Eiffel scholarships 2027: how French universities nominate master’s and PhD candidates

• What the Eiffel programme is
• The key rule: you need a French institution behind you
• Who can be nominated
• What the scholarship covers
• How to prepare
• Key points

⇑What the Eiffel programme is

The France Excellence Eiffel scholarship was set up by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to help French higher education institutions attract strong international students to their master’s and doctoral programmes. Campus France, the national agency for international student mobility, runs the selection and manages the scholarships. The programme is aimed at future decision-makers from outside France, studying in fields the ministry considers a priority.

The 2027 call for applications opened in October 2026. Campus France must receive complete applications by 6 January 2027, and results are due to be published from 12 April 2027. Successful candidates start their funded studies in the 2027/28 academic year.

⇑The key rule: you need a French institution behind you

Eiffel is not a scholarship you can apply for directly. Only French higher education institutions may submit applications, and files sent by students themselves or by foreign universities are declared ineligible. In practice, the university that admits you to its programme decides whether to put your name forward.

This is why the real deadline for students is usually much earlier than January. Universities run their own internal selection before sending files to Campus France. ENS de Lyon, for example, asked candidates for the 2027/28 round to submit their applications by 20 November 2026. Other institutions set different dates, so it is worth checking the international office page of each university you are interested in.

⇑Who can be nominated

The 2027 call encourages applications from foreign students:

• up to 29 years old at master’s level;
• up to 35 years old at doctoral level.

Candidates must be enrolling in a master’s degree accredited by the French state, a nationally accredited engineering programme, or a doctorate run as a dual degree or under joint supervision with a partner institution abroad.

The programme covers seven subject areas: biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital technology, engineering sciences, French history, language and civilisation, law and political science, and economics and management.

⇑What the scholarship covers

According to Campus France, master’s scholars receive a monthly allowance of €1,200 (the rate in force from January 2026). Doctoral candidates receive a higher monthly stipend set in the programme regulations. On top of the allowance, Eiffel scholars benefit from services such as international and domestic travel, insurance, help with finding accommodation and cultural activities.

The length of funding depends on the level of study:

• up to 12 months for students entering the second year of a master’s (M2);
• up to 24 months for students entering the first year of a master’s (M1);
• up to 36 months for an engineering degree;
• 12, 18 or 36 months for doctoral candidates, depending on the year of enrolment and the type of programme.

Tuition fees are not paid by the Eiffel programme. The regulations also state that an Eiffel scholarship cannot be combined with another French government scholarship or an Erasmus+ grant, so students already planning an exchange should compare the options described in our Erasmus+ guide.

⇑How to prepare

Campus France advises students to start by contacting the Campus France office in their home country or the cultural and cooperation department of the French embassy. From there, the usual route looks like this:

• choose a master’s or doctoral programme in one of the eligible fields;
• apply for admission and ask the university whether it takes part in the Eiffel selection;
• meet the university’s internal deadline, which may fall in November or December 2026;
• keep your academic records, references and project description ready in English or French.

If you are still comparing countries, programmes and living costs, our study guide brings together information on admission and funding across Europe.

⇑Key points

The Eiffel programme offers French government funding for international master’s and doctoral students, but every application goes through a French university. Campus France closes the 2027 call on 6 January 2027 and plans to publish results from 12 April 2027. Students should contact their chosen institution now, as internal deadlines often come several weeks before the national one.