The France Excellence Eiffel scholarship programme is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and managed by Campus France. Its aim is to attract top international students to Master’s and PhD programmes in France.
The key fact many students miss: you cannot apply for an Eiffel scholarship yourself. Campus France states that it only accepts applications submitted by French higher education institutions.
How does it work?
- You apply for admission to a Master’s or PhD programme at a French institution.
- The institution selects the candidates it wants to nominate.
- The institution sends the nomination file to Campus France before the national deadline.
- The Campus France committee makes the final decision.
So the question to ask the university is: “Do you nominate students for the Eiffel scholarship in this programme, and what is your internal deadline?”
A real example: Université de Toulouse, 2027 session
Toulouse explains its internal process:
| Step | Master’s | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-application | Online by 15 November 2026; no need to contact the programme coordinator first | After securing support from a Toulouse supervisor, by 29 November 2026 |
| Internal review | Programme coordinators review pre-applications from 16 to 29 November 2026 | The university validates the pre-application and helps you prepare the file |
| Files sent to Campus France | By 6 January 2027 | By 6 January 2027 |
| Results | Expected the week of 12 April 2027 | Same |
The university warns that its selection does not guarantee the scholarship: the final decision belongs to the Campus France committee of seven expert panels.
Every institution sets its own internal dates, usually well before the national deadline, so start contacting them in September or October.
The national calendar (for comparison)
For the 2026 session:
- the call opened on 1 October 2025;
- files had to reach Campus France by 8 January 2026;
- results were published from 30 March 2026.
The national calendar for the 2027 session had not been published on Campus France when this guide was written, but the Toulouse example shows universities are already taking pre-applications.
Eligibility
Nationality: foreign nationals; dual nationals holding French nationality are excluded.
Age (2027 session, per Toulouse):
- Master’s: 29 at most — born after 31 March 1997.
- PhD: 35 at most — born after 31 March 1991.
Current status: at Master’s level you must not currently be studying in France and must not have held a Master’s Eiffel scholarship before.
Eligible fields:
- 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.
Eligible Master’s programmes: state-accredited Master’s degrees, engineering degrees and CGE-accredited MSc programmes. Not eligible: distance learning, apprenticeships and programmes delivered abroad.
Duration
Master’s:
- up to 12 months when entering the second year (M2);
- up to 24 months when entering the first year (M1);
- up to 36 months for an engineering degree.
PhD (programme rules):
- 36 months for new candidates entering the first year, not combinable with joint supervision;
- 18 or 12 months within a joint supervision (cotutelle) or dual degree with a foreign university, depending on the year of enrolment.
What does it cover?
| Master’s | PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly allowance (2027 session, per Toulouse) | €1,200 | €2,000 |
| Travel | Return international ticket and some transport within France | Same |
| Health | Temporary cover on arrival, then supplementary insurance once registered with French social security | Health coverage |
| Housing | Help finding accommodation, possibly a Crous residence | Help finding accommodation |
| Activities | Cultural and sports activities at preferential rates | Some cultural activities |
The scholarship does not cover tuition fees, though holders may be exempt from registration fees at public institutions.
For comparison: the 2025 regulations listed €1,181 for Master’s and €1,800 for PhD, so the amounts have increased.
Practical tips
- Find the programme first: choose an eligible programme in one of the listed fields, then ask the international office about Eiffel.
- Contact universities early: in September or October, well before internal deadlines.
- For a PhD, the supervisor is key: without support from a supervisor at the French institution, you cannot pre-apply.
- Your academic record matters most: the scholarship rewards excellence, so focus on your grades and a clear study project.
- Budget for fees: tuition is not covered, so check the programme’s cost and whether a registration-fee exemption applies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send my file to Campus France directly? No. Only French institutions can submit applications.
Do I need an admission before being nominated? It depends on the university. In Toulouse, Master’s coordinators select from pre-applications who may complete an Eiffel file; for a PhD, a supervisor’s support is required first.
Does it cover housing? There is no separate housing payment. You get help finding accommodation, and the monthly allowance is used for living costs and housing.