Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program 2026

Overview

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program is a prestigious initiative established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to help French higher education institutions attract the world’s best international students for master’s and PhD-level studies in France. The programme is administered by Campus France and targets high-achieving students from priority countries in key disciplines including science and technology, economics and management, law and political science. Note that applicants cannot apply directly — the scholarship is awarded through nomination by a French higher education institution.

What’s Included?

• Monthly allowance of approximately €1,181 for master’s students and €1,400 for doctoral students
• International return flight to France
• French social security coverage
• Cultural activities and events organized by Campus France
• Some candidates may qualify for an additional housing allowance (subject to conditions)

Important: Tuition fees are generally NOT covered by the Eiffel scholarship. Students are responsible for their own tuition fees, though many French public universities have relatively low tuition fees for EU and international students.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are defined by the annual campaign rules. Key requirements generally include:

• Not a French citizen or permanent resident in France
• Age limits apply: typically under 25 for master’s level; under 30 for doctoral level (check annual rules)
• Nominated by a French higher education institution that participates in the Eiffel programme
• Enrolled in or applying to an eligible full-time master’s or doctoral programme at the nominating institution
• Strong academic record and meeting the institution’s internal pre-selection criteria

How to Apply

Because you cannot apply directly, the process begins by identifying French higher education institutions that offer programmes in your area of interest and that participate in the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme. Contact the international admissions office of your target French institution well in advance of the scholarship deadline, and request to be nominated for the Eiffel scholarship. If the institution agrees to nominate you, they will submit your application to Campus France by their internal deadline, which must be before the Campus France deadline. You should simultaneously apply for admission to the programme through the institution’s regular admissions process.

Key Dates

Event	Date
Call opens	October 1, 2025
Campus France application deadline	January 8, 2026
Results published	From March 30, 2026
Studies commence	September 2026 (French academic year)

Contact Information

For full programme details and the list of eligible disciplines and institutions, visit the official Campus France Eiffel programme page at campusfrance.org. For institution-specific guidance, contact the international office of your target French university directly.