About this opportunity
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and managed by Campus France, attracts top international students to master's and PhD programs at French institutions in seven priority fields. Scholars receive a monthly allowance of €1,200 at master's level and €2,000 at doctoral level, plus international airfare, insurance, housing assistance, and cultural activities. Tuition is not covered, and applications cannot be submitted directly: French institutions alone nominate candidates to Campus France.
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is a partially funded scholarship offered by Campus France / French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for applicants heading to France.
Who should apply?
This may be a fit if the following points describe you. Always use the official criteria as the final check.
- Be a non-French national (French citizens are ineligible)
- Master's or engineering level: be no older than 29
- Doctoral level: be no older than 35
- Be accepted by and nominated through a French higher education institution (only institution-submitted applications are accepted)
- Pursue a program in one of the 7 priority fields (biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital, engineering, history/French language and civilization, law and political science, economics and management)
- Demonstrate outstanding academic merit
- PhD candidates typically pursue joint supervision (cotutelle) involving a French and a foreign institution
What the opportunity may offer
- Monthly allowance of €1,200 at master's level (effective January 1, 2026)
- Monthly allowance of €2,000 at doctoral level (effective January 1, 2026)
- International return airfare paid directly
- Domestic travel support within France
- Health and social insurance coverage
- Assistance in locating housing plus cultural activities
- Not covered: tuition and fees are not paid by the Eiffel program at either level
Required documents
- Passport or national ID copy
- Academic transcripts and diplomas
- CV
- Motivation letter or study plan
- Language proficiency certificates (French and/or English per program)
- Letters of recommendation
- The institution's official nomination dossier submitted via the Campus France platform
Application process
- Identify eligible French institutions and programs in one of the 7 priority fields
- Apply to the institution's own admission process well before its internal deadline
- Request that the institution support your Eiffel nomination
- The institution compiles your dossier and submits it online via Campus France's platform
- You cannot apply directly to Campus France: dossiers sent by students are rejected as ineligible
- Campus France's selection committee reviews nominated dossiers and notifies institutions of results
Before you apply
- □Check the deadline in your own time zone
- □Confirm that you meet every eligibility condition set by Campus France / French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- □Prepare your 7 required documents in the format asked for
- □Ask referees early and share the official instructions
- □Review the official source once more before submitting
Deadline notes
The 2026 campaign closed on January 8, 2026 and the 2027 call opened in early October 2026, but no 2027 national deadline could be confirmed on an official Campus France source at publication. Crucially, candidates never apply by the national deadline directly: each French institution sets its own earlier internal deadline (e.g., Université Grenoble Alpes closed master's nominations on November 16, 2026), so applicants must contact target institutions immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Eiffel Scholarship directly?
No. Applications are submitted solely by French higher education institutions that have accepted and selected you; dossiers sent directly by students or foreign institutions are declared ineligible.
Does the Eiffel Scholarship cover tuition fees?
No. The official regulations state tuition and fees are not paid by the Eiffel program at either the master's or the doctoral level. Recipients of French government scholarships may qualify for fee exemptions for national diplomas at public institutions; confirm with your host university.
How much is the monthly allowance?
€1,200 per month at master's level and €2,000 per month at doctoral level, effective January 1, 2026. Master's awards run 12 to 36 months depending on entry level; doctoral awards run 12, 18, or 36 months.
What are the age limits?
Up to 29 years old at master's level and up to 35 years old at PhD level.
What fields of study are eligible?
Seven priority fields: biology and health; ecological transition; mathematics and digital sciences; engineering sciences; history, French language and civilization; law and political science; economics and management.
Programme details can change. Check the original listing before you prepare or submit an application.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-25UShireZone is not affiliated with Campus France / French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. We never charge applicants to apply. Always verify details and submit through the official website.