12 to 36 months for Master's depending on the level of entry; 6 to 36 months for PhD students
Deadline
January 8, 2025 (Annual deadline usually falls in early January for the following academic year)
Level
Master's and PhD (Doctorate)
Acceptance
Low
Difficulty
Very High
Quick Summary
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France Excellence Eiffel) is a fully funded scholarship offered by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) for students pursuing studies in France. The award covers Comprehensive support including a monthly living allowance, international travel costs, domestic travel within France, health insurance, and priority access to student residence housing. and is open to master's and phd (doctorate) students studying science and technology (biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital, science and engineering); social sciences and humanities (history, french language and civilization, law and political science, economics and management). The scholarship runs for 12 to 36 months for master's depending on the level of entry; 6 to 36 months for phd students and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on open to international students only. Applicants must not hold French citizenship. Age limits are strictly enforced (27 for Master's, 30 for PhD). Students must be nominated by a French higher education institution. The application deadline is January 8, 2025 (Annual deadline usually falls in early January for the following academic year), with an acceptance rate of approximately Low. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France Excellence Eiffel)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Approximately 15%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Master's: €1,181 per month; PhD: €1,800 per month
⏳
Duration
12 to 36 months for Master's depending on the level of entry; 6 to 36 months for PhD students
📅
Deadline
January 8, 2025 (Annual deadline usually falls in early January for the following academic year)
🔬
Fields
Science and Technology (Biology and Health, Ecological Transition, Mathematics and Digital, Science and Engineering); Social Sciences and Humanities (History, French Language and Civilization, Law and Political Science, Economics and Management)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 350 to 500 awards per year across all levels
🌏
Study Country
France
🏛️
Provider
French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE)
📊
Acceptance
Low
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to enable French higher education institutions to attract top foreign students for Master's and PhD programs. It is a tool to train future foreign decision-makers in both private and public sectors in priority areas of study.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to international students only. Applicants must not hold French citizenship. Age limits are strictly enforced (27 for Master's, 30 for PhD). Students must be nominated by a French higher education institution.
🏛️ Host University
Any recognized French Higher Education Institution (Universities and Grandes Écoles)
🤝 Sponsor
Campus France and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
🔬 Fields of Study
Science and Technology (Biology and Health, Ecological Transition, Mathematics and Digital, Science and Engineering); Social Sciences and Humanities (History, French Language and Civilization, Law and Political Science, Economics and Management)
✨ Key Benefits
Comprehensive support including a monthly living allowance, international travel costs, domestic travel within France, health insurance, and priority access to student residence housing.
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving international students from developing and industrialized nations
🏷 Tags
FranceExcellenceEiffelMasterPhDInternational StudentsFully Funded Living
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Approximately 1,500 nominated candidates
Applicants Last Year
377 awardees for the 2024 cycle
Winners
Low
Acceptance Rate
Approximately 15%
Competition Level
Win Probability
50%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
No (The scholarship does not cover tuition fees, though scholarship holders in public universities are usually exempt from national registration fees)
Living Stipend
Yes (€1,181/month for Master's students and €1,800/month for PhD students)
Total Award
Master's: €1,181 per month; PhD: €1,800 per month
✈️ Travel: Yes (Includes one international round-trip ticket and national transport to the host institution)🏠 Accommodation: No (However, scholarship holders have priority for CROUS student housing and may receive a housing allowance)💊 Health Insurance: Yes (Provided via the French social security system and a supplemental health insurance scheme)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: €0 (There is no fee for the scholarship application itself)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
No (The scholarship does not cover tuition fees, though scholarship holders in public universities are usually exempt from national registration fees)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (€1,181/month for Master's students and €1,800/month for PhD students)
🏡 Accommodation
No (However, scholarship holders have priority for CROUS student housing and may receive a housing allowance)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (Includes one international round-trip ticket and national transport to the host institution)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (Provided via the French social security system and a supplemental health insurance scheme)
🎁 Other Benefits
Cultural activities, train travel within France to the university, and administrative support for visa procedures
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and regular attendance as reported by the host institution.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Non-French nationals; Master's candidates must be up to 27 years old; PhD candidates must be up to 30 years old
🎓 Academic Level
Master's and PhD (Doctorate)
📊 Minimum GPA
Varies (Academic excellence is the primary criterion, typically requiring a top-tier GPA or ranking)
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies (Depends on the requirements of the chosen program/institution in France)
🍢 Age Limit
27 years for Master's level; 30 years for PhD level
💼 Work Experience
Not mandatory for Master's; research experience required for PhD
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but considered an asset for future 'decision-maker' potential
💰 Financial Need
No (Selection is based purely on academic merit and institutional interest)
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving international students from developing and industrialized nations
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Statement of purpose and professional project description)
Rec Letters
Yes (Usually provided by previous academic mentors and integrated into the institutional nomination)
Interview
Varies (The host institution may conduct an interview before deciding to nominate the student)
Application Fee
€0 (There is no fee for the scholarship application itself)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Usually provided by previous academic mentors and integrated into the institutional nomination) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Varies (Depends on the requirements of the chosen program/institution in France)
Interview: Varies (The host institution may conduct an interview before deciding to nominate the student)
Min GPA: Varies (Academic excellence is the primary criterion, typically requiring a top-tier GPA or ranking)
📋 Application Process
You cannot apply directly to Campus France. You must contact a French university's international relations department and get them to support and submit your application.
💡 Insider Tip: Start early in October. Ensure your professional project aligns with France's diplomatic priorities. Contact the 'Responsable de formation' of your chosen French course immediately.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
October 1, 2024
⏰ Deadline
January 8, 2025 (Annual deadline usually falls in early January for the following academic year)
🎤 Interview
Varies (The host institution may conduct an interview before deciding to nominate the student)
🎓 Study Starts
September 2025
October 1, 2024
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
January 8, 2025 (Annual deadline usually falls in early January for the following academic year)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Varies (The host institution may conduct an interview before deciding to nominate the student)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September 2025
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Excellence of the candidate's academic record, the international policy and reputation of the host institution, and the scientific relevance of the project.
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Open to international students only. Applicants must not hold French citizenship. Age limits are strictly enforced (27 for Master's, 30 for PhD). Students must be nominated by a French higher education institution.
This scholarship covers: Comprehensive support including a monthly living allowance, international travel costs, domestic travel within France, health insurance, and priority access to student residence housing.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is January 8, 2025 (Annual deadline usually falls in early January for the following academic year). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Approximately 15%. Acceptance rate: Low. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Varies (Depends on the requirements of the chosen program/institution in France), Yes (Usually provided by previous academic mentors and integrated into the institutional nomination) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.