Paris-IAS

Academic project
The Paris Institute for Advanced Study is defined first and foremost by the diversity of the research conducted there and by its role as a forum for scientific discussions, both among the fellows and with the scientific community in general. Its purpose is to serve as a laboratory for ideas, where new paradigms are developed and established borders transgressed, through the cohabitation of different fields, research topics and methodological traditions. Alongside the multi-thematic research that is at the core of its identity, IAS-Paris is currently developing two more specific areas of scientific investigation: the first focuses on the dialogue between the SSH and life sciences (particularly neurosciences), the second on energy.

Organisation and management
The IAS was founded in 2008 under the auspices of the Fondation Maison des sciences de l’homme (FMSH), the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) and the École normale supérieure (ENS). It became an independent institution with its own legal personality in 2011. In 2016, it was supported by 11 of the main universities and research institutions in the Paris area, as well as by the FMSH, the City of Paris and the Regional Council of the Île-de-France region.
Gretty Mirdal, professor of psychology at the University of Copenhagen, has been the director of IAS-Paris since October 2012. The chair of the Board of Trustees is Dominique Schnapper, research director at the EHESS.
IAS-Paris has two governance bodies, the General Assembly and the Board of Trustees. The General Assembly comprises three colleges: the college of donors, the college of academic institutions and the college of prominent, qualified persons. The Board of Trustees is smaller, bringing together the college of donating members and two representatives of the college of academic institutions and the college of six qualified persons.
The Scientific Advisory Board chaired by the Historian Carla Hesse (University of California, Berkeley) is composed of researchers characterised by their level of excellence, international stature and broad-mindedness. It advises the IAS management on scientific matters and selects future fellows after the call for applications and the evaluation process.

Reception of fellows
Since November 2013, the IAS has been established in the heart of Paris on the Île Saint-Louis, in the Hôtel de Lauzun, a 17th-century building that over the years has been inhabited by a number of historical personages and famous artists. This exceptional site can accommodate up to 25 researchers at a time, in modern, functional premises within a preserved historical setting.
Fellows have the option of residing in the Maison Suger, a residence for researchers in the Latin Quarter; in the Résidence internationale des Récollets; or in private rental housing. While remaining free to organise their time as they wish, fellows are encouraged to contribute as much as possible to the daily activities (academic, social and cultural) of the institute. They also engage with the Île-de-France, national and international research communities by presenting their research in various seminars, colloquia and lectures. The IAS provides them with logistical and financial support for the organisation of scientific events or for any other research project or initiative related to their work (travel, publications). Fellows also benefit from special access to a network of university libraries in Paris and a document delivery service at the institute.

In 2015-2016, IAS-Paris hosted 25 international fellows, for a total of 180 researcher-months. Its invitation capacity is 200 researcher-months per academic year.