Call for Applications | 2026 IVADO-Inria Initiative

Following the success of the first edition, IVADO and Inria are renewing the France-Quebec exchange semester initiative focused on artificial intelligence, with the aim of facilitating scientific collaboration and strengthening ties between the French and Quebec research ecosystems in the field of artificial intelligence.

As part of the second edition of this initiative, the following will be organized:

• Scientific stays (mobility between France and Quebec and Quebec and France): duration of 2 to 5 weeks, between mid-June and mid-November 2026. 
• A closing scientific conference in December in Paris.

Themes

Visiting projects must be in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and are particularly encouraged in the following themes: 

• AI and health
• AI and neuroscience
• Machine learning, Automatic natural language processing
• Responsible and ethical governance of AI, Trusted AI
• AI and materials science
• AI and the environment
• AI, supply chains and mobility systems

Selection criteria

• Scientific relevance: alignment of the project with IVADO’s AI priorities and the RAI3 vision (robust, reasoning, and responsible AI).
• Potential for collaboration: the project’s ability to initiate or strengthen Franco-Quebec collaboration, clarity of objectives, feasibility of joint activities (seminars, co-supervision, scientific production, project submissions, etc.).

Applications demonstrating both strong potential for collaboration and strong scientific relevance will be prioritized.

Eligibility

Visiting projects can be part of an existing collaboration or initiate a new Franco-Quebec collaboration.

A. Applicants based in France (stay in Quebec)

Are eligible: 

• Researchers who are members of Inria project teams (except postdoctoral fellows and doctoral students, who are invited to apply to the Mitacs Globalink program for their mobility to Canada);
• Researchers affiliated with one of the 9 IA Clusters selected as part of the France 2030 plan: : PR[AI]RIE, MIAI Cluster, Hi! PARIS, PostGenAI@Paris, ENACT, DATAAI-Cluster, ANITI IA Cluster, 3IA Côte d’Azur 2030, SequoIA.

B. Candidates based in Quebec (stay in France)

Are eligible:

• Professors affiliated with one of IVADO’s five university partners: Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université Laval, and McGill University.

Non-eligibility

• Members of an Inria Associated Team with Quebec are not eligible for this funding.
• Researchers who have already been awarded funding under this initiative in 2025 are not eligible in 2026.

Financial Support

A. France → Quebec Mobility

• Plane tickets and local expenses are covered by a lump sum calculated pro rata to the duration of the stay (between 2 500 and 4 500 euros).
• Up to 10 research stays will be funded under this call for proposals.

B. Quebec → France Mobility

• Plane tickets and local expenses are covered by a lump sum calculated pro rata to the duration of the stay (between 4 500 $ and 8 250 $ CAD).
• Up to 15 research stays will be funded under this call for proposals.

Responsibilities of the collaborating or visiting researcher

• Coordinate with their institution/group/center to arrange for the visiting researcher’s accommodation (workspace, access card, network and infrastructure access, etc.).
• Inform the scientific and student community of activities involving the visiting researcher during their stay (seminars, conferences, workshops, etc.).

Calendar

• March 6th, 2026: Launch of the initiative
• April 17th, 2026: Application deadline
• May 15th 2026: Announcement of results
• Mid-June to mid-November, 2026: Scientific stays (2 to 5 weeks)
• December 2026: Closing conference in Paris (hybrid format) between December 7 and 11. Date to be confirmed at a later date.

Application file

The application must include:

• The application form (downloadable from the IVADO and Inria websites).
• A signed letter from the researcher identified as a collaborator or host for the planned scientific stay (see terms and conditions below).

Submission procedure, connecting, and contacts

The application (form + letter of support) must be sent to: inria-canada@inria.fr

Any questions regarding the initiative, as well as requests to be put in touch with eligible researchers, can be sent to:

• inria-canada@inria.fr for candidates based in France (stay in Quebec)
• conferences@ivado.ca for candidates based in Quebec (stay in France)