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Call for Applications – O Ward, Beyond Aero Award

Publication Date

08 October 2026

Category

ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation

Tag

Application

ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation

Prize

Students and PhD students, make the future of aviation take off! You are undergraduate or PhD student at ISAE-SUPAERO, working on a project that contributes to the decarbonisation of aviation? The O Ward offers you the opportunity to showcase your initiative and receive financial support and guidance to develop it.

O Ward, the Beyond Aero award

Established by the ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation on the initiative of and with the support of Beyond Aerospace, this award recognises an innovative initiative committed to decarbonising aviation, whether it be an internship project, an entrepreneurial venture, a community initiative, a thesis or any other eligible format.

Who can apply?

Application deadline: Sunday 22 November 2026 at 8.00 pm.

All students and PhD candidates currently enrolled at ISAE-SUPAERO, across all degree programmes, who are working on an individual, community-based or entrepreneurial project related to the decarbonisation of aviation.

Application deadline: Sunday 22 November 2026 at 8.00 pm..
To apply, you must provide:
- The application form, to be completed here
- A video presentation of your project, lasting no more than 5 minutes, to be sent to csp@fondation-isae-supaero.org, via FileSender or an equivalent file transfer service.

Your video must present your project or initiative, its link to the decarbonisation of aviation, its potential impact, and the team or project leader. The format is open: pitch, demonstration, storytelling, etc.

Key dates

28 September 2026 at 8:00 am: applications open.
22 November 2026 at 8:00 pm: applications close.
30 November to 18 December 2026: assessment of applications and interviews with the judging panel.
Foundation Award Ceremony: presentation of the prize to the winner(s).

Finalists will be invited to present their project to Beyond Aerospace staff at a dedicated event. The prize is worth a total of €5,000, which may be awarded to one or two winners. Winners will also benefit from three one-hour coaching sessions with the Beyond Aerospace teams.

Useful documents

Before completing the form, please consult the following documents attached to the form: O Ward Rules & Legal notices and data protection policy (By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read the award rules and accept their provisions.)

Call for Nominations for the 2027 Lopez-Loreta Award

Publication Date

09 September 2026

Category

Institute

Tag

Entrepreneurship

Prize

Research

The 2027 Lopez-Loreta Prize

For the past 10 years, the Jean-Jacques and Félicia Lopez-Loreta Foundation for Academic Excellence has been supporting graduates from four leading European public universities every year: ISAE-SUPAERO, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and the École Polytechnique Paris-Saclay.

ISAE-SUPAERO may submit up to five preliminary applications to the Foundation by 2 November 2026.

We are therefore launching an internal pre-selection process today to identify the best projects from our graduates.

Who is eligible to apply?

Graduates of ISAE-SUPAERO (excluding the Advanced Master’s programme) who graduated less than two years prior to 30 June 2026.

The project must be:

Initiated by the applicant whilst at ISAE-SUPAERO
Of an entrepreneurial, scientific, academic, environmental or humanitarian nature
In the early stages**: projects that are already well advanced (where fundraising has been completed or a start-up has already been set up) are not eligible

Executive Master’s degrees or equivalent qualifications are not eligible.

A project may only be submitted once.

Contents of the preliminary application

The application must be submitted as a PDF (in French or English) and must include:

A cover page:
- name,
- email address and telephone number,
- project name,
- ISAE-SUPAERO,
- host institution,
- the nature of the project (research or entrepreneurship).
A description of the project
A CV
A copy of your university qualifications

Timetable

Submission of preliminary applications: by 24 September 2026 at the latest
Deadline for submission of final proposals: 15 January 2027 at the latest
Notification of auditions: by 26 April 2027 at the latest
Auditions for shortlisted candidates: by 31 May 2027 at the latest
Decision by the Foundation Board regarding the 2027 Laureates: by 30 June 2027 at the latest

Interim milestones will be communicated to you to guide you through to the final deadlines. In addition, a joint team comprising school staff and alumni has been set up to support you in putting together your preliminary applications.

