Each university will have different doctoral schools, relative to their main fields of research.
Admission to a doctoral program requires a master's degree, both research-oriented and disciplinary focused.
High marks are required (typically a "très bien honour", similar to a cum laude), but the acceptance is linked to a decision of the School Academical Board.
A large share of the funding offered to junior researchers is channeled through the école doctorale, mainly in the shape of three-year "doctoral fellowships" (contrats doctoraux).
These fellowships are awarded after submitting a biographical information, undergraduate and graduate transcripts where applicable, letters of recommendation, and research proposal, then an oral examination by an Academical Committee.