France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2026 for Master's and PhD in Priority Fields Campus France (French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) in France

The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious government-funded program designed to attract outstanding international students to pursue Master's and PhD degrees in France. Managed by Campus France and backed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the scholarship targets future leaders in both public and private sectors, focusing on specific priority fields: Science and Technology, Biology and Health, Ecological Transition, Mathematics and Digital, Engineering Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, History, French language and civilization, Law and Political Science, and Economics and Management.

Applicants must be international students (non-French nationals) with a strong academic record and a clear alignment with one of the priority fields. For Master's applicants, the age limit is 29 years; for PhD applicants, it is 35 years. The application process is unique: students cannot apply directly. Instead, a French higher education institution must nominate the candidate and submit the application to Campus France. This means that interested students should first identify suitable French universities and programs, then contact the international office or program coordinator with a concise, professional request for nomination, including a CV, transcripts, and a brief motivation statement. Some universities may require an internal application or prior admission before considering nomination.

The Eiffel Scholarship provides a monthly stipend of EUR 1,200 for Master's students and EUR 2,100 for PhD students, starting January 2026. Additional benefits include international and national transportation support, insurance, housing search assistance, and cultural activities. However, tuition fees are not covered by the scholarship; students may need to seek tuition reductions, external funding, or self-fund their tuition. The scholarship duration varies: up to 12 months for M2, 24 months for M1, 36 months for some engineering degrees, and 12-36 months for PhD programs.

The official application window opens on 1 October 2025, with the Campus France deadline set for 8 January 2026. However, universities often have earlier internal deadlines (typically in November or December) to allow time for candidate review and nomination preparation. Results are announced from 30 March 2026. Applicants are advised to prepare all necessary documents early, including an updated CV, passport copy, degree certificates, transcripts, recommendation letters, statement of purpose, research proposal (for PhD), proof of language proficiency, and any relevant awards or publications.

To maximize chances of success, candidates should target programs that closely match their background and the scholarship's priority fields, demonstrate leadership potential, and approach universities with a clear, tailored request for nomination. The Eiffel Scholarship is highly competitive and requires strategic planning and proactive engagement with French institutions.