The program aims at developing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches by hosting international professors at French universities for relatively long periods (up to 2 years). Four chairs will be created to cover the strategic priority areas (urban, coastal, rural, and protected-based areas) already identified by the SOLU-BIOD program, targeting priority themes such as climate change adaptation, sustainable natural resource management, or biodiversity enhancement implementing Nature-based Solutions.

The visiting professors will also contribute to teaching by participating in university training and developing innovative educational modules. They will be integrated into the Bachelor and Master programs of host universities and could contribute to the approaches developed by another component of SOLU-BIOD, the "NbS School" through specialized diplomas or online training tools such as MOOCs. The research projects may rely on the living labs of the SOLU-BIOD PEPR. These interdisciplinary research spaces rooted in local territories allow the co-design and implementation of NbS in collaboration with various stakeholders (managers of natural or urban spaces, local authorities, public and private operators).

Finally, the program aims to strengthen international collaborations by facilitating incoming mobility to support and structure the French positioning in NbS research and implementation. It aims at promoting the production of new scientific results on NbS and to develop international partnerships within the framework of large-scale European or global projects.

Eligible candidates must have doctoral degree (PhD) or equivalent for more than 4 years (mid-career researchers) or more 8 years (senior chairs).The candidate needs to be on a permanent or tenure-track position at his home institution involving research or a combination of research and teaching. Applications for researchers without a permanent position in their home institution can be considered if a strong implementation within the host laboratory is foreseen and the leverage effects on NbS research are clearly identified.

The representative of the home institution must sign a support certifying that the applicant can be employed by the host laboratory for the duration of their stay at the host institution. A collaboration agreement addressing intellectual property and data sharing rules will be established.Researchers of any nationality must not have resided in France during the three years preceding the call for applications on the closing date.The research project must be conducted at French national research organizations and universities. The host laboratory activities should include scientific work on nature-based solutions. The host laboratory must be involved in the design of the research project and provide equipment and facilities needed for the project, guaranteeing feasibility and appropriate conditions for successful implementation. The project will therefore be subject to the management rules of this institution for the preparation and execution of the project.

Funding: Each chair involves a 24 person-months of recruitment of a senior (monthly brut salary of 8643 €) or a mid-career scientist (monthly brut salary of 4956 €). As the cost of living is high in the overseas French departments, the salary rate may be increased in the agreement with all parties, thereby affecting the overall duration of the stay.Each chair will be awarded a package of either a three-year contract for a doctoral thesis or a two-year contract for an early-career postdoctoral researcher, a Master 2 internship grant, along with 70 k€ to support research activities including operating costs, outsourcing and small equipment (e.g. laptop or small lab device) as well as 20 k€ for travelling allowances.

Project duration : Projects may start as early as the 1^st semester of 2027 (academic year, i.e. September 2027), for a cumulative hosting period of 24 months, with a minimum duration of 4 consecutive months per stay at the host institution. The applicant can, for example, plan a stay of up to four semesters spread over 3 years (aligning with ongoing PhD project, if applicable).

Dates of mobility : The stay must take place between September 2027 and October 2030, for a cumulative hosting period of 24 months.

As part of its policy to protect the nation's scientific and technical potential (PPST), the French government has set up a system to protect its research establishments and organizations. In this respect, incoming missions for foreign nationals will be subject to the approval of the Defence Security Officer (DSO) of the institution managing the mission. His or her opinion will be sought following the decision to award chairs (with a return period of up to several weeks, months in some cases).