Send your application or express your interest now atprix.lopez-loreta@isae-supaero.fr.

Template for preliminary projects to be dowloaded here.

*tax liability borne by the winner

**specifically for entrepreneurial projects

An impressive track record for ISAE-SUPAERO

Our graduates received awards in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024:

A team of researchers from the École de l’Air et de l’Espace and ISAE-SUPAERO received the Best Paper Award from the journal “Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors”

Publication Date

20 July 2026

Category

Research

Tag

Aviation

DCAS

Human factors

Neuroergonomics

Prize

Research

The study highlights the impact of expertise on the visual strategies of military pilots

The study focused on the influence of expertise and visual strategies on piloting accuracy. For this work, 38 pilots with different levels of experience (student pilots, cadets, experts) performed climbing, descending, and turning maneuvers on a Cirrus SR20 flight simulator while being equipped with an eye-tracking device.

The Cirrus SR20 training simulator is used in the training of fighter pilots at Ecole de l’Air. The military pilot wears a head-mounted eye-tracking device.

The maneuvers included performing turns and altitude changes, typical of those carried out during fighter pilot training exercises. The pilots were equipped with an eye-tracking system that makes it possible to precisely determine which area the pilot’s gaze is focused on.

The analysis revealed that expertise plays a major role in controlling flight parameters. Compared to novice pilots with limited flight hours, more experienced pilots maintain heading, altitude, speed, and aircraft bank angle more precisely during the different maneuvers studied.

Eye-tracking reveals characteristic visual behaviors of expertise

Beyond piloting performance, the researchers highlighted significant differences in visual scanning strategies. Expert pilots devote more attention to certain key instruments, particularly the attitude indicator (“pitch”), which provides essential information about the aircraft’s vertical trajectory. This was especially true when maneuvers required changes in altitude.

These results suggest that expertise relies not only on superior technical control, but also on an enhanced ability to quickly select relevant information in a complex environment. Experienced pilots use their gaze more strategically in order to anticipate the adjustments needed to control the aircraft.

Promising perspectives for pilot training

The conclusions of this study confirm the potential of eye-tracking technologies to enhance aviation training methods. By identifying the visual strategies associated with the highest levels of performance, this work could help develop new educational tools capable of supporting student pilots in acquiring expert behaviors.

The research is ongoing, and the scientists are currently working on the integration of eye-tracking systems that can provide real-time feedback on pilots’ visual attention, in order to guide their learning and further improve the safety of flight operations. A “dashboard” is also being developed to provide a highly pedagogical summary of the pilot’s visual performance following a simulator session. This dashboard could be used by instructors at Ecole de l’Air.

Réference:

Vantrepotte, Q., Dubois, E., Camachon, C., Causse, M. (2025). "Effect of pilot expertise on visual scanning and precision of flight maneuvers in military aviation." Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors.

This work was supported by the Agence de l'innovation de défense (AID) and is now still undergoing thanks to another AID funding (VISTAS project).

An ISAE-SUPAERO PhD student has been awarded the ONERA 2026 PhD Student Prize

Publication Date

15 July 2026

Category

Research

Tag

PhD

Prize

Research

A career focused on research in acoustics

After completing a dual bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Musicology, followed by a Master’s in Engineering Sciences, specialising in Physical Acoustics, at Sorbonne University, Lucie Schwoebel joined ISAE-SUPAERO and ONERA to undertake a PhD thesis entitled ‘Temporal representation of the non-linear acoustic impedance of structured absorbent materials ’.

This topic lies at the heart of efforts to reduce noise pollution in the aeronautics sector and draws on advanced expertise in modelling and acoustics.

Research for the future of aviation

The research focuses on modelling the acoustic behaviour of sound-absorbing materials used, in particular, in aircraft nacelles to reduce the noise generated by jet engines.

