This fellowship programme allows research units to host international researchers for stays of three to six months as part of the I-SITE excellence program led by the University of Montpellier.
From 2025, the research themes will focus on public policies and the governance of transitions. Selected researchers will receive comprehensive financial and logistical support.
Scientific context
Collaborations with researchers hosted through the Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions (MAK’IT) will contribute to the mission of the University of Montpellier and its partners. They will allow for the analysis and support of transitions towards sustainable development.
Contemporary societies are facing multiple, complex and cross-cutting challenges that question the sustainability of our development model and our ability to “live together as a society”. Whether it concerns environmental and climatic changes, demographic dynamics, political or technological developments – particularly those linked to digital technology – these changes are overturning our lifestyles as well as our models of production, consumption, work organisation, education, health, urban planning and mobility.
While these changes offer opportunities, they also carry risks of economic, political and social breakdown, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. They directly call into question the governance of our societies. Supporting transitions towards more sustainable and equitable development models has become a major challenge for public players and society as a whole.
The I-SITE of Montpellier offers a high-level research ecosystem on transitions towards sustainable development around its three pillars: feed, protect, and care.
The aim of this programme is to welcome fellows working on the governance of transitions from a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspective. It is open to researchers in the social sciences and any other discipline – in particular life and earth sciences, modelling, digital, etc. – whose work provides essential expertise for understanding and managing transitions.
Priority themes for 2025-2026
Particular – but not exclusive – attention will be given this year to three themes:
- Agroecology
- One Health
- Water reuse
