Scholarships to Study in France in 2026

France welcomes over 443,500 international students every year and a significant number of them are not paying full price. The French government, top universities, and international organisations award thousands of scholarships every academic year to talented students around the world. 
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The problem? Most students only hear about one or two of them. This guide covers real, currently active scholarships for 2026–2027  with verified amounts, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and honest tips on winning them.
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1. THE EIFFEL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP 
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France's Most Prestigious Government Scholarship 

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is managed by Campus France on behalf of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It is one of the most competitive scholarships in France and one of the most generous. Important: You cannot apply directly. Your French university must nominate you  contact their international office early. 

What it covers: 

• Monthly stipend €1,181 for Master's students | €1,700 for PhD students 

• Return airfare Round-trip to and from France fully covered 

• Health insurance Full coverage during your studies 

• Cultural activities Additional cultural support grant 

Who can apply: 

• Nationalities : All countries except France 

• Age : Under 30 for Master's | Under 35 for PhD 

• Level : Master's (1–2 years) or PhD (up to 3 years) 

• Priority fields Engineering, Sciences, Economics, Law, Medicine 

• Deadline: January each year (for the following academic year) 
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■ Tip 

Acceptance rates are under 5%. A strong academic record, a specific research project, and genuine letters of recommendation from professors who know your work well, not just your name make the biggest difference.

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‍2. ERASMUS MUNDUS JOINT MASTER'S 

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Europe's Flagship Scholarship, France is the 2nd Largest Host Country
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Erasmus Mundus joint Master's degrees are run by a consortium of universities across at least two countries. France hosts more Erasmus Mundus programmes than almost any other country in Europe. The scholarship is one of the most generous available anywhere in the world and it is open to students from every country. 

What it covers: 

• Monthly stipend €1,000–€1,400 depending on your country of origin 

• Tuition fees Fully covered across all partner universities 

• Travel & installation Costs covered for each country of study 

• Visa support Visa related costs included 

Who can apply: 

• Nationalities : All countries worldwide, including EU 

• Key condition : Must not have lived/studied in programme countries for 12+ months in last 5 years (non-EU) 

• How to find programmes : eacea.ec.europa.eu filter by France as partner country Deadline: October–February (varies by programme. Always check the individual programme page) 

■ Tip 

Apply to 3–5 different Erasmus Mundus programmes simultaneously. Each is a separate application treat each one as seriously as the others. Some programmes receive thousands of applications for fewer than 20 places.

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3. CHATEAUBRIAND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 

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French Embassy Funding for PhD Researchers 

The Chateaubriand Fellowship supports PhD students and researchers who want to conduct part of their doctoral research in France. It is funded by the French Embassy and runs two separate tracks one for STEM, one for Humanities & Social Sciences. 

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What it covers: 

• Monthly stipend Paid for the duration of the fellowship (4–9 months) 

• Airfare Round-trip flight covered 

• Insurance & visa Health insurance and visa support included 

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Who can apply: 

• PhD students enrolled at a university in a bilateral partner country (check your French embassy)

• Requirement Must have a confirmed French laboratory or research host before applying

• Fields STEM track AND Humanities & Social Sciences track, both available 

• Deadline: January–February each year (check frenchculture.org or your local French embassy website)

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■ Tip 

Even if you are not based in the US, your country likely has a bilateral equivalent through the French embassy. Always check the French embassy website in your home country , many of these bilateral programmes are not widely advertised.

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4. CAMPUS FRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS PLATFORM (CAMPUS BOURSES) 
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The One-Stop Hub Most Students Don't Know About 
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Campus France runs an official scholarships platform called Campus Bourses at campusbourses.campusfrance.org. It aggregates scholarships from the French government, universities, regional authorities, private foundations, and bilateral organisations all in one place. 
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What makes it different: You filter by nationality, field, and study level and get a personalised list of every scholarship you personally qualify for. Regional scholarships from cities like Lyon, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg are listed here and rarely appear anywhere else. 
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How to use it: 

1. Go to campusbourses.campusfrance.org and create a free account. 

2. Set your profile nationality, field of study, and study level. 

3. Browse your personalised list of available scholarships filtered to your profile.

4. Revisit every 2–3 months new scholarships and rolling deadlines are added throughout the year. 

5. HOW TO BUILD A WINNING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 
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Most applications are rejected not because the student is unqualified but because the application is generic. Here is what selection committees actually look for: 

• A clear academic project Why this field? Why France? Why this university? Be specific. Vague answers are eliminated first. 

• Evidence of achievement Grades matter, but so do research experience, publications, competitions won, and leadership roles held. 

• Strong recommendation letters From professors who genuinely know your research and thinking, not just your name and grade. 

• A compelling personal statement Your story, your goals, and why you specifically are the right person for this award. 

• Realistic budget thinking Some committees ask how you plan to cover living costs. Show you have thought it through.

• Early submission The best applications are never rushed. Start building yours 3–4 months before the deadline. 

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■ Reality Check 

Competition is fierce. Eiffel acceptance rates are under 5%. Erasmus Mundus varies but is similarly competitive. Apply to multiple scholarships at the same time, and always have a self-funding backup plan. A partial scholarship combined with a part-time job and CAF housing aid can still make France genuinely affordable.

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FINAL THOUGHTS 

France is one of the most generous countries in the world when it comes to funding international students but the money does not find you. You have to go looking for it, apply early, and apply strategically. 
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Start with Campus Bourses to find every scholarship you are eligible for. Target the Eiffel and Erasmus Mundus programs for maximum funding. And explore your specific university's own awards many excellent scholarships live on individual faculty pages, not on popular scholarship websites. 

The right scholarship could cover everything. And even a partial award can be the difference between making France possible and staying home. 

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