The order of 26 August 2022 relating to doctoral training introduced a certain number of amendments provided for by the Research Programming Law (LPR – Loi de Programmation pour la Recherche). These measures are intended to increase the attractiveness of scientific jobs and careers and to promote the doctorate.

To this end, the order of 26 August 2022, which amends the order of 25 May 2016 establishing the national framework for training and the procedures for issuing the national doctoral diploma, has placed the focus on three main points:

1 – the Individual Monitoring Committee (CSI): the order of 26 August 2022 broadened and increased its responsibilities, in order to strengthen support for doctoral students throughout the preparation of their thesis. The CSI must meet before enrolment in the second year and before each new enrolment, and makes recommendations that are forwarded to the doctoral school after each interview. It also plays a role in preventing violence and discrimination.

Interviews are organised in three distinct stages, the organisation of which is left to the discretion of the doctoral schools and institutions: presentation of the progress of the work and discussions; interview with the doctoral student without the thesis supervisor; interview with the thesis supervisor without the doctoral student.

The doctoral school shall ensure that, as far as possible, the composition of the doctoral student’s Individual Monitoring Committee remains constant throughout the duration of their doctoral course. The Individual Monitoring Committee shall include at least one member specialised in the discipline or in connection with the field of the thesis and, if possible, one member from outside the institution. It shall also include a non-specialist member outside the research area of the thesis work. The members of this committee do not take part in the management of the doctoral student’s work. Finally, the doctoral school seeks to ensure that, before the CSI meeting, doctoral students are consulted on the committee’s membership.

2 – scientific integrity: article 16 of the LPR states that research work shall meet the requirements of scientific integrity in order to guarantee its honest and scientifically rigorous nature, and to consolidate the relationship of trust with society.

Awareness of scientific integrity can be organised at the Master’s level, so that students and future doctoral students acquire and integrate – right from this level – the principles of rigour and honesty that must govern all scientific progress.

3 – the oath: the French Office of Scientific Integration (OFIS) has drawn up the text of the doctoral oath of scientific integrity, which will appear in the doctoral charter without amendment.

You will find all useful information (in French) here.

The thesis defence report shall state whether the Doctor has taken the oath, and shall include, for example, the following statement:

“Mr/Ms… took the oath – YES/NO”

The new provisions introduced by the amending order of 26 August 2022 came into force on 1 September 2022. Three provisions will be implemented after notice and deliberations by the relevant bodies of the institutions, and no later than 31 December 2022:

  • The doctoral charter: it will be completed before the end of the calendar year by a paragraph on scientific integrity. This updated charter must be signed by the doctoral student and the thesis director during the 2022-23 academic year.
  • The CSI: the committee must now meet before enrolment in the second year and, thereafter, before each new enrolment until the end of the doctorate.
  • Taking of the oath: occurs upon completion of the defence and subject to its validation. For thesis defences that take place between September and December 2022: each institution shall determine the date as of which the presentations are made with an oath, with the understanding that it will be mandatory for presentations as of 1 January 2023.