Study Abroad Scholarship · Masters, PhD

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program

French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs · All India

Annual Award€1,200/mo (approx. ₹13.0 Lakh+)
Deadline8 Jan
Scheme NameEiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
Provided ByFrench Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Eligibility SummaryClass 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

€1,200/mo (approx. ₹13.0 Lakh+)

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship provides a monthly allowance, effective from January 2026, of €1,200 for Master's level students and €2,100 for PhD level students. This translates to approximately INR 1,32,000 per month for Master's students and INR 2,31,000 per month for PhD students (using an approximate exchange rate of 1 EUR = 110 INR). The scholarship also includes direct coverage of several services: international and national transportation, health insurance, assistance with finding housing, and cultural activities. While the scholarship itself does not cover tuition fees, Eiffel laureates are automatically exempt from differentiated tuition fees at public institutions. The total annual amount can range from approximately INR 1,584,000 for a 12-month Master 2 program to INR 8,316,000 for a 36-month PhD program.

  • Nationality:Open exclusively to international applicants. Candidates with dual nationality, one of which is French, are not eligible.

  • Age Limit (for 2026/2027 intake):

  • Master's level:Applicants must be 25 years old or younger at the time of the 2026 call (i.e., born after March 31, 1996). *Note: Some institutions may accept candidates up to 29 years old, but the stricter 25-year limit is mentioned by Campus France affiliated sources for the 2026 call.*

  • PhD level:Applicants must be 30 years old or younger at the time of the 2026 call (i.e., born after March 31, 1990). *Note: Some institutions may accept candidates up to 35 years old, but the stricter 30-year limit is mentioned by Campus France affiliated sources for the 2026 call.*

  • Target Degree Levels:Master's (M1 or M2), Engineering Degree, PhD.

  • Previous Study in France:

  • Master's level:Generally not eligible if currently studying in France.

  • PhD level:Eligible if currently studying in France, but candidates applying from abroad are given priority.

  • Prior French Government Scholarships:Candidates who have previously received an Eiffel scholarship or another French government scholarship at the same level are not eligible.

  • Nomination:Students cannot apply directly. Candidates must be nominated by a French higher education institution.

  • Fields of Study:The scholarship is awarded in specific fields:

  • Science and Technology:Biology and health, Ecological transition, Mathematics and digital, Engineering sciences.

  • Humanities and Social Sciences:French history, language and civilization, Law and political sciences, Economics and management.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education LevelMasters, PhD
Course / StreamMasters, PhD
Income LimitNo income bar
Category / CasteGeneral, OBC, SC, ST
Domicile StateAll India

Mandatory Documents Checklist

  • Copy of passport (ID page) or national ID
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) in French or English (1-2 pages), detailing achievements and experiences
  • Copies of all higher education academic transcripts of records (officially translated into French or English if original is not in these languages)
  • Copies of higher education degrees or certificates of completion, with dates, specializations, and honors (officially translated if needed)
  • Motivation letter/Professional project (1-2 pages in French or English), explaining study plans, career goals, and reasons for studying in France
  • Two letters of recommendation (typically from academic supervisors or employers)
  • Proof of language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, DELF, DALF), relevant to the language of instruction of the chosen program
  • Documents showing academic excellence (e.g., academic ranking certificates, Dean's list, prizes, merit scholarships) (optional but highly recommended)
  • Registration certificate for the current academic year (if applicable)
  • For PhD applicants: Cotutelle agreement or co-supervision certificate signed by both French and foreign parties (if applicable)

Selection Process

  • The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship program is highly selective, rewarding international students with outstanding academic abilities

  • Candidates cannot apply directly for the scholarship

  • The application process is initiated by French higher education institutions, which pre-select and nominate eligible students

  • Institutions typically look for excellent academic records, strong research profiles, and compelling motivation letters

  • The selection committee, composed of experts in various fields, bases a significant portion of its evaluation on the candidates' academic results (e.g., some sources indicate 80%)

  • Priority is given to applicants from outside France for Master's level studies, and for PhD, candidates abroad are prioritized over those already resident in France.

