About the Courants du monde call for applications
What is the Courants du monde call for applications?
This short collective program is aimed at cultural professionals from abroad who are involved in issues related to the management of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage at risk due to climate change and the rising frequency of related disasters. Its objectives are to present France's actions at the national, European and multilateral levels, while enabling participants to exchange views on their practices, questions and challenges within the group and with their counterparts in France.
To achieve this goal, the program will cover a wide range of themes such as:
- France's interministerial policy on the protection of Heritage in the face of natural disasters and climate change
- The state of research on the effects of climate change on tangible and intangible heritage
- Training of stakeholders on these issues
- Evacuation procedures in the event of natural disasters (the role of civil protection)
- France's engagement in the activities of European organisations (EU, Council of Europe) and multilateral bodies (UNESCO, ALIPH), and international solidarity mechanisms
The program will offer meetings with the various stakeholders involved in this issue in France, both at the policy level (interministerial cooperation, civil protection, European and international commitments, international solidarity mechanisms) and in the fields of research and professional training.
This program constitutes the first part of a two-part series on the protection of heritage at risk. The second will be scheduled for 2027 and will focus on heritage at risk due to conflicts and geopolitical crises.
Objectives
Organised around meetings, dedicated visits, and institutional presentations — in Paris and in the regions — between foreign professionals and the various French stakeholders involved in these issues (heritage professionals, public administrators, civil society), the program aims to:
- Exchange views among peers,
- Share expertise,
- Collectively reflect on new avenues for responses drawing on better coordination and greater solidarity,
- Become part of international professional networks engaged on these issues,
- Present the partnerships that France is building within the European and multilateral framework (UNESCO, ALIPH, Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action).
Am I eligible?
- Individuals
English-speaking professionals and public decision-makers working in the heritage sector or at the intersection of cultural and climate policies who wish to share their expertise among peers on the protection of heritage at risk due to climate change.
The call for applications is more particularly orientated towards professionals in management positions such as research program managers and senior administrative officials.
Only foreign cultural professionals who are proficient in English will be considered for this program as all exchanges will be conducted in English.
The program is not open to artists, students, teachers, researchers, or agents of the French cultural network abroad (Cooperation and Cultural Action Services of the French Embassy, Alliances Françaises, Instituts Français) who may benefit from other programs.
The Ministry of Culture will cover the following expenses for participants upon their arrival in France :
- Program costs and organisation,
- Accommodation,
- Meals,
- Transportation,
- Insurance coverage in France.
Please note : international travel expenses and visa fees (if applicable) are not covered by the program. These expenses must be borne by the selected applicants, their employer, the French Embassy or the local French Institute, or any other sponsor.
Selection process
All applications are assessed against the following criteria :
- Quality of the professional initiative underlying the application the applicant’s motivation,
- Impact on the applicant's home institution,
- Prospects for developing further cooperations with French institutions.
- Application submissions deadline: May 22nd, 2026, 11:59 PM (Paris time). No applications will be accepted or considered after this date. We recommend submitting your application well in advance, as it will automatically be sent to the Cooperation and Cultural Action Services (SCAC) of the French Embassy or your local French Institute for a preliminary review, which must also be completed before the deadline of May 22nd, 2026.
- Applicant selection: June 9th, 2026
- The final list of selected applicants will be disclosed to the Cooperation and Cultural Action Services of the French Embassy or your local French Institute by the end of June 2026.
- Scheduled stay in France : October 6th-14th, 2026
- Click on the 'Access the form' button at the bottom of the page to access the online form.
- Log in or set up an account and then follow the instructions.
- Please note: Several fields are required when you fill out the form. If these fields are left blank, you will not be able to submit your application! Please note in particular that you must have the email address of your contact person at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in your area of assignment or at the Institut français, as this person must provide feedback on your application.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the call for applications, please contact:
Secrétariat Général (SG)
Service des affaires juridiques et internationales (SAJI) > Sous-direction des affaires européennes et internationales > Bureau des affaires internationales et multilatérales
contact-international@culture.gouv.fr ou camille.simon@culture.gouv.fr
01 40 15 35 57
182, rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris
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