Many students dream of studying in France. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship can make that dream real. It is a fully funded scholarship from the French government. About 350 students win it every year.
But there is one rule that surprises almost everyone. You cannot send your own application. A French university must do it for you. If you miss this point, your application will be rejected before anyone reads it.
This guide explains how the scholarship works and what you should do first.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship |
| Funded by | French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
| Managed by | Campus France |
| Levels | Master’s and Doctoral PhD |
| Host country | France |
| Awards per year | About 350 |
| University submission deadline | 6 January 2027 |
| Results | Week of 12 April 2027 |
| Monthly allowance Master’s | €1200 under current guidelines |
| Monthly allowance Doctoral | €2100 under current guidelines |
What the Eiffel Scholarship Is
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is provided by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Its goal is simple. It helps French universities bring strong international students to France.
The scholarship is for two levels of study:
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral or PhD degree
All French universities and higher education schools can take part. This gives you a very wide choice of places to study.
Scholarship Coverage
This is a strong scholarship for international students. It covers:
- A monthly allowance for Master’s students (€1200 under current guidelines)
- A monthly allowance for Doctoral students (€2100 under current guidelines)
- International airfare
- Support for travel inside France
- Health insurance
- Help finding housing and joining cultural activities
There is also good news about tuition. Students who get a French government scholarship do not pay tuition fees. This applies to programs that lead to a national diploma such as a Master’s or a Doctorate. It also applies to an accredited engineering degree.
Always check the official Campus France regulations for the exact current amounts and conditions before planning your budget.
Fields of Study You Can Choose
The scholarship covers many subjects. The main areas are:
Science and technology
- Biology and health
- Ecological transition
- Mathematics and digital sciences
- Engineering sciences
Social and human sciences
- History French language and civilization
- Law and political science
- Economics and management
Always check the latest list on the official site for the 2027 round before you pick your subject.
How Long the Scholarship Lasts
The length depends on your level of study.
Master’s level
- 12 months at most for M2 the second year of a Master’s
- 24 months at most for M1 the first year of a Master’s
- 36 months at most for an engineering degree
Doctoral level
- 12 to 36 months
Think about this before you apply. If you want to study for the full two years of a Master’s the scholarship may not cover everything, depending on your program. Ask your university about this early.
Age limits also apply under current rules. Master’s candidates are generally limited to 29 years. Doctoral candidates are generally limited to 35 years. Confirm the exact rules for 2027.
Application Dates
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Call opened | 2 October 2026 |
| University internal deadlines | Vary – often Oct to Dec 2026 |
| Final university submission to Campus France | 6 January 2027 |
| Results announced | Week of 12 April 2027 |
The deadline is for the university submission. That means your own deadline is earlier. Ask each university when they need your documents.
Why Many Students Make Mistakes
Most students think they should fill in a form and send it. That does not work here. The French university has a limited number of nominations. They will choose students who are strong and who fit their programs well.
So you should do these things early:
- Pick French programs that match your subject
- Contact the university and ask about the Eiffel nomination process
- Prepare strong grades and a clear study plan
- Talk to your local Campus France office as soon as possible
Do not wait until January. Universities need time to review candidates before the final date. Many close their internal calls in October, November or December 2026.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
This is the most important part. The process is not like other scholarships.
Step 1. Talk to Campus France and choose your programs
Contact the Campus France office in your own country. Use the Campus France website to explore eligible programs and universities. Pick French programs that match your subject and goals.
Step 2. Contact French universities early
Reach out to the international relations office or program coordinators at the universities that interest you. Ask about their internal Eiffel nomination process and their internal deadline. These internal deadlines are always earlier than the national date.
Step 3. Win the university’s support
Your chosen French university must agree to support and nominate you. Then the university sends your application online through the special Campus France platform.
Here is the key warning. Applications sent by students themselves will be declared ineligible. Applications sent by foreign universities are also ineligible.
So your real job is to win the support of a French university first. The scholarship comes second.
