CLEAR-Doc

A COFUND PROGRAMME

CLEAR-Doc (City Lab Education And Research Doctoral Programme) is a project of the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND programme, which aims to encourage excellence in the training, mobility and career development of researchers, for international, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary research.

It is an international doctoral programme that has made it possible to recruit promising young researchers from all over the world on 3-year doctoral contracts. The programme is co-financed by the European Commission, Université Gustave Eiffel and 5 socio-economic partners: the Pays de Loire Region, Eiffage, AREP, the University of Bolzano (IT) and the University of Bologna (IT).

The subjects of the theses, proposed by Université Gustave Eiffel in a wide range of disciplines, are in line with the United Nations' sustainable development objectives: 

Challenge 1: Design and develop resource-efficient urban spaces 
Challenge 2: Understanding and managing 'urban risks' for resilient cities 
Challenge 3: Develop the digital city and make it a catalyst for social, environmental and economic performance


This doctoral programme focuses on all areas of research related to the City of Tomorrow, including living conditions and mobility.
There have been two calls for applications:

  • 2022: 60 thesis topics proposed by 12 research components, 115 applications received, 14 doctoral students selected.
  • 2023: 64 thesis topics proposed by 12 research components, 107 applications received, 16 doctoral students selected.


The doctoral students, spread across the University's different campuses, benefit from easy access to the major research facilities on campus to help them carry out their work, as well as excellent supervision for the preparation of their thesis, personalised support and specific training to help them achieve their career goals.

CLEAR-doc has received co-funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND grant agreement no. 101034248.

5 co-funding partners Pays de Loire Region, Eiffage, AREP, University of Bolzano (IT), University of Bologna (IT)

WHAT IS A MSCA COFUND PROGRAMME ?

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND scheme aims to stimulate new or existing regional, national or international programmes to foster excellence in researchers' training, mobility and career development, for international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary (3i) research.

The programme's objectives are to :

  • ♦ Improve and diversify the set of skills, that will lead to improved employability
  • ♦ Forge new mind sets and approaches to research and innovation work through interdisciplinary and intersectoral experience
  • ♦ Enhance networking and communication capacities with scientific peers, as well as with the general public, that will increase and broaden the research and innovation impact
  • ♦ Increase the attractiveness of the participating organisation(s), and Europe as destination for research and innovation
  • ♦ Boost research and innovation and strengthening of 3i collaborative networks
  • ♦ Align practices and policies in the context of the HRS4R, and improve the working conditions, structuring of a stronger ERA
  • ♦ Support the practice of Open Science
  • ♦ Increase in 3i mobility of researchers in Europe