What Is the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship?

The Eiffel Scholarship Programme supports outstanding international students pursuing eligible higher education programmes in France. It focuses on priority academic fields and aims to develop future decision-makers in the public and private sectors.

The programme covers eligible master's-level studies and doctoral arrangements under its published regulations. Applications are submitted by French higher education institutions that select and support candidates.

• Scholarship authority: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
• Programme administrator: Campus France.
• Study levels: Eligible master's programmes, engineering degrees and doctoral arrangements.
• Application route: Through a participating French higher education institution.
• Selection: Competitive assessment based on academic quality and programme criteria.

The Eiffel Scholarship is not automatically a fully funded award covering all tuition and living expenses. Review the official award conditions and the university's fee policy before accepting an offer.

France Eiffel Scholarship 2027: Application Deadline

The 2027 application campaign opened on 2 October 2026. The official deadline below applies to applications submitted by French institutions to Campus France, not necessarily to the date by which students must apply to a university.

Universities can set earlier internal deadlines for admission, candidate selection and nomination. Contact your chosen institution as soon as possible and confirm its deadline directly.

Official calendar: France Excellence Eiffel 2027 – Call for Applications

Eligibility Requirements for Master's Applicants

The 2027 programme specifies a maximum age of 29 for master's-level candidates, subject to the official age calculation. Applicants must also meet the relevant university admission requirements and programme rules.

• Hold a suitable academic background for the selected master's programme.
• Meet the official nationality and eligibility conditions.
• Be within the applicable age limit for the 2027 selection campaign.
• Apply to a programme in an eligible field of study.
• Meet the university's academic and language requirements.
• Secure support and nomination from a French higher education institution.

The institution may require a bachelor's degree, academic transcripts, a motivation statement, references or additional course-specific documents. Check its instructions rather than assuming that all universities use the same criteria.

Eligibility Requirements for PhD Applicants

The 2027 programme specifies a maximum age of 35 for doctoral-level candidates, subject to the detailed rules. Doctoral applicants must ensure that their proposed doctoral arrangement and study period fit the programme regulations.

• Have an academic profile appropriate for doctoral study.
• Identify a relevant French institution, research environment and doctoral project.
• Meet the programme's nationality and age requirements.
• Provide a research proposal and supervisor-related documents if requested.
• Meet the institution's doctoral admission requirements.
• Obtain institutional support for the Eiffel application.

Doctoral eligibility and scholarship duration can depend on whether the applicant is beginning a doctorate in France or is already enrolled, as well as on joint supervision or cotutelle arrangements. Review the current 2027 regulations for the exact conditions.

Eligible Fields of Study

The Eiffel programme covers seven areas grouped under science and technology, and humanities and social sciences.

Your chosen programme must meet the current Eiffel rules. Confirm eligibility with the institution before investing time in the application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Choose your study level: Decide whether you are applying for an eligible master's programme, engineering degree or doctoral pathway.
2. Research French institutions: Identify universities and higher education institutions offering a suitable programme in an eligible field.
3. Contact the international relations office: Ask whether the institution plans to nominate candidates for the 2027 Eiffel campaign.
4. Confirm the internal deadline: Obtain the university's deadline for admission documents and scholarship consideration. It may be earlier than 6 January 2027.
5. Check admission requirements: Review academic qualifications, language requirements, application fees if applicable and any programme-specific conditions.
6. Prepare your documents: Follow the university's instructions for transcripts, CV, motivation statement, research proposal and other requested documents.
7. Submit your university application: Complete the course application if required by the institution's process.
8. Request Eiffel consideration: Tell the university that you wish to be considered for the Eiffel Scholarship and follow its internal selection process.
9. Institution selects candidates: The university evaluates applicants and decides which candidates it will support.
10. Institution submits the Eiffel application: If selected, the French institution completes the formal online submission to Campus France.
11. Track communications: Save application records and check email and university portals for updates.

Important: Applications submitted directly by students or by foreign institutions are ineligible under the programme rules. Your French higher education institution must submit the formal Eiffel application.

Documents Required for the Eiffel Scholarship

The exact list is determined by the institution and the current programme rules. Applicants may be asked for:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• A current CV or résumé.
• A motivation letter explaining academic interests and career goals.
• Research proposal, project outline or supervisor details for doctoral applications, where requested.
• English or French language proficiency evidence, if required by the programme.
• Passport or identity details needed for eligibility verification.
• Recommendation letters or evidence of relevant experience, if requested.
• University admission forms and institution-specific declarations.

Follow the official checklist supplied by the university. Some documents may need translations, certified copies or specific formats. Do not send unnecessary sensitive documents through unofficial channels.

Scholarship Benefits for Master's and PhD Students

From January 2026, Campus France lists a monthly allowance of €1,200 for master's recipients and €2,100 for doctoral recipients, together with specified support services. Confirm the conditions applicable to the 2027 award.

The Eiffel programme itself does not pay tuition fees. Any tuition exemption or reduction depends on separate applicable rules and the institution. Budget separately for tuition, housing, daily living expenses and any costs not covered by the award.

Official benefits details: Campus France – Benefits and Duration

How to Write a Strong Eiffel Scholarship Application

• Demonstrate academic excellence: Highlight relevant grades, research, projects, publications or professional achievements.
• Explain your study plan: Show why the selected programme fits your academic background and long-term objectives.
• Make your motivation specific: Refer to the course, research environment or academic expertise that supports your plans.
• Show future impact: Explain how the qualification may help you contribute to your field or community.
• Build a coherent academic profile: Make sure your CV, motivation letter, research proposal and course choice tell a consistent story.
• Meet every deadline: Keep a separate record of admission, internal nomination and national submission dates.
• Proofread all documents: Check accuracy, consistency, word limits and required supporting evidence.

Selection is competitive. Strong documents help communicate your suitability, but no essay format or application strategy guarantees a scholarship.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting an application directly to Campus France as a student.
• Waiting until the national deadline to contact a university.
• Assuming all French universities or courses automatically qualify.
• Ignoring age limits and other official eligibility rules.
• Submitting incomplete academic documents or an unclear study plan.
• Assuming the scholarship pays all tuition fees and living costs.
• Using old deadlines without checking the 2027 campaign details.
• Paying an agent who promises guaranteed selection or nomination.

Official Application Links

• France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship – Campus France — programme rules, eligibility and benefits.
• Eiffel 2027 Call for Applications — current campaign dates and fields of study.
• Campus France Eiffel Master Application Information — institutional submission procedure and deadline.
• French National Doctoral Platform – Eiffel Scholarship — doctoral eligibility and funding details.

Frequently Asked Questions