France is one of the world’s greatest academic destinations — home to Sciences Po Paris (the world’s leading political science institution), École Polytechnique (one of Europe’s most prestigious engineering schools), Université Paris-Saclay (ranked among the world’s top 15 for natural sciences), ENS de Lyon, HEC Paris, and dozens of other institutions that define European intellectual life.
In 2027-2028, France offers ten major scholarship programs for international students — from the government’s flagship Eiffel Excellence Scholarship to Sciences Po’s prestigious Émile Boutmy and Chalhoub awards, from Erasmus Mundus joint degrees to the Fulbright France grant for American researchers.
This guide covers every scholarship, all coverage details, eligibility requirements, and official application links.
Table of Contents
Why Study in France in 2027?
Affordable public university tuition. French public universities charge among Europe’s lowest international tuition fees — approximately €2,770–€3,770/year at national public universities. Even without a scholarship, France offers exceptional academic value.
World-class intellectual tradition. France has produced more Fields Medal winners, Nobel laureates, and Palme d’Or recipients than virtually any country of comparable size. Its intellectual culture — across philosophy, literature, mathematics, and sciences — is unmatched.
English-taught graduate programs. While France is a French-speaking country, most elite graduate programs now offer substantial English instruction — particularly at Sciences Po, Paris-Saclay, École Polytechnique, and the grandes écoles.
Post-study work rights. France offers a 1-year APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) visa after graduation — allowing international graduates to seek employment or establish a business in France.
CAF housing benefit. France’s Caisse d’Allocations Familiales provides €100–€300/month housing assistance to students — reducing effective living costs significantly.
The Top 10 France Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Monthly stipend €1,200 (Master’s) / €2,100 (PhD) + Round-trip flight + Local transport + Cultural activities + Housing priority Eligibility: Flagship French Ministry of Foreign Affairs award — nominated by French universities
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship — administered by Campus France on behalf of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) — is France’s premier government scholarship for international students and one of Europe’s most prestigious academic awards.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend:
- Master’s: €1,200/month (~$1,290 USD)
- PhD: €2,100/month (~$2,260 USD)
- Round-trip international airfare to France
- Local transport pass for public transportation in France
- Cultural activities allowance — for cultural enrichment events
- Housing priority — priority placement in university residences
Critical application note: You cannot apply directly as an individual. Your target French university must nominate you. Contact the international office of your target French institution — Sciences Po, Paris-Saclay, École Polytechnique, HEC Paris, or others — in September–October to initiate nomination for the January deadline.
Deadline: Institutions submit nominations typically in December–January for September intake
👉 Official Website: campusfrance.org/en/eiffel-scholarship
🏆 2. Émile Boutmy Scholarship (Sciences Po)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s Coverage: Tuition waivers €3,900 to €14,210/year (Undergraduate) + Up to €13,100/year (Master’s) Eligibility: Merit-based — non-EU applicants admitted to Sciences Po
The Émile Boutmy Scholarship — named after Sciences Po’s founding visionary — is Sciences Po Paris’s flagship merit scholarship for non-EU international students, providing substantial tuition reductions at one of the world’s most prestigious and politically influential institutions.
What it covers:
- Undergraduate tuition waivers: €3,900 to €14,210/year depending on income level and merit assessment
- Master’s programs: Up to €13,100/year in tuition support
- Sciences Po’s income-scaled tuition system means higher financial need + stronger academic merit = larger award
Why Sciences Po matters: Sciences Po alumni include seven French Presidents, hundreds of government ministers, EU and UN officials, and some of the most influential journalists and intellectuals of the past century. A Sciences Po scholarship is among the most professionally transformative academic investments available in Europe.
Deadline: Embedded in Sciences Po’s admission application — typically December–March for September intake
👉 Official Website: sciencespo.fr/en/admissions/financial-aid
🏆 3. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €10,000/year living grant + Up to €1,000 for travel and visa expenses Eligibility: Merit-based — high-achieving international candidates admitted to Master’s programs
Université Paris-Saclay — ranked among the world’s top 15 for natural sciences and home to 48 research centers including CNRS, CEA, and INRIA — offers international scholarships for outstanding students admitted to its Master’s programs.
