The doctoral research project

The preparation of a doctorate is based on a doctoral research project that defines the framework and content of the education of the future doctoral candidate's research and specifies the conditions of completion. This project must enable the doctoral candidate to acquire high-level scientific skills and gain professional know-how. 

The doctoral research project

Each doctoral research project is validated by the doctoral school to which it is attached, which ensures that it is scientific and innovative, and that it is feasible within the given timeframe. Validated doctoral research projects are posted and disseminated on the websites of the doctoral schools.

Each doctoral research project must specify:

  • The research unit in which the doctoral candidate will work, the thesis director and any co-supervisors;
  • The scientific context, the current state of knowledge in the field of research concerned;
  • The scientific aims of the research project and the identification of what could constitute the originality of the scientific work, as perceived at the start of the project;
  • The tools and methods to be implemented, the anticipated phases of the project and any scientific collaborations to be considered;
  • The scientific, material and financial conditions necessary to guarantee the smooth running of the doctoral project;
  • Management conditions.

Note: a candidate may participate in the design of a doctoral research project, but it is the thesis director who assumes scientific responsibility for it and who submits the project for validation to the doctoral school.