“I am really grateful and honoured to receive the prestigious Eiffel Excellence Scholarship for my Master’s degree in Data and Business Analytics at Rennes School of Business. This scholarship will help me to manage my expenses in France. It will be of great help to me in these uncertain and challenging times. This scholarship will help shape my future and help me in achieving my goals in the domain of analytics. ”
- Gaurav Kudale, from Mumbai, India
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is awarded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs to international students who want to study in France for a Master’s or PhD program. It is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to Indian students in France, covering a monthly stipend plus travel allowance, health insurance, and cultural activities support.
The French government has committed to welcoming 30,000 Indian students by 2030 and has actively worked to reduce visa processing times and simplify Campus France documentation. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is one of the most prestigious available, covering full tuition plus a monthly stipend of approximately Rs 1.5 lakh.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2026 – Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Master Level | PhD Level |
| Awarded by | French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs | French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs |
| Monthly stipend | EUR 1,181/month (approx. Rs 1.5 lakh/month at current rates) | EUR 1,400/month (approx. Rs 1.78 lakh/month) |
| Additional benefits | Travel allowance, health insurance, cultural activities support | Travel allowance, health insurance, cultural activities support |
| Age limit | 25 years or less at time of application (verify current cycle at campusfrance.org) | 35 years or less at time of application |
| Program duration funding | 12 to 36 months (to complete the Master degree) | 6 to 36 months (mobility support) |
| Number of scholarships (historical) | Approximately 380 per year at Master level | Approximately 70 per year at PhD level |
| Application route | Through French Higher Education institutions only (not direct) | Through French Higher Education institutions only |
| Application window | Opens approximately 3rd week of October; deadline approximately January 10 each year | Same window |
| Results publication | Approximately 3rd week of April | Approximately 3rd week of April |
| Nationality | All international students (French nationals including dual citizens not eligible) | Same |
| Source | GradRight original article (gradright.com/eiffel-excellence-scholarship-2022-eligibility-application-selection-faqs/) | Same |
Always verify current stipend amounts, age limits, and deadlines at the official Eiffel Scholarship website: campusfrance.org/en/eiffel-excellence-scholarship-programme as these change with each annual cycle.
Eligible Programs and Fields of Study
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship supports Master’s and PhD programs in France. Not all fields are equally supported – the scholarship has priority focus areas:
| Level | Eligible Programs | Priority Fields |
| Master | Master degree programs (12-36 months) at accredited French Higher Education institutions | Engineering Sciences; Law, Political Science, and Management; Economics; Mathematics; Computer Science; Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences |
| PhD | Doctoral research programs (mobility support 6-36 months); students must be enrolled in a French institution | Engineering Sciences; Law; Economics; Political Science – same 4 expert panel categories as selection committee |
| MBBS/Medical | Generally not covered; Eiffel focuses on engineering, management, law, political science, economics | Not a priority field for Eiffel |
| Arts and Humanities | Not typically supported; verify specific program eligibility at campusfrance.org | Not a priority field for Eiffel |
Eligibility Criteria for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
| Criterion | Requirement | Important Notes |
| Citizenship | International student. Must submit passport as proof. | French nationals are NOT eligible, even if they hold dual citizenship with France as one of the countries. |
| Age – Master | 25 years or less at time of application | Age limits may vary by cycle; verify at campusfrance.org for the current year |
| Age – PhD | 35 years or less at time of application | Same caveat – verify current limits |
| Current education level | Applying for Master or PhD program in France | Must be applying to a recognised French Higher Education institution |
| French government scholarship restriction | Candidates who have applied for another scholarship offered by the French government will NOT be considered | You cannot apply simultaneously for the Eiffel and another French government scholarship (Charpak, for example) |
| Application attempts – Master | No candidate can apply for the scholarship a second time at Master level; does not matter if institution or course are different | This is one of the most important rules. If you apply once and are rejected, you cannot apply again at Master level. |
| Application attempts – PhD | If a student has received an Eiffel Scholarship at Master level, they are free to re-apply at PhD level | Master recipients can apply for PhD level Eiffel; prior Master-level rejection prevents re-application at Master level only |
| French language | Candidates must know the basics of the French language | Not a fluency requirement but some French knowledge is expected |
| Application route | Applications must be made through French Higher Education institutions – not submitted directly by the student | Students must contact the International Relations department of the target French university to apply through the institution |
Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy for Indian Students
What the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Covers
| Benefit | Master Level | PhD Level |
| Monthly stipend | EUR 1,181/month | EUR 1,400/month |
| Travel allowance | Included (international travel support) | Included |
| Health insurance | Included | Included |
| Cultural activities support | Included | Included |
| Tuition fees | Generally covered/supported through the scholarship; verify per institution | Generally covered; verify per institution |
| Total monthly value (approx.) | EUR 1,181+ (approximately Rs 1.5 lakh/month at current rates) | EUR 1,400+ (approximately Rs 1.78 lakh/month at current rates) |
Note: Some other GradRight sources cite EUR 1,800/month for the Eiffel MBA component (MBA France article, June 2026) and EUR 1,700/month for PhD (PhD after B.Tech article). Stipend amounts may change with each annual cycle. Verify the exact current stipend at campusfrance.org/en/eiffel-excellence-scholarship-programme before applying.