Subject to particularly severe operating conditions — high noise levels, significant flow over their surfaces and broadband noise sources — these materials require new models capable of representing their behaviour in the time domain.

Ultimately, this research will lead to a better understanding of the behaviour of complex acoustic materials in extreme environments and will contribute to the design of multilayer materials offering optimised absorption performance for future generations of aircraft.

Recognition of scientific excellence

Awarded annually following the ONERA PhD Students’ Days, the Fluid Mechanics and Energy PhD Students’ Prize recognises a third-year PhD student for the quality of their scientific approach, their research output and their oral presentation, as well as for the expected benefits of their work for ONERA.

This award highlights the quality of the research carried out jointly by ISAE-SUPAERO and ONERA, as well as its contribution to scientific advances in the field of acoustics applied to aeronautics.

Malaury Fouet, an engineering apprentice at Airbus, wins first prize in the “My Apprenticeship in 180 Seconds” public speaking contest

Publication Date

29 June 2026

Category

Education

Tag

« Ingénieur ISAE-SUPAERO » by apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

Prize

A public speaking competition to promote apprenticeships

“My Apprenticeship in 180 Seconds (MA180s)” is a public speaking competition organised by CFA Midisup, in collaboration with the CFA des Universités Centre-Val de Loireand theANASUP network.

The aim of this project is to showcase higher education apprentices through a challenge:

To describe their apprenticeship experience in 180 seconds flat.

In three minutes, each candidate must give an insight into their journey, their responsibilities, their achievements and what the work-study programme has brought them.

What counts? Eloquence, the ability to explain technical terms and to make the link between your work responsibilities and your work-study programme.

Much more than just a public speaking challenge, this competition is arewarding experience that helps develop key skills such as public speaking, structuring a speech, communication and self-confidence.

Out of the 50 apprentice candidates from across Occitanie, ten finalists were selected back in February to take part in the competition final held on 11 June.

This selection marked the start of several months of intensive preparation, including three coaching sessions led by drama teachers.

Since applications were submitted in January, a great deal of groundwork has been carried out: successive rewrites of the texts, careful consideration of word choice, rhythm, intonation and the intention behind each sentence, all with a view to crafting a performance that is both authentic and impactful.

At the end of the three minutes allotted to present her background, her learning journey and what this experience has brought her – both professionally and personally – it was Malaury Fouet who ultimately won first prize in this very first edition of the competition.

A look back at her journey and her experience 👇

Malaury Fouet, engineering student at ISAE-SUPAERO

Winner of the MA180s competition

Surname – First name: Malaury Fouet
Education: Industrial Engineering degree
Company: Airbus

Through my participation in the ‘My Apprenticeship in 180 Seconds’ competition, I wanted to send a strong message about equal opportunities.

By recounting my journey, from my rural home in Ariège to the Airbus hangars, I wanted to show that an apprenticeship can be a fantastic stepping stone to an engineering degree, which can sometimes seem out of reach.

This competition was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the people who believed in me, particularly my maths teacher, Laetitia, who recognised my interest in aeronautics when I was just 11 years old and encouraged me to pursue this path.

This recognition has now strengthened my commitment to secondary school pupils, particularly through the OSE L’ISAE-SUPAERO association, to encourage them to believe in their ambitions and never give up on their dreams.

Finally, this challenge gave me the opportunity to shed light on my day-to-day life as an apprentice at Airbus by explaining, in just three minutes, my responsibilities and how the theoretical knowledge gained at university complements the practical experience acquired in the workplace.

“What stands out most for me is the realisation that a simple message can sometimes open a door.

So if you’re in doubt, if you’re hesitating, if you think a dream is too far out of reach: start dreaming and never stop.”

The inaugural edition of the competition was a resounding success thanks tothe commitment of our partners, speakers, jury members and the public!

Corporate Partners: Alpine, Syngenta, Ministry of the Armed Forces, Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park – UNESCO Global Geopark, Valeo, EDF Power Solutions, Sanofi, alpe.tv, Brasserie La Petite Aixoise, Airbus.

