The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is the French government’s flagship award for international students. It is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and managed by Campus France. Every year it brings strong master’s and PhD candidates from around the world to study at French universities and grandes écoles. The 2027 call opened on 2 October 2026.
The Eiffel works differently from most scholarships: you cannot apply for it directly. A French institution has to nominate you. This guide explains how that works and what you need to do.
Quick Overview
- Funded by: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (managed by Campus France)
- Study levels: Master’s (including engineering degrees) and PhD
- Monthly allowance: €1,200 for master’s students, €2,000 for PhD students
- Duration: Up to 12, 24 or 36 months, depending on your programme
- Age limit: 29 for master’s candidates, 35 for PhD candidates
- Institution deadline: 6 January 2027. Your own deadline will be earlier and is set by your university.
- Results: Week of 12 April 2027
What the Scholarship Covers
Eiffel scholars receive a monthly living allowance:
| Level | Monthly allowance |
|---|---|
| Master’s | €1,200 |
| PhD | €2,000 |
The French government also pays directly for:
- A return international flight
- Travel within France
- Health insurance
- Help finding accommodation
- Cultural activities
Note: The scholarship does not cover tuition fees. Check the fees for your chosen programme, as some French institutions waive or reduce them for Eiffel scholars.
How Long the Scholarship Lasts
Master’s level:
- Up to 12 months if you are entering the second year of a master’s (M2)
- Up to 24 months if you are entering the first year (M1)
- Up to 36 months for an engineering degree (diplôme d’ingénieur)
PhD level:
- Up to 36 months for first-year PhD students who are not yet enrolled at a French institution
- Up to 18 months if you are in the first or second year of a PhD under joint supervision (cotutelle or co-direction)
- Up to 12 months if you are in the second or third year of such a PhD
Eligible Fields of Study
The scholarship is limited to seven priority fields:
Science and technology
- Biology and health
- Ecological transition
- Mathematics and digital sciences
- Engineering sciences
Humanities and social sciences
- French history, language and civilisation
- Law and political science
- Economics and management
Who Is Eligible?
- You must be an international (non-French) student.
- Master’s candidates must be 29 or younger, and PhD candidates 35 or younger.
- You must be applying for a degree programme at a French higher education institution in one of the fields above.
- That institution must agree to nominate you.
How to Apply
This is the step many applicants get wrong. Only French higher education institutions can submit Eiffel applications to Campus France. Students cannot apply on their own.
- Choose your programme. Find a master’s or PhD programme at a French institution in one of the eligible fields.
- Apply for admission to that programme as you normally would.
- Ask about the Eiffel. Contact the programme’s admissions or international relations office and tell them you want to be nominated for the Eiffel Scholarship. Each institution sets its own internal deadline, usually several weeks before 6 January 2027.
- Prepare your documents. You will need to sign a candidate commitment form (the “engagement boursier”). Your institution will tell you what else it needs, such as transcripts, a CV, a motivation letter and, for PhDs, a research project.
- The institution submits your file to Campus France by 6 January 2027.
- Expert review. Panels of academics appointed by the ministry score each application using published grading grids.
- Results are emailed to winners and institutions in the week of 12 April 2027.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Start early. Institutions review candidates internally before nominating anyone. If you contact them in December, it may already be too late.
- Choose institutions that nominate Eiffel candidates. Ask the department directly whether it puts forward Eiffel candidates and how many.
- Show academic excellence. The Eiffel is a merit scholarship, and strong grades and achievements count for a lot.
- Explain your future impact. The programme aims to train future leaders in partner countries. Show how your studies in France will help you contribute back home.
- Read the scoring grids. Campus France publishes the criteria experts use for master’s and PhD applications. Write your motivation letter with those criteria in mind.
Official Resources
- France Excellence Eiffel programme page (Campus France)
- 2027 scholarship regulations (PDF, French)
- Eiffel FAQ
Questions about the programme can be sent to Campus France at [email protected]. For questions about your own nomination, contact the French institution you are applying to.
