Since the start of the 2025 academic year, missions to China, Japan, the United States, and Canada by the Vice President for International Relations have strengthened or initiated our relationships with major international universities.
China, Prosfer and JoRISS programs
The PROSFER doctoral program, now refocused on the Lyon site with our university partners, has been renewed with ECNU (East China Normal University). This historic partnership has already trained nearly 150 PhD students. As for JoRISS (Joint Research Institute for Science and Society), the program has been expanded in conjunction with NYU Shanghai (New York University). In addition, more targeted collaborations are being developed with Beijing Language and Culture University for advanced Chinese and area studies.
More info on 2025 JoRISS call for projects
India, Biosantexc program
The Biosantexc program with the IISERs is a key part of Ens de Lyon's international strategy, with expanding Master's degree exchanges and a forthcoming opening to doctoral programs. A joint workshop on December 8 and 9, 2025, to be held in Paris, will bring together the four Indo-French campuses to discuss global health. India is a key scientific partner, with whom collaboration must be mindful of intellectual property and scientific security issues.
Japan, agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology
In Japan, a joint doctoral supervision agreement was signed with NIST (Nara Institute of Science and Technology), covering all of the School's scientific disciplines. The mission also strengthened ties with the National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo, particularly in the areas of digital humanities and access to rare documentary resources. These collaborations build on existing scientific partnerships and reinforce ENS de Lyon's presence in Asia.
United States, partnership with the University of Texas at Austin
The School signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Texas at Austin in November 2025 during the Transatlantic Ties Symposium organized by Texas Global and the Institut des Amériques. This strategic partnership provides for student and faculty exchanges, the development of innovative dual degrees, and new research collaborations and academic programs. This initiative strengthens existing ties and promotes greater engagement between faculty and researchers at both institutions.
Canada, academic cooperation and exchanges
ENS de Lyon's relations with Canada are growing stronger, despite a more complex North American mobility context. These partnerships are based on exchanges of visiting professors and structured academic projects, which rely on relationships of trust built between individuals. Among these projects, the dual Master's degree in Urban Studies, developed jointly with the University of Ottawa, offers multidisciplinary training in social sciences focused on the major challenges facing cities: mobility, environmental transitions, social inclusion, and governance. Canada thus continues to show a keen interest in European cooperation, with Quebec playing a particular role thanks to its French-speaking population and the complementarity of its institutions.