The Carnot Foundation, placed under the aegis of the Fondation de France, awards each year a maximum of two research grants abroad amounting to 6000 euros for graduates of the Institut national du patrimoine, the Ecole nationale du patrimoine (ENP/IFROA) or the Institut Français de Restauration des Œuvres d'Art (IFROA). Applicants must submit a research project, where appropriate linked to their professional activity, and involving collaboration with one or more institutions abroad.

The research carried out thanks to the Carnot Foundation scholarship must be the subject of a publication at the end of the stay and of a report transmitted to the Carnot Foundation, at the latest 3 months after the return to France of the scholarship recipient. A detailed account of the expenses corresponding to the amount of the grant must be attached.

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Application file

The application must present a detailed research project, strongly argued, and justifying a stay abroad (3 to 6 months). Heritage curators may propose any project related to history, art history, archaeology, ethnology, natural sciences or the history of science and technology. Heritage restorers may propose any research on the implementation techniques, constituent materials and conservation-restoration materials carried out as part of a conservation-restoration project for works and objects of art.

The application must be accompanied by a personal letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae, one or more letters from the host country institution(s) associated with the project and, where required, the written agreement of the applicant's hierarchical superior.

A forecast detailed budget (including income and expenses during the stay abroad) must be attached to the file. Financial assistance from outside the Carnot Foundation scholarship is encouraged.

The application file should be sent to Director of Studies of the Curator's Department or  Olivier Zeder, Director of Studies of the Conservator's Department.

Closing date for applications: 1 October at the latest 

Selection procedures

The pre-selection of candidates is made on file by the directors of the respective departments.

It is followed by an interview in November-December of the current year with the Carnot Foundation jury for final eligibility.

The jury is chaired by Emmanuel Starcky, director of the Musée des Plans-reliefs. It is composed of leading scientists and may be assisted by specialised recordeurs.

Beneficiary status 

These scholarships may be awarded to curators of the State, the City of Paris or regional authorities, independent heritage conservators, employees (or civil servants) of a public institution or a public body.

The dates of stay abroad will be agreed with the head of department. 

For heritage curators

For state curators, these scholarships do not represent a remuneration for the beneficiaries, who also retain the overall salary (including bonuses) relating to their grade and paid by their employer (ministry, national public institution). During their stay abroad, curators who are recipients of the scholarship are placed on mission abroad at no cost for their employer.

The head of department signs the corresponding free mission order. Research projects submitted by state curators must be related to the activity of their department or institution of assignment.

For the territorial conservatives and those of the City of Paris, the agreement of the regional authority is also necessary. Depending on the case, either the community will agree to maintain the heritage curator's remuneration or the person concerned will ask to be placed on standby.

For heritage conservators

If the restorer is civil servant or employee of a public institution or a public agency, his application must be accompanied by the agreement of the head of department concerned, liable to be considered as inadmissible.

Depending on the case, either the remuneration of the heritage restorer may be maintained or the person concerned may be placed on standby / in extended leave.