Professional guides
Nursing research: master's degree, doctorate, PHRIP funding and academic career
· Guide drawn up from the official sources cited.
In short
After the State diploma, which confers bachelor's degree status, nurses continue with a master's degree and then a doctorate, three years full-time equivalent within a doctoral school. Paramedical research projects are funded notably through PHRIP. Section 92 of the CNU, created in 2019, enables nurses to become lecturers in nursing sciences.
Research is no longer the preserve of a few pioneers: the law now includes it among the missions of every nurse, and an academic discipline of nursing sciences has existed since 2019. This guide explains the master's and doctorate pathway, thesis funding, the Hospital Programme for Nursing and Paramedical Research (PHRIP) and the career of teacher-researcher. All information comes from official sources cited at the end of the page.
Is research part of nursing practice?
Yes. Law No. 2025-581 of 27 June 2025 on the nursing profession includes among nurses' missions the use of evidence-based data in professional practice and participation in research, particularly in the field of nursing sciences. For the National Council of Nurses, this is the first inclusion of nursing sciences in the Public Health Code.
Initial training is moving in the same direction. The framework resulting from the order of 20 February 2026 devotes an entire domain to 'scientific approach and research', with 21 ECTS credits, and places pedagogical coordination under the joint responsibility of a teacher-researcher in nursing sciences and a health manager trainer.
What academic pathway to become a nurse researcher?
The pathway follows the bachelor's, master's, doctorate structure:
- The State nursing diploma, recognised at bachelor's degree level.
- A master's degree, or the State diploma in advanced nursing practice, recognised at master's degree level.
- A doctorate, which trains for autonomous conduct of research and opens academic careers.
The choice of master's programme determines what follows: prioritise a programme linked to a laboratory and including a research dissertation. Our guide accessing a master's degree in nursing sciences details the application procedure.
How do I register for a doctorate?
What are the requirements?
Doctoral registration requires a national master's degree diploma or equivalent qualification. The head of the institution may grant an exemption, on the proposal of the doctoral school council, particularly in light of validated professional experience. The national framework is set by the order of 25 May 2016.
The stages
- Build a thesis project with one or more thesis supervisors.
- Secure acceptance in a research unit attached to a doctoral school.
- Submit your registration to the accredited institution.
- Present your work to the individual monitoring committee, which oversees training conditions and research progress.
- Defend your thesis before a jury, which confers on you the degree of doctor.
How long does a doctorate take?
The standard duration is three years full-time equivalent. When the doctoral student pursues their thesis part-time, for example while continuing clinical work, the duration may be extended to six years maximum. An exceptional unpaid leave of absence of one year may be granted.
How do I fund a doctorate in nursing sciences?
The doctoral contract is a three-year public law contract offered by public higher education and research institutions. It is not subject to any age limit. The doctoral student devotes five-sixths of their time to research and one-sixth to other activities: teaching, dissemination, expertise. The minimum remuneration is set by order and revalued in stages: consult the Doctoral Funding page on the etudiant.gouv.fr portal.
Many nurses also prepare their thesis while continuing their clinical work, part-time. Discuss this early with your employer and thesis supervisor to organise your working time.
Good to know: a doctoral contract may be extended by one year in case of exceptional circumstances, and it is extended as of right in case of maternity, paternity, adoption leave or long-term illness.
What is section 92 of the CNU?
The National Council of Universities (CNU) is organised into disciplinary sections. A decree examined in the Council of Ministers on 30 October 2019 created three sections: section 92, nursing sciences, section 90, midwifery, and section 91, rehabilitation and readaptation sciences.
This creation enables universities to recruit teacher-researchers from the nursing profession. A joint report by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs and the General Inspectorate of Education, Sport and Research, published in 2023, recorded thirty appointments in sections 91 and 92 after three recruitment campaigns.
How do I become a lecturer in nursing sciences?
Recruitment takes place in two stages.
- Qualification by the CNU. You submit a file presenting your teaching and research activities and collective responsibilities, with your publications. Section 92 examines your application and decides on your inclusion on the qualification list.
