The École universitaire de recherche interdisciplinaire de Paris (EURIP) is pioneering a new approach to higher education. With its master's and doctoral programs, EURIP is training the next generation of researchers and professionals to meet global challenges through interdisciplinarity, innovation and international collaboration. With 140 students from all over the world, the doctoral school redefines what it means to learn, conduct research and make an impact.
Interview with Inês Lages, EURIP project manager
Inês Lages, a biomedical scientist with experience in Portugal and Italy, brings her interdisciplinary perspective to EURIP as project manager at Université Paris Cité and the Learning Planet Institute.
A unique ecosystem for interdisciplinary research
What is EURIP Graduate School?
EURIP brings together two complementary programs under one roof. This space enables Masters and PhD students from all over the world to learn and collaborate across disciplines.
L’ Paris University School of Interdisciplinary Research, EURIP is a Graduate School combining Master's and Doctorate programs. Based at the Learning Planet Institute and co-accredited by Université Paris Cité and Université PSL, EURIP groups together the Master AIRE(Interdisciplinary Approaches to Research and Education)) and the’ FIRE Doctoral School(Frontiers of Innovation in Research and Education). Together, they form a unique ecosystem dedicated to interdisciplinary research, innovation and education.
EURIP currently hosts 140 students across both programs, with 58% international profiles. Since 2019, we have organized 60 masterclasses led by internationally renowned speakers on topics ranging from AI ethics to sustainable development and planetary health, and our alumni have created 81 structures.
What is the purpose of EURIP? Why was it created?
EURIP was created to provide a truly interdisciplinary, research-oriented education that addresses the major challenges of our time: sustainability, global health and the intersection of science, digital technology and education. The program is based on the conviction that interdisciplinarity is essential to solving complex global problems. Only by combining knowledge from different disciplines can students approach issues from multiple angles.
EURIP's aim is to welcome students who are not only excellent in their field, but also versatile, curious and able to adapt to a rapidly changing world. We train lifelong learners capable of crossing disciplinary boundaries, working in international contexts and linking academic knowledge with entrepreneurial spirit. EURIP aims to prepare students not only for the challenges of today, but also for those of tomorrow.
This initiative was set up to promote academic excellence and raise the international profile of French research and higher education.
An international community of innovative researchers
With students tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges in healthcare, sustainable development, education and many other areas, EURIP thrives on diversity and co-construction.
Who runs the project?
EURIP is directed by François Taddei, co-founder and director of the Learning Planet Institute, under the aegis of Université Paris Cité and co-accredited by Université PSL.
Who is EURIP for?
The program gives priority to international students, with all courses taught in English. It is aimed at Masters students interested in interdisciplinary research on sustainability, global health and education, as well as PhD students pursuing unconventional interdisciplinary research projects.
The AIRE master's program currently has 45 students with an average age of 27, of whom 90 % are international. The FIRE doctoral school welcomes 95 doctoral students, i.e. around 30 new candidates per year, of whom 48% are from abroad.
Our doctoral research is remarkably diverse. PhD students work on projects such as “Predictive Utility in Social System Maintenance: The Cognitive Foundations of Social Stability”, social issues such as “Rethinking Reintegration: An analysis of intersectional identities and the educational trajectory of formerly incarcerated women”, healthcare challenges such as “A frugal innovation framework for open source medical devices”, or participatory sciences such as “Open source oceanography”, and contemporary challenges such as “Epistemic vigilance in the age of misinformation” So many topics and disciplines. And these are just a few examples!
Who are the partners in this program?
The project is co-financed by the Learning Planet Institute and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) as part of the Graduate School PIA3 (Third Investment Program for the Future) (50% ANR, 50% LPI). Université Paris Cité is the lead public institution, and the doctoral program is co-accredited by Université PSL.
EURIP benefits from a solid international network. Tsinghua University in China has developed its OpenFIESTA (Open Faculty for Innovation, Education, Science, Technology and Art), inspired by the AIRE master's model. We are working in partnership with the’ University College London (UCL) on interdisciplinary projects linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. FIRE doctoral students and AIRE Master's students take part in the training opportunities offered by the European University Circle U. EURIP is also connected to the wider Planet Learning Institute network, including the Planet Learning Alliance and UNESCO.
Beyond traditional graduate programs
EURIP sets itself apart from traditional graduate programs by emphasizing hands-on learning, international collaboration and real-world impact.
What are the main advantages of EURIP over traditional university courses?
What sets EURIP apart is its deep commitment to interdisciplinarity and hands-on experience. The program bridges life sciences, digital technologies and social sciences through research, projects and challenge-based learning. Students learn primarily through experience and workshops (on networking, critical thinking, etc.) rather than traditional lectures.
Its international orientation is essential, with English as the language of instruction and a largely international community. The program emphasizes societal impact. It prepares students for careers inside and outside academia (NGOs, startups, industry...). EURIP also benefits from a powerful ecosystem providing access to international networks, mentoring and funding opportunities, including excellence scholarships.
How does this fit in with the Académie LP?
Visit Learning Planet Academy is a global initiative of the Learning Planet Institute aimed at empowering young people, teachers and leaders to become “global citizens” and active lifelong learners. EURIP fits naturally into this framework, as an advanced training pathway for the next generation of researchers and innovators, in line with LPA's mission to transform higher education into a collaborative, goal-oriented, lifelong process.
Behind the scenes: EURIP coordination
As project manager, Inês Lages explains her role and sends a message to students interested in EURIP.
What would you say to potential future students?
If you're curious, want to cross disciplinary boundaries and are passionate about the major challenges facing our world, EURIP is for you.
You won't be confined to a single discipline or a traditional academic path. You'll join a truly international community where students from all over the world bring diverse perspectives. You'll learn by carrying out research projects, taking on practical challenges and collaborating with partners such as Tsinghua University, UCL and UNESCO.
Whether you're pursuing a Master's degree with AIRE or a PhD program with FIRE, you'll join lifelong learners who are preparing not only to meet today's challenges, but also those of tomorrow. You'll have access to excellence scholarships, international networks, mentoring and the Learning Planet Institute ecosystem!