What it covers:
- Annual living grant of €10,000 (~$10,760 USD) — a meaningful contribution toward living costs in the Paris region
- Up to €1,000 toward travel and visa expenses for relocation to France
Paris-Saclay’s research ecosystem: The Paris-Saclay campus hosts the highest concentration of research institutions and scientists in France — including Nobel laureates, Fields Medal winners, and researchers from some of the world’s most prestigious scientific networks.
Deadline: Typically January–February for September intake
👉 Official Website: universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/scholarships
4. Ampère Excellence Scholarships (ENS de Lyon)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Monthly stipend €1,000/month for 1–2 years Eligibility: Outstanding international students at ENS de Lyon
ENS de Lyon (École Normale Supérieure de Lyon) — one of France’s most selective and prestigious grandes écoles, particularly renowned for mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and humanities — offers the Ampère Excellence Scholarship for outstanding international Master’s students.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend of €1,000/month for 1–2 years of Master’s study
- Access to ENS de Lyon’s extraordinary research environments and intellectual community
ENS de Lyon’s distinction: The ENS system (Paris and Lyon) produces a disproportionate share of France’s academic elite — alumni include multiple Fields Medal winners, Nobel laureates, and some of France’s most influential intellectuals. Selection is intensely merit-based.
Deadline: Typically February–March for September intake — check ENS de Lyon’s scholarship portal
👉 Official Website: ens-lyon.fr/en/scholarships
🏆 5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: 100% tuition coverage + €1,400/month living stipend + Airfare + Relocation + Insurance Eligibility: EU-funded consortium degrees with mandatory mobility component in France
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — funded by the European Commission — is the most financially generous Master’s scholarship available at French universities, with Sciences Po, Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne, Grenoble, Montpellier, and many other French institutions participating as consortium partners.
What it covers:
- 100% tuition fees across all consortium universities
- €1,400/month for non-EU students throughout the program (up to 24 months)
- Airfare and relocation grant (€1,000–€3,000)
- Insurance allowance included
French universities in EMJMD programs:
- Sciences Po — governance and social science programs
- Université Paris-Saclay — sciences and engineering programs
- Sorbonne University — humanities and sciences
- Université Grenoble Alpes — environmental and engineering programs
- Université Montpellier — agricultural and sustainability sciences
Deadline: Program-specific — typically October–February
👉 EMJMD Catalogue: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
6. SMARTS-UP Master’s Scholarships (Université Paris Cité)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €8,000 total grant awarded across the academic year Eligibility: Designed to attract international talent to graduate schools at Université Paris Cité
The SMARTS-UP Scholarship at Université Paris Cité (formerly Université Paris Diderot and Université Paris Descartes — France’s largest university by enrollment) provides financial support to attract outstanding international students to its graduate programs.
What it covers:
- €8,000 total grant distributed across the academic year (~€666/month equivalent)
- Supporting international Master’s students in a broad range of disciplines
Université Paris Cité’s strengths: Medicine, pharmacy, life sciences, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, and computer science. Paris Cité’s multiple campuses across Paris provide excellent access to the French capital’s extraordinary cultural, intellectual, and professional life.
Deadline: Check Université Paris Cité’s international scholarship portal — typically February–April
👉 Official Website: u-paris.fr/en/scholarships
7. IDEX Master Scholarships (Université Grenoble Alpes)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €8,000 for Master 1 year + €5,000 for Master 2 year Eligibility: High-caliber international candidates in master’s or engineering programs
The IDEX (Initiative d’Excellence) Master Scholarship at Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) provides tiered financial support for outstanding international students pursuing Master’s programs in France’s Alps region — one of Europe’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
What it covers:
- €8,000 for the first year of Master’s study (M1) (~$8,600 USD)
- €5,000 for the second year (M2) (~$5,380 USD)
- Total 2-year value: €13,000 toward living costs and study expenses
Grenoble’s distinctive ecosystem: Grenoble is France’s most research-intensive city relative to its size — home to CERN’s French connection, major semiconductor fabrication facilities, and renowned research institutes in physics, energy, and environmental sciences. MINATEC — Europe’s leading innovation campus for micro and nanotechnologies — is located in Grenoble.
Deadline: Typically January–March for September intake
👉 Official Website: univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/en/scholarships
8. France Excellence Europa Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €6,850 semester allowance (€1,140/month) + Tuition exemption from public university fees + Visa fee waiver Eligibility: EU country nationals pursuing Master’s degrees in France
The France Excellence Europa Scholarship is specifically targeted at students from EU member countries who want to pursue Master’s programs at French public universities — providing both financial support and administrative simplification for EU citizens choosing France.