- The recruitment competition, organised by each university for the posts it publishes.
To be qualified, you must hold a doctorate or equivalent diploma. Other pathways exist, notably three years of professional activity, outside teaching and research, in the last six years.
What status for teacher-researchers in section 92?
The 2023 inspection report notes that these teacher-researchers work under academic status, which they sometimes combine with clinical work. It recommends the creation of a dual-status position, both academic and clinical, more attractive to paramedical professionals.
And becoming a university professor?
A university professor is recruited using the same process: qualification by the CNU, then a competitive examination within an institution. In principle, you must hold the habilitation to supervise research (HDR). Other conditions apply, such as five years of professional activity within the last eight years.
What is PHRIP?
The hospital programme for nursing and paramedical research (PHRIP) is a national call for projects led by the Ministry of Health (Directorate General for Healthcare Supply). It funds research evaluating the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of paramedical care practices and organisations. Between its creation in 2009 and 2018, 158 projects were funded for over €16 million.
Who can lead a project?
Any healthcare professional from a healthcare facility, a healthcare cooperation group, a health centre or medical practice can lead a project. Self-employed nurses may participate provided they have a partnership agreement with a coordinating structure.
How do I respond to the call for projects?
- Read the DGOS information note published for each call: it sets the timetable and expected themes.
- Submit a letter of intent on the INNOVARC platform before the deadline.
- If your letter is shortlisted, prepare the full application.
- The panel selects projects according to peer review principles.
Important note: a PHRIP project is built well before the submission deadline. Contact your institution's research department from the outset for guidance on methodology, budget and regulatory approvals.
What other programmes exist?
PHRIP works alongside other DGOS programmes: the hospital programme for clinical research (PHRC), the research programme on healthcare system performance (PREPS) and the health economics research programme (PRME). Choose the programme based on the nature of your research question.
What is the link between research and advanced practice?
The certification framework for the State diploma in advanced nursing practice (RNCP38988 sheet) includes among its six competencies the ability to search for, analyse and produce professional and scientific data. The IPA diploma, recognised at master's level, therefore provides a possible foundation for doctoral enrolment. Our guide on advanced nursing practice presents this training. To engage with European and global research networks, also consult our guide ICN, EFN and WHO.
Official sources
- Ministry of Higher Education and Research: Doctoral studies, Senior lecturer, University professor, IGAS-IGESR report on teacher-researchers in paramedical training, Press release on the universitarisation of health training
- Étudiant.gouv: Doctoral funding
- France compétences: RNCP38988 sheet, State diploma in advanced nursing practice
- Official health bulletins: DGOS information note of 2 July 2025 on research programmes on care and healthcare supply
- National Order of Nurses: A CNU section for nursing sciences.The Act of 27 June 2025
- ANFH: Act of 27 June 2025 on the nursing profession, Order of 20 February 2026 on the State nursing diploma
Frequently asked questions
- Can a nurse undertake doctoral studies?
- Yes. In principle, you must hold a master's degree. An exemption is possible at the discretion of the head of establishment, particularly in light of professional experience.
- Can you do a doctorate while continuing to work?
- Yes. For part-time doctoral study, the duration can extend to six years, instead of three years full-time equivalent.
- What is section 92 of the CNU?
- It is the section of the Conseil national des universités dedicated to nursing sciences, created in 2019. It qualifies candidates for posts of senior lecturer and professor of universities in this discipline.
- Who can submit a PHRIP project?
- Any healthcare professional from a health establishment, a healthcare cooperation group, a health centre or medical centre. Self-employed practitioners participate by entering into an agreement with a coordinating structure.
- Is a doctorate required to become a senior lecturer?
- It is the standard route. Alternative conditions exist, such as three years of professional activity outside teaching and research in the past six years.
- Is there an age limit for a doctoral contract?
- No. It is open to doctoral students enrolled in their first year, with no age restriction, for a duration of three years.