Educational Partners : Tarbes National School of Engineering – ENIT, Tarbes Occitanie Pyrénées University of Technology – UTTOP, AGRO Toulouse – Toulouse National School of Agronomy – ENSAT, Sciences Po Toulouse, IMT Mines Albi, Toulouse Higher Institute of Journalism, ISAE-SUPAERO.

Watch the video of his visit

ISAE-SUPAERO Researchers Receive IEEE NSREC 2025 Outstanding Paper Award for Advance in Space Imaging Sensor Physics

Publication Date

26 May 2026

Category

Research

Tag

DEOS

Prize

Research

A major scientific advance

This award recognises a major scientific advance: the direct observation, characterisation and simulation of individual radiation-induced defects in silicon, using very high-sensitivity CMOS imaging sensors.

To read the paper

A new window on the physics of defects in space sensors

For decades, semiconductor defects induced by radiation or manufacturing processes have been extremely difficult to study on the scale of a single defect. Yet they play a decisive role in the degradation of imaging sensors used in space, affecting image quality, noise and long-term stability.

By exploiting the exceptional sensitivity of modern CMOS sensors, the research team has transformed each pixel into a micro-detector capable of tracking the behaviour of individual defects, typically involving one or two atoms, directly within a fully functional device.

The study shows that very simple atomic defects can generate complex temporal fluctuations in the signal, resulting in pixels flashing at random in the images. These effects have been linked to specific types of defect, providing a novel experimental understanding of their physical origin and behaviour.

Important work for future space missions

The aim of this research is to improve fundamental understanding of radiation-induced defects in semiconductors. This knowledge is essential for :

improve the performance and reliability of semiconductor devices after manufacture,
improve the robustness of space imaging sensors exposed to radiation,
develop more predictive and physical models of the effects of radiation in space systems.

These results are particularly important for future space missions, where imaging performance and detector stability are critical in increasingly demanding radiation environments.

ISAE-SUPAERO at the cutting edge

This breakthrough was achieved at ISAE-SUPAERO because it required a rare combination of skills: mastery of advanced CMOS imaging sensor technologies and in-depth expertise in the effects of radiation in semiconductors. These two fields have been at the heart of the activities of the Capteurs d’IMage Intégrés (CIMI) group within the DEOS department for more than two decades.

The work has also benefited from access to advanced semiconductor technologies, state-of-the-art characterisation resources and irradiation facilities, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the physical phenomena induced by radiation.

Strong scientific collaboration

This research was made possible by close collaboration with several major partners:

Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES): access to advanced technologies, irradiation facilities and key expertise in the space radiation environment;
LAAS-CNRS: expertise in atomistic simulation (ab initio), essential for interpreting the results;
CEA DAM: particle-matter interaction simulations, expertise in irradiation-induced defects in semiconductors
Sodern: expertise in the effects of radiation in imaging detectors and semiconductor defects.

Towards more robust space imaging technologies

Beyond this award, this work opens up new perspectives for understanding and controlling semiconductor defects in advanced technologies. Current and future research will aim to identify in detail the different types of defects generated during manufacture or under irradiation, to gain a better understanding of the physical origin of pixel flicker phenomena, and to improve prediction of the behaviour of future imaging technologies in the space environment.

These advances will contribute to the development of more robust and efficient imaging systems for future space missions, as well as for the general public, while advancing our knowledge of the expression of semiconductor defects at the atomic scale and their fundamental behaviour.

