Eiffel Excellence Scholarship France 2027: Nomination Deadlines & Ultimate Guide

What is the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program is a prestigious, fully-funded scholarship established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It is designed to attract top foreign students to enroll in Master’s and PhD programs at French higher education institutions. The scholarship provides a generous monthly allowance (approx. €1,181 for Master's and €1,700 for PhD), international return airfare, health insurance, and cultural activities.

How to Apply for the Eiffel Scholarship 2027 (The "Hidden" Deadline)

One of the biggest mistakes international students make is assuming they can apply directly for the Eiffel Scholarship. You cannot apply directly to Campus France. You must follow this process:

1. Find a Participating French University: Identify a French institution that offers a program in one of the seven eligible fields of study (including Engineering, Exact Sciences, Economics, Law, and Political Science).
2. Contact the International Office (Sep/Oct 2026): Reach out to the university and explicitly state your intention to be nominated for the Eiffel Scholarship for the 2027 intake.
3. Meet the Internal Deadline (Nov/Dec 2026): Because the university must review your profile and submit the nomination to Campus France on your behalf by the final deadline (usually January 8, 2027), their internal deadline will be much earlier, often in November 2026.
4. Wait for the Results: Campus France typically announces the winners in early April 2027, allowing you plenty of time to arrange your visa before studies commence in September 2027.

Age Restrictions and Eligibility

The Eiffel Scholarship has strict age limits to ensure they are funding young talent. For Master's level applicants, you must be 25 years old or younger at the time of the application campaign. For PhD applicants, you must be 30 years old or younger. (Note: These age limits may slightly shift based on the specific birth-year cutoffs announced in the official October 2026 call).

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Can I apply if I am already studying in France?

No, you are generally not eligible for the Master's component if you are already studying in France. The Eiffel program is strictly designed to attract new talent from abroad. However, for the PhD component, candidates already studying in France might be eligible under specific co-tutelle (joint supervision) arrangements, but candidates studying abroad are always prioritized.