Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AUFRANDE (Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-10-01 bis 2025-09-30
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.
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.
During the first reporting period (M1–M24), AUFRANDE made significant progress toward its objectives of fostering international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research through dual-doctorate training.
Key achievements during the period include the:
• Recruitment of 63 doctoral candidates across three calls with 59 currently enrolled.
• Signing of partnership agreements between 34 institutions in France and Australia.
• Negotiation of co-supervision (cotutelle) agreements for nearly all positions, enabling dual enrolment of Doctoral Candidates in France and Australia.
• Establishment of a Supervisors Committee, a Doctoral Candidates Committee, and an Advisory Board reporting to and guiding the Program Committee.
• Creation of a community of practice gathering teams involved in the negotiation and implementation of co-supervision arrangements.
• Launch of thematic task forces (communication, industry engagement, sustainable research) to promote best practices and hands-on collaboration on topics of relevance for the Program and the researchers.
• Organisation of two major annual events in France and Australia, combining scientific presentations, training sessions and networking.
• Arrangement of 14 secondments to Australia.
• Submission of 20 deliverables and achievement of three milestones.
The AUFRANDE events, held in both France and Australia, play a key role in building the community. Organised by RMIT Europe and host partners, in collaboration with other projects (e.g. the REDI Program) and initiatives such as the Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation (AFRAN) and the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), these events provide a forum for sharing research activities and results, fostering networking, and exploring new collaborations. Training sessions delivered during the events complement the activities of local doctoral programs with, for example, modules on research ethics, open science, innovation and entrepreneurship, and science communication.
Key achievements during the period include the:
• Recruitment of 63 doctoral candidates across three calls with 59 currently enrolled.
• Signing of partnership agreements between 34 institutions in France and Australia.
• Negotiation of co-supervision (cotutelle) agreements for nearly all positions, enabling dual enrolment of Doctoral Candidates in France and Australia.
• Establishment of a Supervisors Committee, a Doctoral Candidates Committee, and an Advisory Board reporting to and guiding the Program Committee.
• Creation of a community of practice gathering teams involved in the negotiation and implementation of co-supervision arrangements.
• Launch of thematic task forces (communication, industry engagement, sustainable research) to promote best practices and hands-on collaboration on topics of relevance for the Program and the researchers.
• Organisation of two major annual events in France and Australia, combining scientific presentations, training sessions and networking.
• Arrangement of 14 secondments to Australia.
• Submission of 20 deliverables and achievement of three milestones.
The AUFRANDE events, held in both France and Australia, play a key role in building the community. Organised by RMIT Europe and host partners, in collaboration with other projects (e.g. the REDI Program) and initiatives such as the Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation (AFRAN) and the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), these events provide a forum for sharing research activities and results, fostering networking, and exploring new collaborations. Training sessions delivered during the events complement the activities of local doctoral programs with, for example, modules on research ethics, open science, innovation and entrepreneurship, and science communication.
Although most projects are still in the early stages, tangible results have already emerged, including 3 peer-reviewed publications, 8 conference abstracts, 23 posters along with oral presentations in over 30 international conferences, workshops, and meetings, with additional outputs in preparation.
These results span diverse fields, from AI-driven solutions to sustainable materials. AUFRANDE actively promotes open science, supported by a Data Management Plan and repositories such as HAL and Zenodo, ensuring reproducibility and compliance with Horizon Europe standards. Protocols for detecting exploitable results have been implemented, leveraging technology transfer offices and industry expertise to accelerate innovation.
These results span diverse fields, from AI-driven solutions to sustainable materials. AUFRANDE actively promotes open science, supported by a Data Management Plan and repositories such as HAL and Zenodo, ensuring reproducibility and compliance with Horizon Europe standards. Protocols for detecting exploitable results have been implemented, leveraging technology transfer offices and industry expertise to accelerate innovation.