What it covers:
- Semester allowance of €6,850 (equivalent to €1,140/month)
- Exemption from public university tuition fees — France’s regulated international tuition eliminated
- Visa fee waiver — administrative cost reduction
Target audience: EU country nationals who want to experience French higher education — particularly valuable for students from Eastern European EU members (Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic) who may not have considered France due to perceived cost barriers.
Deadline: Check Campus France website for current cycle
👉 Official Website: campusfrance.org/en/excellence-europa-scholarship
9. Fulbright France Grants
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, Research Coverage: Monthly stipend €1,200–€2,000/month + Tuition fee subsidy + Travel grant + Health insurance Eligibility: Binationally funded — US students and researchers going to France; French students going to USA
The Fulbright France Grant — administered by the Franco-American Commission (Fulbright Commission France) — is a bilateral scholarship supporting both American students going to France and French students going to the United States, funded jointly by the US and French governments.
What it covers (for US students/researchers in France):
- Monthly stipend of €1,200–€2,000 depending on program and stage
- Tuition fee subsidy toward French university costs
- Travel grant — international airfare contribution
- Health insurance for the grant period
Who can apply: US citizens applying for Master’s study, PhD research, or postdoctoral research in France (apply through the Institute of International Education/IIE); French citizens applying for equivalent programs in the USA.
Deadline: US applicants typically apply in October for the following academic year
👉 Official Website: fulbright-france.org/en/grants
🏆 10. Chalhoub Scholarship (Sciences Po)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s Coverage: Up to €12,300/year toward tuition and living costs Eligibility: Students from Middle Eastern countries — Sciences Po Paris
The Chalhoub Scholarship at Sciences Po Paris — funded by the Chalhoub Group, one of the Middle East’s leading luxury and retail conglomerates — provides dedicated scholarship support for outstanding students from Middle Eastern countries studying at Sciences Po, one of the world’s most internationally renowned political and social science institutions.
What it covers:
- Up to €12,300/year toward combined tuition and living costs
- Applied toward Sciences Po’s income-scaled tuition and supplementing living expenses in Paris
Who can apply: Students from Middle Eastern countries (check current eligible country list — typically includes Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and others) applying to Sciences Po’s bachelor’s or master’s programs.
The Chalhoub Group connection: The Chalhoub Group’s scholarship reflects its investment in developing future regional leaders — Sciences Po alumni from the Middle East gain access to one of the most powerful professional networks in global governance and international affairs.
Deadline: Embedded in Sciences Po admissions — typically December–March
👉 Official Website: sciencespo.fr/en/admissions/financial-aid
Quick Reference — All 10 France Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Monthly/Annual | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France Excellence Eiffel | Masters/PhD | €1,200–€2,100/mo | Dec–Jan (via institution) |
| 2 | Émile Boutmy (Sciences Po) | Bachelors/Masters | Up to €14,210/yr | Dec–Mar |
| 3 | Paris-Saclay International | Master’s | €10,000/yr + travel | Jan–Feb |
| 4 | Ampère ENS de Lyon | Master’s | €1,000/mo (1–2 yrs) | Feb–Mar |
| 5 | Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Master’s | €1,400/mo + full tuition | Oct–Feb |
| 6 | SMARTS-UP Paris Cité | Master’s | €8,000 total | Feb–Apr |
| 7 | IDEX Grenoble Alpes | Master’s | €8,000 (M1) + €5,000 (M2) | Jan–Mar |
| 8 | France Excellence Europa | Master’s | €1,140/mo + tuition | Check portal |
| 9 | Fulbright France | Masters/PhD/Research | €1,200–€2,000/mo | October |
| 10 | Chalhoub (Sciences Po) | Bachelors/Masters | Up to €12,300/yr | Dec–Mar |
Health Insurance in France — What International Students Need
Every international student in France must have health insurance. France’s system is excellent and largely affordable.
Sécurité Sociale — French National Health Insurance: Since 2019, all international students can register with France’s national health system through ameli.fr after arrival. Coverage:
- GP visits: 70% reimbursed (you pay approximately €7 per visit co-payment)
- Specialist consultations: 70% covered
- Hospitalization: 80% covered
- Prescriptions: 15–100% depending on medication
Monthly cost: Free or very low for students — registration costs are minimal.
