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HECOFUND2023–2028

AUFRANDE · Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-10-01 → 2028-09-30
EU contribution
€7,526,400
Participants
16
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-Cofund-D

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence

AUFRANDE (Australia–France Network of Doctoral Excellence) is an international doctoral training programme co-funded by the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA COFUND). It addresses a global challenge: the need for highly skilled researchers capable of tackling complex scientific, technological and societal issues through interdisciplinary, international and intersectoral collaboration. Led by RMIT Europe, AUFRANDE strengthens research ties between France and Australia through a unique dual-doctorate framework. The programme has recruited 63 doctoral researchers (currently 59 active) from diverse backgrounds to work on cutting-edge projects in fields such as photonics, optics, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, advanced materials, and data science. Each researcher is employed by one of 20 French implementing partners and enrolled in two doctoral programmes—one in France and one in Australia—under a co-supervision agreement leading to a dual degree. Beyond international mobility, including a residential year in Australia, researchers benefit from close engagement with the non-academic sector through over 60 industry partners. They also receive a comprehensive training programme designed to develop technical expertise and transferable skills, opening doors to careers spanning academia, industry and policy-making. By combining academic excellence with industry engagement, AUFRANDE creates a collaborative ecosystem for innovation and knowledge exchange. Its impact goes far beyond scientific breakthroughs by • Laying the foundations for long-term collaborations, reinforcing science as a bridge between continents. • Promoting improved supervision models and the exchange of best practices among universities and research teams. • Enhancing researcher employability through transferable skills and intersectoral experiences. • Accelerating the translation of research into practical solutions with high commercial and societal value.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

AUFRANDE is a highly ambitious 15.6M€ interdisciplinary doctoral training program linking France and Australia through 64 unique doctoral training positions. Led by RMIT Europe with participation of 22 French and 15 Australian academic partners and supported by over 40 non-academic partners, AUFRANDE aims to create a critical mass of collaborative doctoral training agreements between multiple institutions across France and Australia, reinforced with regular events where Candidates and Supervisors come together, share common experiences and build a sustainable community. The many legal and procedural elements developed to link the French and Australian research ecosystems during AUFRANDE implementation will lay a strong foundation for long-term impact on future collaborations and careers.To ensure that AUFRANDE attracts top talent globally, all Candidates will:- dual-enrol, earning doctoral degrees from both France and Australia,- be employed in France on attractive salaries with full social security benefits,- able to extend contracts up to 3.5 years, giving ample time to complete secondments, research and training activities,- spend up to 12 months on secondment in Australia, with generous 10,000€ travel allowance.Additionally:- Each position will be advertised with at least three topics to choose from, proposed bottom-up by Supervisors across all disciplines. - All research projects will have the direct involvement of a non-academic partner, ensuring inter-sectoral experiences and societal relevance of the research,- Training schools will be held regularly at multiple locations across France and Australia, bringing Candidates and Supervisor together to learn and network.- Dissemination will aim to attract female, at-risk and widening countries applicants,- Best practises in international co-supervision and doctoral training will be documented and shared with the international community.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • ROYAL MELBOURNE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SPAIN SL · MadridCoordinatorSpain
  • DEAKIN UNIVERSITY · GEELONG VICTORIAAustralia
  • JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY · TownsvilleAustralia
  • MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY · SydneyAustralia
  • MONASH UNIVERSITY · VictoriaAustralia
  • QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - QLD QUT · BrisbaneAustralia
  • ROYAL MELBOURNE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY*RMIT UNIVERSITY · MelbourneAustralia
  • SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY · VictoriaAustralia
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE · AdelaideAustralia
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY · SydneyAustralia
  • The Flinders University of South Australia · AdelaideAustralia
  • UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE · MelbourneAustralia
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES · SydneyAustralia
  • UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA · AdelaideAustralia
  • UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY · SydneyAustralia
  • University of Tasmania, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies · HobartAustralia

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union