The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program, established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is an elite initiative aimed at attracting the world’s most promising international students to pursue their Master’s or PhD studies in France. It focuses on developing future decision-makers in both public and private sectors by supporting exceptional academic profiles in priority fields of study.
Applications for this scholarship cannot be submitted directly by students. Instead, French higher education institutions initiate and endorse candidates, submitting their applications on their behalf through Campus France. These institutions assess eligibility and forward the strongest applications for final selection.
The scholarship covers a monthly stipend but does not cover tuition fees. Master’s level recipients receive €1,181 per month along with benefits such as international and national travel, insurance, housing search assistance, and cultural activities. At the Doctoral level, the monthly stipend increases to €1,800, with similar additional benefits.
Eligible fields span across science, technology, and the humanities, including domains such as biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital technologies, engineering sciences, French history and civilization, law and political science, economics, and management. The duration of support depends on the level and program: at the Master’s level, candidates can receive funding for up to 12 months for second-year (M2) study, up to 24 months for first-year (M1), or up to 36 months for engineering degrees. At the PhD level, newly enrolled students can receive up to 36 months of support, while those in co-supervision or cotutelle arrangements may be funded for 12 to 18 months, depending on their year of enrollment.
Age and nationality are critical criteria. Master’s applicants must be 27 years or younger, and PhD applicants must be 32 years or younger, applying as of the selection date. Only candidates of foreign nationality are eligible; dual citizens including French nationality are excluded. For Master’s applicants, being currently enrolled in France makes one ineligible, whereas PhD applicants already in France remain eligible but those studying abroad are given priority.
The application timeline for the 2026 intake begins in October 2025 when the official call opens. For example, at Université Paris‑Saclay, applications will open on October 1, 2025, with an internal deadline on November 9, 2025; results are expected in April 2026. Similar schedules apply across other universities: Paris 1 Panthéon‑Sorbonne and Université de Strasbourg require internal submissions around November, followed by selections sent to Campus France and final decisions communicated in April. Candidate selection hinges on academic excellence, the relevance of the academic project, and alignment with the scholarship’s objectives.
Prospective applicants should first secure pre-admission or professorial support from a French institution, ensure their project clearly demonstrates excellence and professional ambition, and coordinate closely with their host institution’s International Relations office. Attention to detail in documentation like transcripts, motivation letters, CV, ranking information, language certificates, and co-supervision agreements is essential to build a compelling application.
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program represents a remarkable opportunity for driven scholars seeking to study at leading French institutions. It offers substantial financial support and prestigious recognition, enabling recipients to focus on academic growth without financial burden.