Elena Lopez Contreras, a doctoral student in neuroergonomics at ISAE-SUPAERO, has won the Amelia Earhart Award

Publication Date

19 May 2026

Category

Tag

Prize

Research

Thesis

ISAE-SUPAERO and its talented students are once again showcasing Toulouse’s dynamism on the international stage

Publication Date

20 April 2026

Category

Research

Tag

DCAS

Event

Human factors

Innovation

Neuroergonomics

PhD

Prize

A prestigious prize

Elena Lopez-Contreras, a doctoral student at ISAE-SUPAERO’s neuroergonomics centre, was honoured by the 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐮𝐱 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐱 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐝𝐞́𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞́ 𝐩𝐚𝐫 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, which each year rewards 30 female doctoral candidates in aerospace engineering from around the world.

Elena is conducting her work under the supervision of Vsevolod Peysakhovich, associate professor in human factors and health engineering, Raphaëlle Roy, associate professor in neuroergonomics and human factors at ISAE-SUPAERO, and Laure Boyer, biomedical engineer at MEDES (Institute of Space Medicine and Physiology).

Their research is devoted to human performance in teleoperation in extreme environments, based on experiments conducted both in the laboratory and in real-life conditions (flight in a DR-400, underwater environment). They contribute to a better understanding of human capabilities in demanding operational contexts.

The ActInSpace hackathon

This scientific excellence is also illustrated in collaborative initiatives with high innovation potential!

As part of the ActInSpace hackathon organised by TBS Education with the support ofUNIVERSEH, the Toulouse team 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞, made up of Elena Lopez-Contreras, Leonie Gasteiner (ISAE-SUPAERO student on the Master in Aerospace Engineering), and Veronica Orlandi (PhD student at the University of Toulouse ex UT3) won first place at the national final in Bordeaux with their project 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐄𝐘𝐄.

Their solution, based on the use of satellite data and onboard artificial intelligence, makes it possible to detect “ghost ships”, thereby meeting major challenges in terms of maritime safety, the fight against illegal activities and environmental protection.

They then qualified for the international final, where they competed against 23 teams from all over the world, and finished in the international top 5 alongside Senegal, Australia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan).

Although the grand prize went to the Senegalese team, the Toulouse team put in an impressive performance on the international stage.

As national winners, the team took home an exceptional prize: a trip to the Guiana Space Centre to watch a rocket launch!

The event was a resounding success thanks to the support of major industry players such as Capgemini, Airbus, Thales and Aerospace Angels, as well as academic and institutional contributions from TBS Education, the Toulouse School of Management, CNES (Centre national d’études spatiales), the Toulouse COMUE and the Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès.

After 24 hours of intense reflection, development and presentation, the participants left inspired and motivated, eager to seize the next opportunity to push back the boundaries of space innovation!

What started as a simple challenge among friends turned into a real project and an entrepreneurial opportunity. This experience highlights the importance of daring to take the plunge and knowing how to seize opportunities when they arise.

Léonie Gasteiner ISAE-SUPAERO student in Master in Aerospace Engineering

CUBE ÉTAT Awards Ceremony: ISAE-SUPAERO Takes the Top Spot

Publication Date

10 March 2026

Category

Institute

Tag

Corporate responsibility

Institute

Prize

Sustainability

ISAE-SUPAERO takes first place

After 12 months of fierce competition, the results were revealed at the awards ceremony held on 29 January 2026 in Paris.
ISAE-SUPAERO distinguished itself by winning one of the podium places.
ISAE-SUPAERO came first in the national ranking for the “offices from 2,500 to 5,000 m²” category, and was awarded the Golden Cube.

With energy savings of 19.9% and environmental savings of 25.7%, it was also ranked 13ᵉ overall, all categories combined.

A strong commitment to sustainable development

The Institut, which is heavily involved in energy transition and sustainable development, wanted to take part in this competition by entering two office buildings renovated in 2021. The aim is to prove that even in buildings that already consume little energy, it is still possible to go further by optimising technical settings and improving the day-to-day practices of occupants.

A collective success

Above all, this award reflects a collective effort. Pauline Bénard Lironcourt, the Institute’s energy performance officer, led the initiative. To meet this challenge, she mobilised the technical services to optimise and programme the equipment, while involving users in a wide range of fun activities: a kick-off meeting, comfort surveys, quizzes, visits to the technical installations, a day of activities around the cyclotube with the Haute-Garonne Environnement association (see photos below) and regular reminders of eco-actions, particularly before the holidays.

