies

Eligibility Pathways

Applicants must meet one of the following:

• Enrolling in the first year of a 3-year PhD with joint Haiti–France supervision
• Already in the second or third year of a PhD with existing co-supervision

What the Program Supports

The program supports:

• International research placements in France
• Joint academic supervision
• Collaborative PhD research projects
• Capacity-building in Haitian higher education

What the Program Does Not Fund

The program does NOT typically support:

• Non-co-supervised PhD programs
• Short-term research without doctoral affiliation
• Candidates without supervisor approval
• Applicants outside Haiti or without Haitian nationality

How It Works (Step-by-Step)

1. Candidate identifies eligible PhD research topic
2. Secures supervision in Haiti and France
3. Ensures co-supervision agreement is formalized
4. Applies for the Anténor Firmin Program (2026/2027 cycle)
5. Application is reviewed by program partners
6. Selected candidates receive mobility funding
7. Research stays are implemented over the PhD duration

Why the Program Matters

This initiative strengthens:

• International academic cooperation
• Research quality in Haitian universities
• Capacity-building in critical scientific fields
• Long-term knowledge transfer between Haiti and France

It also helps integrate Haitian researchers into global academic networks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without a co-supervisor in France
• Missing Haitian nationality or residency requirement
• Submitting outside approved research fields
• Not having a formal PhD enrollment plan
• Incomplete supervisor approvals

Tips for a Strong Application

• Align research with listed priority themes
• Secure supervisors early in both countries
• Emphasize academic and societal impact
• Highlight experience in teaching or research (especially for priority candidates)
• Ensure co-supervision agreement is clearly documented

FAQ

What is the Anténor Firmin Program?
It is a doctoral mobility program supporting PhD students from Haiti for research stays in France under co-supervision.

Who funds the program?
It is supported by French Embassy in Haiti, Bank of the Republic of Haiti, and Institute of Research for Development.

How long is the funding support?
Up to 3 years, with research stays of up to 6 months per academic year.

Who can apply?
Haitian nationals with a Master’s degree enrolled in or entering a co-supervised PhD program between Haiti and France.

Is co-supervision required?
Yes, applicants must have supervisors in both Haiti and France.

Who gets priority?
Academic staff, especially female researchers in Haitian universities.

What fields are supported?
Climate, health, education, biodiversity, renewable energy, economics, and related fields.

Conclusion

The Anténor Firmin Program, led by French Embassy in Haiti and partners, is a structured doctoral mobility initiative designed to strengthen research capacity through Haiti–France academic collaboration. It enables PhD scholars to access international training, co-supervision, and long-term research exposure in high-priority scientific fields.