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Missions of the Institut Pasteur MD-PhD Program
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Research Domains
Participants in the program can engage in a broad range of cutting-edge research domains, including (in frame with the Strategic Plan "Pasteur 2030"):
- Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
- One-Health (integrating human, animal, and environmental health)
- Climate Change and Diseases
- Outbreaks and Pandemics
- Immunology
- Neuroscience and Hearing
- Health and Disease at the Extremities of Life
Key Partnerships
The Institut Pasteur MD-PhD program is supported by extensive partnerships with outstanding research and academic institutions worldwide, ensuring a diverse and collaborative research and academic environment:
- French Universities: Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS) - Université Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL) and Institut Polytechnique de Paris.
- European Universities & Alliances: collaboration through Erasmus+ and other European programs, EUGLOH and Circle U alliances.
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) and other: strong ties with Greater Paris Hospitals.
- National Research Institutions: collaboration with Institut Imagine, Institut Curie, CNRS, Inserm.
- Private Foundations: partnering with organizations such as Amgen & Pasteur Foundation.
Program Structure
The Institut Pasteur MD-PhD program offers flexibility in how it integrates with the French and international medical academic curriculum. Participants of the program can gain hands-on research experience through an internship, pursue a PhD early before completing their medical studies, or embark on a PhD later after finishing their medical training
- Research Internship: Medical Students and MDs, PharmDs, VetDs have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in scientific research. These internships can serve as a foundation for those wanting to pursue a PhD, allowing them to explore research methodologies, collaborate with scientists, and integrate clinical insights into their studies.
- Early Thesis: Medical students can begin their PhD research along their of medical studies and then resume their medical studies once they graduate.
- Late Thesis: MDs, PharDs, VetDs who have completed their medical studies can transition into the PhD phase, usually lasting 3 years, during their residency or thereafter.
5 ways to enter the Institut Pasteur MD-PhD Program
Depending on your profile—whether you are a medical student or an MD, based in France or abroad—you can enter the MD-PhD Program through different curricula according to your academic background and career stage.
| 1. Médecine-Sciences Program |
2. International Program PPU-MD-PhD |
3. Hospital collaboration |
4. Lab-funded PhD contracts |
5. Erasmus+ and Bilateral Agreements |
1. Médecine-Sciences Program
This program is open to medical students affiliated with ENS-PSL and is available through a research internship or an early thesis.
In partnership with Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS) – Université Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL) and Institut Curie, the Médecine-Sciences Program integrates research into the medical curriculum (first year of master) for 3rd-year MD students. Students complete their second year of the master’s program, followed by one of two pathways:
- Research Internship: Students may resume their medical studies after the second year of their master’s, with the potential goal of completing a PhD during their residency. They retain their financial support during their 4th and, in some cases, 5th year of medical or pharmacy studies, depending on their status.
- Early Thesis: Students may choose to immediately pursue a three-year PhD, after which they return to their medical studies. They can benefit from doctoral contracts offered by the program’s various partners. Over three years, students earn an ENS diploma with financial support.
Medical students interested in the Médecine-Sciences Program are selected through a competitive process, which includes oral exams and an interview. In addition to scientific training, students may benefit from a wide range of courses at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS). The program also offers international opportunities, mentorship, and career prospects in academia and the health industry.
2. International program PPU-MD-PhD
This program is open to both French and international medical students through an early thesis and to medical doctors (MDs) through a late thesis.
The Institut Pasteur organizes an international doctoral program in collaboration with Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, and Université Paris Saclay, for medical students and MDs holding a master degree (or equivalent) in science, medicine and related fields. Selection of students for the PPU-MD-PhD program is made through the PPU selection process, starting with the selection of the candidate by the Institut Pasteur research team proposing the research project. Along the thesis, a personalized curriculum will be offered on public health and health surveillance. Each student will be mentored by both a medical and a scientific tutor. PPU-MD-PhD trainees will also join the community of MDs working on the Institut Pasteur campus.
3. Hospital collaboration
This pathway is available to medical students in residency affiliated with a French university through an early thesis and to medical doctors (MDs) working in France through a late thesis.
In partnership with Parisian hospitals and APHP, the program offers opportunities for hospital doctors and medical students to engage in research while partly maintaining their clinical roles:
- Research Reception: Physicians can dedicate up to 20% of their time to research at the Institut Pasteur while maintaining clinical duties.
- Codirected Framework: Research projects are jointly supervised by hospital services and Institut Pasteur units.
- Mixed Units: Label intended to make existing collaborations between a hospital clinical service and a research unit of the Institut Pasteur more visible. This unit is co-directed by the two heads of the structures involved; no new entity is created.
- Host Position & Interface Contracts: Flexible contracts for physicians at various career stages, allowing part-time or full-time research with financial compensation. (1-2 years for a host position contract and 1-3 years for an interface contract)
4. Lab-funded PhD contracts
This curriculum is open to both French and international medical students through an early thesis and to MDs, PharmDs, VetDs through a late thesis.
- Annual Call for Projects: The program launches an annual call to welcome medical students and MDs, PharmDs, VetDs into Institut Pasteur labs for PhD research.
- Funding Source: Research funding is provided by labs, ensuring financial support for students throughout their PhD.
- Project List: A list of available projects is sent annually to academic contacts and partner institutions, including university partners and networks such as EUGLOH and OMI.
5. Erasmus+ and bilateral agreement programs with EUGLOH members
This program is open to international medical students and to MDs, PharDs, VetDs through a research internship.
The Institut Pasteur has established partnerships with prestigious European universities in frame with Erasmus+ program, as well as bilateral agreements with members of EUGLOH European University Alliance
- Ludwig-Maximilians Universität (LMU) Munich - Germany: Medical students can participate in internships at the Institut Pasteur as part of their medical studies, funded through the StEP excellence program.
- University of Szeged - Hungary: Information about the Erasmus+ program and the PPU-MD-PhD program is shared with the medical faculty, promoting participation in the program.
Benefits for MDs and medical students pursuing the MD-PhD program at the Institut Pasteur
- Quality of fundamental and applied research
- Highly targeted research subjects
- Better preparedness for health emergencies & epidemics
- Access to medical and scientific events on campus (conferences, seminars, symposiums...)
- Access to National Reference Centers (CNR) and other specialized research institutes
- Access to Greater Paris Hospitals
- Dual mentorship (supervision by both a researcher and a clinician)
- Administrative and personal support by a dedicated Doctoral Student Office
- International environment through the Pasteur Network