These initiatives have been very well received, and the occupants have participated fully in the process. The Institute was also nominated in the “best technical referent” section.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to everyone for this team effort, and thanks to Pauline for the impetus and dynamism she brought to bear to get everyone on board!

“Doctor, tell me about your thesis in five minutes!” – The ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation Thesis Awards

Publication Date

03 February 2026

Category

ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation

Tag

Doctoral student

ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation

Prize

Thesis

On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation awarded its thesis prizes of the year to five young doctors in recognition of the excellence and impact of their research work.

On Wednesday 7 January 2026, the Fondation ISAE-SUPAERO awarded its Thesis of the Year prizes to five young PhDs in recognition of the excellence and impact of their research work.

The prizes, each worth €800, highlight the scientific quality and communication skills of doctoral students trained in one of the most demanding doctoral programmes in the field of aeronautics, space and complex systems.

A revamped formula to promote the popularisation of and feedback from theses

For the2025 event, the format has been changed to “Doctor, tell me about your thesis in 5 minutes”. This change gives each of the winners more time to present their thesis topic in a clear, accessible and captivating way to an audience of students, researchers and ISAE-SUPAERO staff. This longer presentation time allows doctoral students to go into a little more depth than in the previous edition, which took just 3 minutes.

Set in the middle of the lunch break, this solemn event is changing the tradition of promoting research by combining scientific expertise and communication skills, an essential challenge for young researchers who aim to make their work understandable well beyond academic circles.

The 2025 winners

The five prize-winners rose brilliantly to this challenge of synthesis and pedagogy. Each of them shared the challenges, results and prospects of their research, demonstrating the diversity and excellence of the work carried out within the Institute and its partners. To see photos of the event, click here.

Theses at the service of innovation

Ricardo Rodrigues

“Modelling, robust control and analysis of complex, flexible and non-stationary space missions”.

Thesis directed by Daniel ALAZARD and Francesco SANFEDINO (ISAE-SUPAERO)

Olivier Goux

“Taking into account correlations of observation error and variational assimilation of ocean data”.

Thesis directed by Anthony WEAVER (CERFACS) and co-directed by Olivier GUILLET

Antoine Salih Alj

“Radiation effects and electrical properties of a CCD-on-CMOS sensor with active deep trenches for high-performance imaging”.

Thesis directed by Vincent GOIFFON and co-directed by Pierre MAGNAN (ISAE-SUPAERO)

Marcel Hinss (Presented by video)

“Human/UAV system interaction and human factors: taking into account the estimation of an operator’s state of fatigue in the design of adaptive interactions for the control of long-endurance UAVs”.

Thesis directed by Raphaëlle ROY (ISAE-SUPAERO) and Anke BROCK (ENAC)

Jean-baptiste Orsatelli (presented by F. Lachaud)

“Methodology for predicting the strength of repairs to aeronautical composite structures by bonding”.

Thesis directed by Frédéric LACHAUD (ISAE-SUPAERO), co-directed by Eric PAROISSIEN and co-supervised by Sebastien SCHWARTZ.

Promoting doctoral research at ISAE-SUPAERO

The 2025 edition of the Dissertation Prizes confirms the importance attached by the Foundation to high-level research and scientific communication. By extending the format to 5 minutes, the Institute is offering young researchers a platform where they can not only present their results, but also open the doors to the world of research to students working in academia and industry.

A commitment made possible by the generosity of donors

The 2025 Thesis Awards would not have been possible without the loyal support of the donors of the ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation. Through their commitment, you are actively helping to encourage scientific excellence, showcase the careers of young researchers and promote innovation in aeronautics and space. Thanks to your generosity, the Foundation can continue to support the talents of tomorrow and promote academic research at the highest level.