Have you ever considered pursuing your Master’s or PhD degree without worrying about finances?
The France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is here to make that possible. As students, you have a fantastic opportunity to pursue your academic goals in France. This blog will tell you everything about the Eiffel Excellence scholarship, so stay tuned!
What is the France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program is a prestigious program by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The main goal behind this scholarship is to welcome new international students every year who want to pursue their Master’s or PhD degrees in France.
Here is the breakdown of this scholarship in France:
- This scholarship is for international students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees in France.
- Scholarship provider: French Ministry For Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Financial support: This scholarship covers your living expenses, travel (international and domestic), and potentially housing and insurance.
- It is a fully-funded scholarship in France.
Fields of study
There are two disciplines of the Eiffel Excellence scholarship program:
Science and technology
- Biology and health
- Ecological transition
- Mathematics and digital sciences
- Engineering
Humanities and Social Sciences
- French history, language, and civilisation
- Law and political science
- Economics and management
Duration of Eiffel Excellence scholarship
The scholarship period begins between September 1 and December 31st of the year the scholarship is awarded.
Master’s level
- The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship can be granted to cover a pre-defined number of months to help students.
- In addition to language training, the scholarship duration is limited to 12 months for Master’s 2 level, 24 months for Master’s 1 level, and 36 months for an engineering degree.
- The scholarship can fund internships that comprise up to 25% of the entire master’s program duration.
- The Eiffel scholarship only covers academic programs that take place in France.
- Gap years are allowed but not financed by this scholarship.
phD level
- The Eiffel scholarships are granted for 6 to 36 months, starting on September 1 of the year the award is given.
- The scholarship duration for PhD level will be determined based on the following points:
- The scholarship duration of 36 months requires registration in the first year.
The duration of the scholarship, ranging from 6 to 18 months, varies based on the enrollment year and is particularly advantageous for candidates already involved in a joint doctoral program:
- A maximum of six months is allocated for students entering the third year of their doctoral program.
- A maximum of twelve months is allocated for students entering the second year of their doctoral program.
- A maximum of eighteen months is allocated for students entering the first year of their doctoral program.
Upon approval by the Selection Committee, the period of stay can be divided into multiple segments. Nevertheless, each segment covered by the scholarship must be a minimum of 6 months and cannot exceed three years.
Benefits of the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
- Students enrolled in public educational institutions who are recipients of the French government scholarship do not need to pay enrolment fees.
- Master’s level: The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship covers a monthly allowance of €1,181 (maintenance allowance of €1,031 and a monthly stipend of €150). In addition to this, this scholarship also covers round-trip international tickets, Health insurance and cultural activities.
- PhD level: The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship covers a monthly allowance of €1800 (since 1 January 2024). It also covers round-trip international tickets, Health insurance, and cultural activities.
The scholarship funds are disbursed monthly through a wire transfer to a French bank account the student will open when they begin the academic program.
Other benefits of the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Accommodation
With this scholarship, you can request assistance from Campus France to find accommodation in CROUS or private student residences.
Housing allowance (subject to revision on January 1st, 2023)
- Private accommodation: If you live outside university residences, you can request an additional housing allowance. Simply submit your first rent payment receipt, including your name and address, and a copy of the housing contract within three months of signing it.
- The housing allowance is fixed at €115 per month, regardless of location.
- Students in Paris and the Paris region have a unique circumstance: since October 1st, 2003, those accommodated by Campus France in regulated residences in France do not qualify for the €115 housing allowance. This is because their rent is already subsidised in part by the Eiffel program.
The amount of subsidy will depend on the residence you choose.
- If you choose to depart from France during your studies or internships and vacate your accommodation there, the housing allowance will be suspended.
- The housing allowance will cease or be put on hold during a gap year.
Travel
- Scholarship recipients residing outside France at the time of selection have their international flight tickets to France covered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Campus France administers the provision of these tickets.
- Special case: PhD students who can divide their scholarship into multiple stays or periods will receive only one round-trip ticket.
Travel benefit is provided as follows:
- International transportation: a return ticket from France to the country of origin.
- Transportation includes a train ticket to the initial study location and a train ticket from the final study location to the airport for the return journey to the country of origin.
This scholarship also covers airfare in the least expensive class available.
The scholarship covers travel expenses between the international airports nearest to recipients’ homes abroad and their academic institutions in France.
Students will be reimbursed for up to 50% of the airfare cost, based on the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs rate for travel originating from their respective countries.
Scholarship students can also request reimbursement for domestic travel expenses to reach their academic destination in France.
The reimbursement will be determined according to the expenses incurred for second-class train or bus tickets from the arrival airport to the academic institution.
Health Insurance
As this Eiffel Excellence Scholarship will be granted to you, you have to send a copy of your arrival (stamped visa, passport, boarding pass) to the French Ministry, as they will receive your email, your health insurance will be insured to you.
With a European Health Insurance Card, You will have access to healthcare services in France, with partial reimbursement of medical expenses, mirroring their coverage in their home country.
For students who have previously stayed in France and were registered with French Social Security (e.g., after a gap year):
Cultural activities
Under this scholarship, Campus France offers:
- Weekend trips allow you to relax for a day or two, meet fellow students, and explore a French city, region, or European capital.
- Enjoy short stays of 3 to 4 days, during which you’ll explore the culture and sights of a French region or a European capital. These trips offer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, perfect for leisurely tourism and cultural discovery.
- There will be sports, recreational and leisure activities.
- You will attend shows and performances to experience France’s cultural life.
Documents required
To apply for Eiffel Excellence scholarship, you have to submit the following documents to Campus France:
- Your place of residence
- Your email address and telephone number
- Certification of academic enrollment
- Accreditation of academic enrollment in the National Health Insurance scheme
How to apply for this scholarship?
- Contact the Campus France office in your country of origin or the French embassy’s cooperation and culture office.
- Visit their official website to select your desired course and country and explore a database containing various programs and universities.
- All higher education institutions in France are eligible to submit applications.
- The institution accepts and assists with your France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship application.
- The institution submits your application online through the specialised Campus France website.
Conclusion
In summary, the France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship presents an exceptional opportunity for international students pursuing Master’s or PhD degrees in France without financial stress. This prestigious scholarship, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, covers living expenses, travel, health insurance, and more.
Whether you’re studying science, technology, humanities, or social sciences, this fully-funded program supports a range of fields and durations.
By following the application process and fulfilling the criteria, you can move closer to realising your academic ambitions in one of the world’s most culturally vibrant nations.
