A Prestigious Opportunity: Fellowship in Artificial Intelligence at PRAIRIE Institute
France continues to solidify its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence through the ambitious PR[AI]RIE-PSAI project. As part of this strategy, the PRAIRIE Institute—one of the four French AI interdisciplinary institutes (3IA)—is launching a major recruitment drive for 15 new Fellows in Artificial Intelligence, set to begin on September 1, 2025.
This prestigious initiative is backed by €75 million in funding from the France 2030 IA Cluster Program, emphasizing the nation’s long-term vision for advancing both foundational and applied AI research.
About PRAIRIE: A World-Class AI Institute
Founded in 2019, the PRAIRIE Institute (PaRis Artificial Intelligence Research InstitutE) is based in Paris and is hosted by PSL University, which includes 11 elite academic and research institutions. PRAIRIE unites some of France’s most accomplished AI researchers in an interdisciplinary ecosystem that bridges mathematics, computer science, physics, cognitive sciences, biology, medicine, humanities, and social sciences.
The institute’s mission is twofold:
- To advance the state-of-the-art in AI through fundamental research.
- To accelerate the adoption of AI in society and industry through collaboration and education.
Fellowship Program Highlights
The PRAIRIE Fellowship offers a 3-year position, with a potential extension, and is tailored for early-career researchers. Fellows are expected to develop innovative AI research and contribute meaningfully to education within PSL University. Each fellow will receive start-up funding, integration support, and will benefit from a vibrant community of PRAIRIE Chairs, industrial partners, and research labs.
Key Features:
- Start Date: September 1, 2025
- Duration: 3 years (renewable)
- Number of Positions: 15
- Eligibility: PhD holders with postdoctoral experience; excellent research profile in AI or related fields
- Institutional Host: PSL University (Paris)
- Affiliation with Major Research Labs: CNRS, Inria, Inrae, Inserm
Interdisciplinary Research Focus
The PRAIRIE Fellowship encourages researchers working at the crossroads of AI and other disciplines. Applicants are invited from domains including:
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Physics & Engineering
- Cognitive Science & Psychology
- Biology & Medicine
- Economics & Humanities
The program specifically fosters transdisciplinary research. Each applicant is expected to indicate potential collaborations with existing PRAIRIE Chairs, ensuring strong integration within the ecosystem.
Teaching and Pedagogical Contribution
Beyond research, fellows are expected to actively engage in educational activities:
- Teaching in undergraduate and graduate programs across PSL’s schools.
- Involvement in doctoral supervision.
- Contribution to new course development that bridges AI with emerging societal and scientific challenges.
Industrial and Societal Collaboration
PRAIRIE benefits from a network of over 20 industrial partners (such as Google, Facebook AI Research, and DeepMind), along with public-sector collaborations. Fellows will have opportunities to:
- Work on joint projects.
- Access data and compute resources.
- Participate in internships or sabbatical exchanges with industry.
This provides a unique balance between academic freedom and real-world impact, allowing researchers to shape technologies that influence society, economy, and policy.
Application Process
Important Dates:
- Application Deadline: October 14, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Paris time)
- Notification of Finalists: January 2025
- Final Selection: March 2025
Required Materials:
- Detailed CV
- Research project proposal
- Teaching statement
- Up to three letters of recommendation
- Statement of potential collaborations within PRAIRIE
Applicants must apply through the official PRAIRIE portal.
For detailed application information, visit: PRAIRIE Fellowship Official Page
