Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2026-2027

Overview

The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and managed by Campus France. It helps top French universities attract strong international students for master's and PhD programs. Named after Gustave Eiffel, the program funds about 400 master's and 70 doctoral scholarships each year.

Students cannot apply directly. Only French higher education institutions can nominate candidates, which means selected scholars are already plugged into a strong academic program before the scholarship kicks in. Priority fields include science and technology, engineering, economics and management, law and political science, and humanities. Candidates from every country except France are eligible.

Master's students receive EUR 1,200 per month; doctoral students get EUR 2,100 per month. On top of the stipend, the scholarship covers housing assistance, transport, and insurance. Tuition fees are not covered directly, but many partner institutions waive or reduce fees for Eiffel laureates. The program has become one of the most competitive scholarship schemes in Europe.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, managed by Campus France
Host Country	France
Degree Levels	Master's, PhD
Value	Monthly stipend of EUR 1,200 (master's) or EUR 2,100 (PhD), plus transport, insurance, housing assistance, and cultural activities
Deadline	January 2026
Duration	12 to 36 months for master's; up to 12 months for PhD (co-supervision model)
Eligible Nationalities	All nationalities except French. Dual nationals holding French citizenship are ineligible.
Official Website	https://www.campusfrance.org/en/the-france-excellence-eiffel-scholarship-program

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

Candidates must have strong academic results. Class rankings and academic distinctions carry heavy weight. Master's candidates need at least a bachelor's degree; PhD candidates need a master's degree.

Nationality Requirements

Open to all nationalities except French citizens. Dual nationals with French citizenship cannot apply. Master's-level candidates must not already be studying in France at the time of application.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in French or English depending on the program's language of instruction. Language certificates (DELF/DALF for French; TOEFL/IELTS for English) may be required by the nominating institution.

Work Experience

Not formally required, but professional experience in relevant fields can strengthen a candidacy, especially for economics, management, and law programs.

Other Requirements

Master's candidates must be no older than 29 at the time of the selection committee meeting. PhD candidates must be no older than 35. PhD scholarships follow a co-supervision (cotutelle) model requiring enrollment at both a French and a foreign institution.

Scholarship Benefits

• Monthly stipend of EUR 1,200 for master's students
• Monthly stipend of EUR 2,100 for PhD students
• International travel assistance (round-trip transportation support)
• National transport assistance within France
• Health and social insurance coverage
• Housing search assistance through Campus France
• Cultural activities program for laureates
• Priority access to university residences (CROUS housing)
• Welcome and orientation support upon arrival in France
• Membership in the Eiffel Excellence alumni network

How to Apply

1. Identify a French Institution and Program: Research French universities that participate in the Eiffel program and find master's or PhD programs in the priority fields. Contact the international office or program coordinator to express interest in an Eiffel nomination.
2. Apply for Admission to the University: Submit your admission application to the chosen French institution using its standard procedure. Many institutions have internal deadlines in October or November, well before the Campus France deadline.
3. Request Eiffel Nomination from the Institution: Give the institution your CV, transcripts, motivation letter, and any other required documents. The institution's selection committee decides which candidates to put forward for the Eiffel program.
4. Institution Submits Application to Campus France: If nominated, the French institution assembles your complete dossier and submits it to Campus France by January 8, 2026. You do not submit anything to Campus France yourself.
5. Evaluation by Campus France Selection Committee: Campus France convenes an independent committee of academic experts who evaluate all nominations based on academic excellence, the quality of the study project, and fit with program priorities.
6. Results and Enrollment: Results are published from March 30, 2026. Winners confirm acceptance, complete visa procedures through Campus France, and arrange travel to France for the start of the academic year (September).

Required Documents

• Valid passport or national identity card (copy)
• Updated curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages, in French or English)
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates with class rankings
• Motivation letter or personal/professional project statement (1-2 pages)
• Language proficiency certificates (French and/or English as applicable)
• For PhD applicants: detailed thesis proposal (maximum 5 pages)
• For PhD applicants: expert evaluation letter from the co-supervising professor
• Two academic reference letters
• Passport-size photograph

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	October 1, 2025 (call for applications published by Campus France)
Application Deadline	January 8, 2026 (deadline for institutions to submit nominations to Campus France). Internal university deadlines are often in October–November 2025.
Results Announced	From March 30, 2026
Course Start	September 2026

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Start contacting French universities early, ideally by September. Internal nomination deadlines are often months before the Campus France deadline.
• Tailor your motivation letter to show how your project aligns with the Eiffel priority fields and France's strategic academic interests.
• Highlight international experience, leadership, and your potential to contribute to Franco-bilateral relations after graduation.
• For PhD candidates: make your thesis proposal specific and show clear added value from the co-supervision arrangement.
• Emphasize your academic rankings and distinctions. The selection committee cares a lot about where you stand relative to your peers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trying to apply directly to Campus France. Only institutions can nominate candidates. Start by securing an institutional sponsor.
• Missing the institution's internal deadline, which is often 2-3 months before the Campus France submission date.
• Submitting a generic study plan that does not mention the specific program, lab, or research group at the French university.
• Leaving out class rankings or academic distinctions that show you are among the top students in your cohort.
• Assuming tuition is covered. The Eiffel Scholarship does not directly pay tuition fees, so verify fee arrangements with your institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply directly for the Eiffel Scholarship?

No. Individual students cannot apply. Only French higher education institutions can nominate candidates. You must first secure admission and nomination from a participating French university.

Does the Eiffel Scholarship cover tuition fees?

The scholarship does not directly cover tuition fees. Many French public universities charge relatively low tuition, and some institutions waive or reduce fees for Eiffel laureates. Confirm the arrangement with your nominating institution.

What is the Eiffel Scholarship monthly stipend amount?

Master's students receive EUR 1,200 per month. PhD students receive EUR 2,100 per month. These amounts come on top of transport, insurance, and housing assistance benefits.

What fields of study are eligible for Eiffel Scholarship?

Priority fields include Science and Technology, Engineering, Biology and Health, Ecological Transition, Mathematics and Digital Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law and Political Science, and Economics and Management.

What is the age limit for Eiffel Scholarship?

Master's candidates must be under 30 (no older than 29 at the time of the selection committee). PhD candidates must be under 36 (no older than 35).

How competitive is the Eiffel Scholarship?

About 400 master's and 70 PhD scholarships are awarded annually from thousands of nominations submitted by French institutions across the country. The odds are steep.

Can I study in English with an Eiffel Scholarship?

Many eligible master's and PhD programs in France are taught entirely in English. The language of instruction depends on the program you are nominated for, not the scholarship itself.

How long does the Eiffel Scholarship last?

For master's programs, 12 to 36 months depending on the program structure. For PhD programs, a maximum of 12 months since it follows a co-supervision (cotutelle) model.

Is the Eiffel Scholarship renewable?

The scholarship duration is set at the time of award and matches the program length. It does not need renewal since it covers the full program duration for master's candidates. It is not extendable beyond the awarded period.

When should I start preparing for the Eiffel Scholarship application?

Begin at least 6-9 months before the Campus France deadline. Contact French universities by September to discuss nomination possibilities, as many institutions have internal deadlines in October or November.

Do I need to speak French for the Eiffel Scholarship?

Not necessarily. If your program is taught in English, French proficiency is not mandatory. That said, basic French helps with daily life, and some programs may require it.

Can students already studying in France apply for Eiffel Scholarship?

PhD candidates already in France may be eligible. Master's-level candidates currently studying in France are not.

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