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The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is a French Government programme for foreign students who want to do a Master’s or PhD in France. You cannot apply to it directly. A French university or school must choose you and send your file to Campus France, so your first job is to get an institution in France to support you.
Eiffel Scholarship at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Run by | French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, managed by Campus France |
| Levels | Master (including engineering degrees) and PhD |
| Age limit | 29 or younger for Master, 35 or younger for PhD |
| Who applies | The French institution submits your file. Students cannot apply alone. |
| Tuition | Not covered by the scholarship. Public institutions do not charge enrolment fees to Eiffel holders. |
| Latest call | Opened 2 October 2026 for the 2027 session |
| Institution deadline | 6 January 2027 (your institution may set an earlier date) |
| Results | Announced by email in the week of 12 April 2027 |
Who Can Be Nominated
- You are a foreign student. Nigerian and other African citizens are eligible to be nominated.
- You are aiming for a Master’s, an engineering degree or a PhD at a French higher education institution.
- You are within the age limit on the call: 29 for Master, 35 for PhD.
- Your field falls inside the priority fields set for the year. These have covered science and technology plus selected humanities and social science areas such as law, political science, economics and management. Ask the institution to confirm the current list.
- A French institution agrees to nominate you and signs the submission form sent to Campus France. You also sign an engagement form.
What the Scholarship Pays
Amounts change from time to time. The figures below are the last published schedule. Check the current Eiffel guide on the Campus France website before you plan your budget.
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| Benefit | Master | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly allowance | €1,181 | €1,800 |
| Return flight from your home country | Yes, economy class | Yes, economy class |
| Housing allowance (private housing, on request) | €115 a month | €115 a month |
| Health cover | Campus France cover until you join French social security | Same |
| Cultural activities | Trips, sports and shows | Same |
| Tuition fees | Not covered | Not covered |
How Long the Award Lasts
| Programme | Maximum funded period |
|---|---|
| Master 2 (final year) | 12 months |
| Master 1 plus Master 2 | 24 months |
| Engineering degree | 36 months |
| PhD | Up to 36 months, depending on the year you enrol in |
An intensive language course before the degree can add up to two months if you ask for it in the application, but the language course itself is not paid for.
Twelve-month total
For a Master 2 award funded for 12 months, the monthly allowance of €1,181 comes to €14,172 over the year (1,181 x 12). If you rent privately and receive the €115 housing allowance for all 12 months, that adds €1,380 (115 x 12). The return flight and health cover are provided separately, and tuition is not part of these figures.
Step by Step: How to Get Nominated
- Choose Master or PhD programmes in France that match the priority fields.
- Apply for admission to those programmes and tell each admissions or international office that you want to be considered for Eiffel.
- Ask the institution for its own internal deadline. It is usually earlier than the national deadline.
- Prepare the documents the institution requests, such as transcripts, a CV, a motivation letter and references.
- Sign the engagement form when the institution asks for it.
- Wait for the institution to send its list to Campus France. Campus France then emails the results.
Timeline for the 2027 Session
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| 2 October 2026 | Call opens for institutions |
| Before 6 January 2027 | Your institution collects and checks files |
| 6 January 2027 | Institutions send their lists to Campus France |
| Week of 12 April 2027 | Results emailed |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Writing to Campus France as if you could apply alone | Contact the admissions office of the French institution instead |
| Waiting until January to start | Start admission and nomination talks months earlier, since institutions set their own cut-off |
| Assuming tuition is paid | Ask the institution what you will owe, if anything |
| Counting only the monthly allowance | Budget for visa costs, deposits and your first weeks in France |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply directly to the French Ministry or Campus France?
No. Only French higher education institutions can submit files. You need an institution that agrees to nominate you.
Does the scholarship cover tuition?
No. It pays a monthly allowance and related services. Public institutions do not charge enrolment fees to Eiffel holders, but you should confirm this with your institution.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. For the 2027 session you must be 29 or younger for a Master’s and 35 or younger for a PhD.
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Can Nigerians and other Africans be nominated?
The programme is for foreign students. Nationality is not restricted to certain countries, but French institutions choose who to nominate, so strong grades and a clear study plan matter.
Do I still need a French student visa?
Yes. A scholarship does not replace a visa. Once you are admitted and funded, apply for a long-stay student visa through the French visa process for your country.
Where do I find the official call?
The official programme page is on the Campus France website: France Excellence Eiffel scholarship programme.
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