France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program (2026)

Applications will be open soon for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program, a prestigious initiative by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attract outstanding international students to French higher education institutions. This scholarship supports master’s and doctoral studies in fields such as science and technology (biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital sciences, engineering) and humanities and social sciences (French history, language, and civilization, law and political science, economics and management).

It is a funded scholarship, offering monthly allowances (€1,181 for master’s, €1,800 for doctoral), international airfare, domestic travel support, health insurance, housing assistance, and cultural activities, though tuition and fees are not covered. Eligible applicants are international students nominated by French institutions, pursuing accredited master’s, engineering, or doctoral programs. There is no application fee. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

Program Components: Master’s (12, 24, or 36 months) and Doctoral (12, 18, or 36 months).
Fields of Study:
- Science and Technology: Biology and Health, Ecological Transition, Mathematics and Digital Sciences, Engineering.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: French History, Language, and Civilization, Law and Political Science, Economics and Management.
Funding:
- Master’s: €1,181/month.
- Doctoral: €1,800/month.
- Includes international airfare, domestic travel, health insurance, housing assistance, and cultural activities.
- Tuition and fees not covered.
Opening of the call for applications: October 1, 2025
Application Fee: None; nomination by a French institution required.
Deadline: January 8, 2026

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Program Overview

The Eiffel Scholarship Program supports international students in earning advanced degrees in France, fostering future global leaders in key fields. It consists of two components:

Master’s Component: Funding for 12, 24, or 36 months to pursue a master’s degree or an accredited engineering program.
Doctoral Component: Funding for 12, 18, or 36 months to support doctoral studies, including dual-degree programs or joint dissertation supervision with a partner institution abroad.

The scholarship is awarded for the academic year following the application and must begin between September 1 and November 30. The start date cannot be postponed, and only study periods in France are funded, except for specific internships or exchanges.

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Fields of Study

The program covers two broad disciplines, spanning seven fields:

Science and Technology

Biology and Health
Ecological Transition
Mathematics and Digital Sciences
Engineering

Humanities and Social Sciences

French History, Language, and Civilization
Law and Political Science
Economics and Management

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Eligibility and Study Levels

French institutions nominate candidates, who must be enrolled in one of the following:

A French government-accredited master’s degree program or equivalent.
A nationally accredited engineering program.
A doctoral program, including dual-degree or joint dissertation supervision with an international partner institution.

Note: Candidates must not hold another French government scholarship, Erasmus+, or Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie scholarship. If awarded multiple scholarships, recipients must choose one.

Scholarship Duration

Master’s Level

12 months: For students entering the second year of a master’s program (M2).
24 months: For students entering the first year of a master’s program (M1).
36 months: For students in an engineering program.

Doctoral Level

36 months: For new candidates starting their first year of a doctoral program, not already studying in France or enrolled in a French institution.
18 months: For students in the first or second year of a doctoral program.
12 months: For students in the second or third year of a doctoral program.

Doctoral scholarships can be split into multiple stays (minimum 6 months each), not exceeding 3 years total, with a schedule submitted to Campus France.

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Benefits of the Eiffel Scholarship

Financial Support

Master’s Level: €1,181 monthly allowance.
Doctoral Level: €1,800 monthly allowance (as of January 1, 2024).
Additional Services:
- International airfare (least expensive class, up to 50% of the maximum rate set by the French Ministry).
- Domestic travel support (second-class train or bus to your academic location).
- Health insurance (temporary coverage until enrollment in France’s free national scheme, plus supplemental insurance).
- Assistance with finding housing through Campus France or CROUS student dormitories.
- Cultural and recreational activities, such as city tours, sporting events, and short trips.

Non-Covered Costs

Tuition and fees are not covered, except for exemptions at public institutions for national diploma programs (master’s, doctorate, or accredited engineering degrees).
Language training costs (if needed) are the student’s responsibility, though one month of pre-program language training may be funded if included in the application.

Housing and Cultural Activities

Housing: Campus France assists with student dormitories or private housing. Recipients may arrange their own housing but are encouraged to use program support.
Cultural Activities: Access to affordable outings, including city tours, cultural visits, and short trips to European capitals, organized by Campus France.

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Managing Your Scholarship

Required Documents

Submit to Campus France:

Place of residence, email, and phone number.
Certificate of academic enrollment.
Proof of national health insurance enrollment.
Semester evaluation and end-of-year performance reports.

Mon Espace Boursier

Access your personal online portal at https://beneficiaires.campusfrance.org/ to:

Upload required documents.
Update contact information.
Track scholarship transactions in real-time.

How to Apply for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

The application process for the Eiffel Scholarship is institution-driven, meaning you cannot apply directly. Follow these steps to ensure your application is considered:

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Step 1: Contact a French Institution and Campus France

Reach Out: Contact the Campus France office in your country or the Cooperation and Cultural Action Department of the French Embassy for guidance on your study plans.
Choose an Institution: Research and select a French higher education institution (university or school) that offers a program aligned with your academic goals. All French institutions can nominate candidates for the Eiffel Scholarship.
Connect with the Institution: Reach out to the institution’s international relations department via their website, email, or phone to inquire about program details, application procedures, and deadlines for Eiffel Scholarship nomination.

Step 2: Institutional Nomination and Application Submission

Institutional Support: If the institution accepts your application, they will support your candidacy for the Eiffel Scholarship.
Online Submission: The institution submits your application online through the dedicated Campus France website on your behalf. You cannot submit the application yourself.

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Important Notes:

Ensure you meet the institution’s academic and program-specific requirements before applying.
Check with the institution or Campus France for the exact application deadline, typically in early January.
Prepare necessary documents (e.g., academic transcripts, CV, motivation letter) as requested by the institution.

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