Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program in France - The Eiffel Excellence Program is a scholarship granted by the French government to overseas students. The Eiffel Scholarship is entirely funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in order to attract foreign students to Master's and PhD studies. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is open to all French higher education institutions.

The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs awards the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship to overseas students wishing to study in France for a Master's or Ph.D. Program. Those who are selected for this scholarship will get a monthly financial help of $1323 USD. This equates to $15,873 USD each year.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program in France

The French higher education system is among the best in the world, and it is also one of the most accessible due to cheap tuition prices when compared to other countries. For foreign students, studying in France is a more cost-effective and sustainable choice that provides world-class education. In January 1999, the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs created The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme to encourage and recruit international students to their Master's and Doctoral programmes.

This page explains all you need to know about the scholarship programme, including eligibility requirements, rewards, and more.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program in France - Eligibility Criteria

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is the most prestigious French scholarship available, while being highly competitive. All students have to do is study hard and make sure they match the Eiffel Scholarship eligibility standards before applying.

For the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, students must satisfy the following qualifying requirements:

The candidate should be an international student. They must produce a passport as evidence.
Applications submitted through sources other than French education institutions will not be considered.
Candidates must choose either a Ph.D. or a Master's Program. The following Programs are eligible for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship:
Academic disciplines include law, political science, engineering, and economics/management.

Those applying for Master's Programs must be 25 years or younger at the time of application. Applicants for Ph.D. Programs must be no older than 30 years old at the time of application.

Please read these terms and conditions. They are one of the most significant parts of the Eiffel Scholarship qualifying criteria:

Candidates who have already applied for another scholarship sponsored by the French government will not be eligible for this one.
No candidate can apply for the scholarship more than once, regardless of whether the school or course is different.
Candidates for the scholarship must have a basic knowledge of the French language.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program in France - Application Process

Applications for the scholarship must be submitted through French higher education institutions. To apply for the scholarship, you must complete the procedures below.

Contact Campus France's office in your country. Nominations from Campus France will be accepted only.
Select your course and country from the official website to see a database of Programs and universities.
All French higher education institutions may submit applications.
The institution acknowledges and supports your candidature for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship.
The institution submits your application electronically using the Campus France website.

Students applying through Campus France should take note of the following:

The open call for applications will commence in the third week of October 2024.
The deadline for receiving applications is January 10, 2025.
The findings will be published during the third week of April 2025.
Generally, applications for this award start in September and end in January. The majority of the time, results are announced around March.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program in France - Selection Process

Now that we've reviewed the Eiffel Scholarship qualifying requirements, let's have a look at the selection procedure. The selection committee is made up of four panels of specialists from the departments of engineering sciences, law, political science, and management.

Here are a few tips for the choosing process:

No panellist can examine submissions from institutes with which they are affiliated or involved.
Students will be evaluated for the scholarship based on their academic performance as stated in their application form.
The departments and institutions to which candidates belong may be considered based on their commitment to the promotion of the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program in France - Documents Required

Students must have the following documents available before applying:

A photocopy of your passport or any other acceptable identification card
All your academic transcripts.
Project or research proposal
CV
A Statement of Purpose explaining how they have contributed to the institute.
Certificates of linguistic competence and scores. (For English and/or French) as needed.
Two letters of recommendation from their former institutions or professors

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program in France - Benefits

Getting this scholarship will not be easy. A few years ago, 380 scholarships were offered to Master's students, whereas just 70 were awarded to Ph.D. candidates.

Only a handful of the lakhs (more than 2,50,000) of international students that enrol in French institutions will go on to pursue a Master's or Ph.D. The figure is as low as 5% or even lower. This indicates there may be just a 4% probability of receiving the scholarship.

With this in mind, the advantages are well worth the effort and competitiveness required to succeed.

In addition to the monthly stipend, the scholarship covers other expenditures, such as travel reimbursement.

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship awardees will receive:

A monthly payment of €1,181 (1,03,120 INR) at Master's level.
A monthly payment of €1,700 (1,48,436 INR) for the doctorate level

Benefits include international flights, domestic travel assistance, insurance, and cultural activities. French government scholarships exclude recipients from paying tuition for Programs leading to a national diploma (master's, PhD) or an approved engineering degree.

Additional benefits include:

Free living at the Fresh Government house or a housing subsidy if the student chooses to stay in private student residences. However, if the student has taken any breaks from their studies, this permission will be stopped at this time.
Weekend trips to France can help students relax.
A round-trip international ticket that covers air travel between the candidate's residence and France. The awarded student will have one year from the conclusion of the scholarship to enjoy the benefits of the return trip.
Various sports, leisure, and recreational options.
Cultural activities.
French Social Security for Non-EU Countries
Health insurance coverage until the grantees enlist themselves in the French Social Security system.

Conclusion

Finally, the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship provides an excellent chance for overseas students to pursue higher education in France, promoting cultural interchange and intellectual success. This scholarship Program not only benefits worthy scholars, but it also promotes France's reputation as a global destination for high-quality education and research.

FAQs

Q.1. Who is eligible for the Eiffel Scholarship in France?

Ans: Candidates must be less than 25 years old (born after March 31, 1998). Applicants for our two-year Master's courses with a nationality other than French (please note that dual nationality holders with one of them being French are ineligible).

Q.2. Is the Eiffel scholarship difficult to obtain?

Ans: To be eligible for the Eiffel Scholarship, students must achieve specific requirements, such as having a solid academic record and displaying leadership potential. The scholarship is highly coveted, and the competition for grants is severe.

Q.3. How much is the Eiffel scholarship stipend?

Ans: France Excellence Eiffel scholarship participants get a monthly stipend of €1,800 (since January 1, 2024), which includes a variety of services such as international and national transportation, insurance, housing searches, cultural events, and more.

Q.4. What is the acceptance rate of the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?

Ans: Each year, the Eiffel Scholarship accepts 87% of all students seeking for Master's degrees and specialisations, as well as 93% of those applying for Doctoral degrees in its extensive specialisations.

Q.5. What are the selection criteria for the scholarship?

Ans: The selection process is very difficult and is based on academic performance, the coherence of the applicant's career path, and the quality of the host school and Program. Language skills in French or English may also be required, depending on the Program.

Q.6. Are there any post-scholarship obligations?

Ans: The Eiffel Scholarship awardees are urged to maintain academic achievement throughout their studies. Furthermore, after finishing their studies in France, students are required to return to their home country for at least a year and contribute to the development of its academic and professional sectors.