Study Abroad ScholarshipVerified for 2026

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program

French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

All India

Deadline: 8 Jan 2027

About the Program

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

Benefits & Financial Support

Total scholarship amount

€1,200/mo (approx. ₹13.0 Lakh+)

The scholarship provides a monthly allowance of €1,200 for Master's level and €2,100 for PhD level (effective January 2026). This translates to approximately 108,000 INR per month for Master's and 189,000 INR per month for PhD (assuming 1 EUR = 90 INR). In addition to the monthly stipend, the scholarship covers international round-trip travel, domestic travel within France, comprehensive health insurance (temporary before national, then national social security), assistance in locating accommodation, and access to cultural activities. Tuition fees are NOT directly covered by the Eiffel scholarship, but French higher education institutions that nominate candidates often provide tuition fee waivers. The scholarship duration for Master's programs can be 12, 24, or 36 months, and for PhD programs, 12, 18, or 36 months, depending on the academic program.

Inclusions

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

Educational Qualification

Masters, PhD

Must be enrolled in Masters, PhD. Minimum 75% marks required in previous exam.

Financial & Category

Income LimitNo Income Bar

Applicable CategoryGeneral, OBC, SC, ST

Selection Process

The selection process emphasizes academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to addressing global challenges
French higher education institutions pre-select and nominate candidates to Campus France, which then makes the final selection
Institutions typically look for strong academic records, such as an average grade of at least 15/20 (equivalent to approximately 75%) in the last three academic years or a GPA of 3.2-80%
Universities submit complete applications to Campus France by a national deadline (e.g., January 8th, 2026), after conducting their internal selection processes, which have earlier deadlines (e.g., November-December 2025)
Results are generally announced in spring (March-April).

Renewal Policy

The scholarship is awarded for the duration of the academic program, which can be 12 to 36 months for Master's and 12 to 36 months for PhD, depending on the specific program
To continue receiving scholarship benefits in subsequent years, recipients must meet the academic requirements of each successive year of their curriculum
If a recipient is compelled to repeat a year due to failure to meet academic requirements, the scholarship will be suspended.

Application Process

1
Identify a French Institution and Program
Research and choose a French higher education institution (university or *grande école*) and a Master's or PhD program that aligns with your academic and professional goals, and is eligible for the Eiffel program.
2
Apply for Admission to the Institution
Apply for admission to your chosen program at the French institution according to their specific admission procedures and deadlines.
3
Express Interest in Eiffel Scholarship
Inform the international relations office or the scholarship coordinator of your chosen institution about your intention to apply for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship.
4
Submit Documents to the Institution
Provide all required documents to the French institution by their internal deadline (these deadlines are typically in October, November, or early December 2025 for the 2026/2027 intake).
5
Institutional Nomination
If your profile is deemed excellent, the French institution will pre-select you and submit your application to Campus France on your behalf.
6
Await Results
Campus France reviews all nominations and announces the final list of selected candidates, generally in Spring (March-April 2026).

Documents Required

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)

Important Dates

Application Deadline

8 January 2027

The official deadline for French higher education institutions to submit applications to Campus France for the 2027/2028 academic intake is typically in early January. Based on the 2026/2027 campaign, this date is extrapolated to be January 8, 2027. Students must apply to a French institution, which then nominates them; institutional deadlines for student applications are usually in November or December of the preceding year (e.g., November-December 2026 for the 2027/2028 intake).

Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.

Scholarship Quick Facts

Provider TypeStudy Abroad

Education LevelMasters, PhD

Application Mode

State/RegionAll India

Income LimitNo Limit

Last Verified2026

Common Questions (FAQs)

Q.Can I apply directly for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program?

No, students cannot apply directly for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship. Applications must be submitted exclusively by a French higher education institution that has pre-selected and nominated you for the scholarship. Your primary step is to apply for admission to a Master's or PhD program at a French university or institution.

Q.Does the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship cover tuition fees?

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship itself does not directly cover tuition fees. However, French higher education institutions that nominate candidates for the Eiffel scholarship often provide tuition fee waivers to successful Eiffel scholars. So, in practice, most Eiffel scholars receive both the monthly stipend and free tuition.

Q.What are the key academic requirements for selection?

The scholarship is highly competitive and targets international students with exceptional academic merit. Institutions generally look for strong academic records, such as an average grade of at least 15/20 (equivalent to approximately 75%) in your previous academic years or a high GPA (e.g., 3.2-80%). Demonstrated leadership potential and a clear professional project are also important.

Q.Am I eligible to apply if I am already studying in France?

For Master's level applicants, generally, you are not eligible if you are already studying in France. For PhD level applicants, you may be eligible if you are already in France, but candidates applying from abroad are given priority in the selection process.

Help & Contact Support

Official Support

WebsiteVisit Official Portal

HelplineCheck portal for email/phone support

Need Application Help?

If you have trouble applying, you can check your eligibility or browse our step-by-step application guides.

Browse Application Guides Check Your Eligibility

Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, 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.