Habilitation to Supervise Research

In France, the Habilitation à diriger des Recherches (HDR, lit. Habilitation to Direct Research) is a diploma that "sanctions recognition of the candidate's high scientific level, the originality of his or her approach in a field of science, his or her ability to master a research strategy in a sufficiently broad scientific or technological field, and his or her capacity to supervise young researchers". It was created in 1984 by the Savary law, replacing the state doctorate.

The HDR is a prerequisite for university professorships. It is not mandatory in French academia in general, but it is required to apply for research Établissement public à caractère scientifique, culturel et professionnel [management positions in public scientific and technological establishments] (EPST). There are exceptions to this rule. A person appointed to the professorship is automatically qualified to direct research.

An HDR is a prerequisite for supervising a PhD thesis or acting as PhD thesis rapporteur (in the absence of the rank of university professor, study director or research director).