Renewal Policy

  • The Eiffel scholarship is awarded for the academic year corresponding to the call for applications, and no postponement is possible

  • For Master's degree applicants, the scholarship is awarded for a maximum of 12 months for an M2, 24 months for an M1, or 36 months for an engineering degree, on the condition that the student meets the academic obligations for each year of the course

  • For the doctoral level, the scholarship can be awarded for 12 to 36 months, also contingent on academic progress and, for certain cases, a co-supervision/co-direction agreement

  • Scholarship recipients must submit a certificate of academic enrollment and a certificate of enrollment in the national health insurance scheme to Campus France as soon as their program begins

  • They are also required to communicate their academic status and progress to Campus France twice yearly.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

  • 1

    Research Eligible Programs & Institutions: Identify French higher education institutions (universities or 'Grandes Écoles') and Master's or PhD programs that align with your academic and career goals and are eligible for the Eiffel Scholarship. The scholarship covers specific priority fields: Science and Technology (Biology and Health, Ecological Transition, Mathematics and Digital Sciences, Engineering Sciences) and Humanities and Social Sciences (History, French Language and Civilisation, Law and Political Science, Economics and Management).

  • 2
    Contact French Institutions Directly

    Reach out to the International Relations Department of your chosen French institution well in advance (typically between August and October for the 2027 cycle). Express your interest in their program and your desire to be nominated for the Eiffel Scholarship. Inquire about their internal application procedures and deadlines for Eiffel nominations, which are usually earlier than the official Campus France deadline.

  • 3
    Apply for Admission to the Program

    Submit your application to the Master's or PhD program at the French institution as per their standard admission process. Securing an admission offer is often a prerequisite for nomination. Ensure your application highlights academic excellence, research experience (for PhD), and a clear career vision tied to France.

  • 4
    Prepare Nomination Dossier Documents

    If the institution agrees to nominate you, you will need to provide them with the necessary documents for the scholarship application. These typically include: * Academic transcripts for all higher education studies (translated into English or French). * Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting academic achievements, leadership, and any relevant experience. * Motivation letter specifically for the Eiffel scholarship, outlining your study/research project and career goals. * Copy of passport. * Higher education diplomas or certificates of completion. * Letters of recommendation from professors or employers. * Language proficiency certificates (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL for English-taught programs; DELF, DALF for French-taught programs, if required by the program). * Documents showing academic excellence (e.g., rankings, Dean's list, prizes).

  • 5
    Institution Submits Application

    The French institution will evaluate your profile and, if selected, will submit your complete Eiffel Scholarship application to Campus France on your behalf. Students cannot submit applications directly to Campus France.

  • 6
    Await Results

    Campus France reviews all nominations from institutions across France. Results are typically published in late March or early April (e.g., from March 30, 2026, for the 2026-2027 cycle). Successful applicants will be notified via their nominating institution and receive an acceptance letter from Campus France.

  • 7
    Status Tracking

    While there isn't a direct student portal for tracking Eiffel application status, your nominating institution will be informed of the results by Campus France. You can generally follow up with the international relations department of the institution that nominated you.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Can I apply directly for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program?

No, you cannot apply directly for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship. The scholarship program requires that French higher education institutions nominate candidates. You must first apply for admission to a Master's or PhD program at a French university or 'Grande École' and express your interest in being nominated for the Eiffel Scholarship to their international relations department. The institution will then decide whether to put your application forward to Campus France.

What are the age limits for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?

For the Master's level, applicants must be no older than 29 years at the time of the selection committee (e.g., born after March 31, 1996, for the 2026 cycle). For the Doctoral level, applicants must be no older than 35 years at the time of the selection committee (e.g., born after March 31, 1990, for the 2026 cycle).

Does the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship cover tuition fees?

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program itself does not directly cover tuition fees. However, a significant benefit for Eiffel laureates is that they are automatically exempt from paying the differentiated tuition fees for non-EU students at public French higher education institutions. This exemption can be substantial, as these fees can be around €3,950 (approximately INR 4,33,987) per year for Master's programs.

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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs website before final submission.