How to Apply for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2026
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship has a distinctive application process: you cannot apply directly. The application must be submitted by the French Higher Education institution on your behalf. This means you must first secure a relationship with a French university before you can be considered for the scholarship.
| Step | Action |
| 1. Identify your target French institution | Research French universities and programs that are eligible for the Eiffel Scholarship. Check campusfrance.org for the list of participating institutions. |
| 2. Contact the International Relations department | Reach out to the International Relations office of your target French university by email, website, or phone. Ask specifically about the Eiffel Scholarship and their internal deadline for submitting applications. |
| 3. Apply to the university program | Most French institutions require you to apply to (and ideally receive an offer for) the master or PhD program before they can submit your Eiffel Scholarship application. The university applies on behalf of students they want to nominate. |
| 4. Prepare your dossier | Prepare the supporting documents that the institution will need for your scholarship application: academic transcripts, CV, motivation letter/research proposal, language certificates (French basics), letters of recommendation, and passport copy. |
| 5. University submits application | The application for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is sent by the university on behalf of the student. You cannot submit it yourself. Source: GradRight original article. |
| 6. For Campus France route | Opening call for applications begins in the 3rd week of October. The deadline for reception of applications is approximately January 10. Publication of results is approximately the 3rd week of April. |
| 7. After selection | If selected, confirm enrollment, complete visa application, and arrange accommodation. Scholarship disbursement begins upon arrival in France. |
The Eiffel Scholarship Selection Process
The committee that carries out the selection process consists of 4 panels of experts from the departments of:
- Engineering Sciences
- Law, Political Science
- Management
- Economics
Key selection rules:
- No panel member can evaluate applications from institutes they are affiliated with or associated with
- Departments and institutes that candidates belong to may be considered on the basis of their contribution towards promoting the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
- Students with outstanding academic performance will be preferred. More than 70% of scholarships are given to these students.
- The remaining 30% of scholarships are usually awarded to those who have not received any scholarships before
- Getting this scholarship won’t be a piece of cake. In past years, approximately 380 scholarships were awarded at Master level and only 70 at PhD level. Out of more than 250,000 foreign students who enter French institutes, only a small number receive the Eiffel Scholarship. Source: GradRight original article.
Students needn’t be disheartened if they don’t get through. They can always consider other scholarships – Charpak (French Embassy in India), Erasmus Mundus, Paris Saclay IDEX, and university-specific scholarships from INSEAD, HEC, and Rennes School of Business.
Other Scholarships for Indian Students in France (If Eiffel Is Not Available)
| Scholarship | Offered By | Monthly Stipend / Value | Notes |
| Charpak Scholarship (France Excellence) | French Embassy in India | Monthly stipend + visa fee waiver + health insurance | Specifically for Indian students; tuition fees covered; check the French Embassy India website |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master | European Commission | EUR 1,400/month + tuition coverage for joint programs | For students enrolled in Erasmus Mundus joint programs spanning multiple European universities |
| Universite Paris Saclay IDEX | Paris Saclay University | EUR 10,000/year + up to EUR 1,000 travel/visa | Master students; prioritises students from emerging countries including India |
| INSEAD scholarship (MBA) | INSEAD University | EUR 4,000-20,000 (need and non-need based) | For MBA students at INSEAD; partial tuition coverage |
| University-specific awards | Individual French universities (Rennes, EDHEC, HEC, Emlyon) | Varies; partial tuition waivers to significant awards | Apply directly after/during university admission; often based on academic excellence and diversity |
Looking for scholarships to study in France? GradRight SelectRight helps you find French programs that come with scholarship opportunities. Free, personalised. Find France Programs with Scholarships on GradRight
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