Mutuelle (Complementary Insurance): Purchase a mutuelle to cover the remaining 20–30% co-payment:
LMDE (La Mutuelle Des Étudiants) — France’s largest student mutuelle, approximately €15–€30/month 👉 lmde.com
Heyme — Digital student mutuelle with English interface 👉 heyme.fr
Eiffel Scholarship recipients: The Eiffel scholarship includes a health insurance contribution — verify exact coverage in your award letter.
Banking in France — Setup Before and After Arrival
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option French IBAN openable from your home country. Scholarship stipends received from day one. No French address required. 👉 wise.com
N26 — Best Digital Bank Full Eurozone banking license with French IBAN. Open with passport only. English interface. 👉 n26.com/en-fr
BNP Paribas Hello Bank — Best Traditional Bank Digital Product Free student account with French IBAN and Visa debit card. 👉 hellobank.fr
La Banque Postale — Most Accessible Post office bank accessible in every French city. Most accessible for regional university students. 👉 labanquepostale.fr
CAF Housing Benefit — Don’t Miss This: Apply for CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) housing assistance at caf.fr within your first month — provides €100–€300/month toward rent. Available to most international students regardless of scholarship status.
France Student Visa — Financial Requirements
Non-EU students need a Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS) for programs over 3 months.
Financial proof: Approximately €615/month or equivalent scholarship documentation.
Scholarship winners: Eiffel, Erasmus Mundus, and Fulbright France letters serve as comprehensive financial proof. Sciences Po and Paris-Saclay scholarship letters similarly demonstrate financial sufficiency.
Application: Through the French Embassy or Consulate in your home country via the France-Visas portal at france-visas.gouv.fr.
5 Tips to Maximize Your France Scholarship Success
Eiffel requires university nomination — contact institutions in September. The Eiffel scholarship cannot be self-applied. Contact your target French institution’s international office in September–October — this is the decisive first step.
Sciences Po’s Émile Boutmy and Chalhoub are embedded in admission — apply to Sciences Po first. Both Sciences Po scholarships are considered during the admissions process itself. Your application to Sciences Po IS your scholarship application — make it exceptional.
Erasmus Mundus with French partners is France’s highest-value scholarship. The €1,400/month EMJMD allowance exceeds most individual French institution scholarships. Identify EMJMD programs with French consortium partners and apply separately — worth the additional effort.
Paris-Saclay is France’s best research value. The €10,000/year living grant combined with Paris-Saclay’s extraordinary research infrastructure (ranking top 15 globally in natural sciences) creates an exceptional research opportunity for Master’s level scientists.
CAF housing benefit is free money that most students miss. Apply for CAF within your first month in France — it is a government benefit you are entitled to, not a scholarship competition. Many international students leave €100–€300/month unclaimed simply because they were not aware of it.
Final Thoughts — France Is Waiting for Your Application
France in 2027 offers international students an academic proposition unlike any other country: Sciences Po’s unmatched political science and social science tradition, Paris-Saclay’s world top-15 natural sciences research, ENS de Lyon’s elite intellectual community, Grenoble’s semiconductor and innovation ecosystem, and Paris’s position as the world’s most visited and most culturally significant capital city.
The Eiffel’s €2,100/month PhD stipend. Émile Boutmy’s €14,210/year Sciences Po tuition support. Paris-Saclay’s €10,000 living grant. ENS de Lyon’s €1,000/month. Erasmus Mundus’s €1,400/month at French consortium universities. The Chalhoub scholarship’s €12,300/year for Middle Eastern students at Sciences Po.
Eiffel nominations: December–January. Sciences Po scholarships: December–March. Paris-Saclay: January–February. Fulbright France: October. Erasmus Mundus: October–February.
Plan your studies in France. Always verify the latest official information. Your French academic journey begins with one application.
👉 Campus France (Official): campusfrance.org/en 👉 Eiffel Scholarship: campusfrance.org/en/eiffel-scholarship 👉 Sciences Po Scholarships: sciencespo.fr/en/financial-aid 👉 Erasmus Mundus France: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus 👉 Fulbright France: fulbright-france.org
