Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs · All India
| Scheme Name | Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program |
| Provided By | French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters, PhD · No income limit |
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 of €1,200 (approximately INR 1,31,844) for Master's students and €2,100 (approximately INR 2,30,727) for PhD students, effective from January 2026. In addition to the monthly stipend, the scholarship covers international transportation (round trip airfare), national transportation within France, health insurance, assistance with housing searches, and access to cultural activities. It is important to note that tuition fees are not directly covered by the Eiffel program itself. However, Eiffel laureates are typically exempt from registration fees for national diplomas or engineering degrees at public French institutions. The international travel and insurance components are provided as services, meaning Campus France arranges and pays for them directly, rather than disbursing cash to the student. There are no details regarding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts, as this is an international scholarship.
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Nationality:Open exclusively to international applicants. Candidates with dual nationality, one of which is French, are not eligible.
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Age Limit (for 2026/2027 intake):
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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.*
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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.*
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Target Degree Levels:Master's (M1 or M2), Engineering Degree, PhD.
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Previous Study in France:
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Master's level:Generally not eligible if currently studying in France.
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PhD level:Eligible if currently studying in France, but candidates applying from abroad are given priority.
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Prior French Government Scholarships:Candidates who have previously received an Eiffel scholarship or another French government scholarship at the same level are not eligible.
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Nomination:Students cannot apply directly. Candidates must be nominated by a French higher education institution.
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Fields of Study:The scholarship is awarded in specific fields:
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Science and Technology:Biology and health, Ecological transition, Mathematics and digital, Engineering sciences.
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Humanities and Social Sciences:French history, language and civilization, Law and political sciences, Economics and management.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters, PhD |
| Course / Stream | Masters, PhD |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All 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
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The selection process for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is highly competitive and exclusively managed by French higher education institutions. Students cannot apply directly to Campus France.
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Eligibility Criteria:
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Nationality:Candidates must be of foreign nationality; French nationals (including dual nationals holding French citizenship) are not eligible.
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Age Limit:For Master's programs, applicants must be under 29 years old at the time of selection (e.g., born after March 31, 1996 for the 2026 cycle). For PhD programs, applicants must be under 35 years old at the time of selection (e.g., born after March 31, 1990 for the 2026 cycle).
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Academic Excellence:Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic results and strong potential in their chosen field of study.
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Field of Study:The scholarship covers specific priority areas, divided into two main disciplinary fields:
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Science and Technology:Biology and Health, Ecological Transition, Mathematics and Digital, Engineering Sciences.
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Humanities and Social Sciences:History, French language and civilization, Law and political science, Economics and management.
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Current Study Status:For Master's level, candidates should generally not be already studying in France. For PhD level, candidates abroad are prioritized over those already residing in France.
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Previous Scholarships:Candidates must not have previously received an Eiffel scholarship at the same level of study and cannot hold another French government scholarship, an Erasmus+ scholarship, or a scholarship from the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie.
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Selection Process:
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University Application:Students must first apply for admission to a Master's or PhD program at a French higher education institution.
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Institutional Nomination:The French institution evaluates the applicant's profile. If deemed an exceptional candidate, the institution nominates them for the Eiffel scholarship and submits the application to Campus France on their behalf.
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National Selection:Campus France, on behalf of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, reviews all nominations from institutions across France. The final selection is made by a committee of expert panels.
Renewal Policy
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The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is awarded for a specific duration corresponding to the academic program, starting on September 1 of the award year.
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Master's Level:Maximum of 12 months for enrollment in M2, 24 months for M1, and 36 months for an engineering degree.
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Doctorate Level:Maximum of 12 to 36 months, depending on the program.
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Conditions for Continuation:
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Recipients must meet the academic requirements of each successive year of their curriculum to continue receiving scholarship benefits.
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If a recipient is compelled to repeat a year due to failure to meet academic requirements, the scholarship is suspended.
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The scholarship is awarded only for the academic year corresponding to the call for applications, and the stay must begin between September 1 and November 30 of that year. No postponement of the scholarship is possible.
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Only the parts of the study program occurring in France are funded by the scholarship, with an exception for required internships or exchange periods abroad, which are capped at one year, provided the period abroad does not exceed the total time spent in France.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Research Programs and Institutions
Begin by identifying Master's or PhD programs in eligible fields of study offered by French higher education institutions that align with your academic and career goals.
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Contact the Institution's International Relations Department: Reach out to the International Relations office of your target French university or *Grande École*. Inquire specifically about their internal process for Eiffel Scholarship nominations and their deadlines, which are typically earlier than the Campus France deadline.
- 3Apply for University Admission
Submit your application for admission to the chosen Master's or PhD program at the French institution. This is a crucial step, as securing admission (or at least having an application in progress) is often a prerequisite for nomination.
- 4Prepare Your Application Dossier
Assemble all necessary supporting documents, which typically include academic transcripts (translated if necessary), an updated CV highlighting academic excellence and any research/leadership experience, a compelling motivation letter, a detailed research proposal (for PhD applicants), language proficiency certificates (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, DELF, DALF), and letters of recommendation from professors or employers. Ensure these documents meet the institution's specific requirements and are submitted before their internal deadline.
- 5Seek Nomination from the Institution
Explicitly state your interest in being nominated for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship when applying to the university. If the institution considers you an exceptional candidate, they will take the lead in preparing and submitting your scholarship application to Campus France on your behalf.
- 6Status Tracking and Results
Once your application is submitted by the institution, you will wait for the results. Campus France announces the results, generally in late March or early April of the year of study (e.g., March 2026 for the 2026 cycle). Each institution receives an email with the results for its submitted applications, and successful candidates will receive an acceptance letter. There is no direct online portal for students to track the status of their Eiffel scholarship application.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Can students apply directly for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program?
No, students cannot apply directly for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship. Applications must be submitted exclusively by French higher education institutions on behalf of the candidates. Students must first apply for admission to a Master's or PhD program at a French institution and be nominated by them.
Does the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship cover tuition fees?
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship program itself does not directly cover tuition fees. However, as an Eiffel laureate, you are typically granted an exemption from university registration fees for national diplomas or engineering degrees at public French higher education institutions. It is advisable to confirm this arrangement in writing with your chosen institution.
What are the age limits for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?
For Master's programs, applicants must be under 29 years old at the time of the selection committee. For PhD programs, applicants must be under 35 years old at the time of the selection committee. For the 2026 cycle, this typically means being born after March 31, 1996, for Master's and after March 31, 1990, for PhD candidates.
Plan your study abroad
Use these guides to plan your next steps. Check this scholarship's eligibility before choosing a university or program.
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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.