Whether you're planning a Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, or postdoctoral research stay, there are several fully funded and partially funded scholarships that can significantly cut the cost of studying in France. Below we walk through six of the strongest options, who's eligible, what each one actually pays for, and how the application process works.
Useful Resources
- Full Eiffel Scholarship Guide: How to Apply for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
- Scholarship Database: catchthatscholarship.com/scholarships/
- Free SOP Writer: catchthatscholarship.com/sop-outliner/
1. Ampère Excellence Scholarship
The Ampère Excellence Scholarship is offered by ENS de Lyon (École Normale Supérieure de Lyon) for outstanding international students applying to selected Master's programmes. It's designed to attract talented students from around the world across science, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
Benefits: a monthly stipend (the amount varies by academic year), financial support for one academic year — renewable depending on the programme — and a place at one of France's leading Grandes Écoles.
Who can apply: international students applying for an eligible Master's programme at ENS de Lyon who can demonstrate strong academic performance. Selection is highly competitive and based primarily on academic excellence and the quality of the application.
2. Emile Boutmy Scholarship
The Emile Boutmy Scholarship is one of France's most prestigious university-level scholarships, offered by Sciences Po and named after the institution's founder. It's specifically designed for outstanding non-EU students.
Benefits: depending on your level of study, recipients may receive tuition fee reductions, partial tuition waivers, or — for selected programmes — a living allowance.
Eligible programmes: Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
Eligibility: first-time applicants to Sciences Po, who are non-EU citizens, with excellent academic achievements, meeting the standard admission requirements. Awarded on academic merit and overall applicant profile.
3. ENS Paris International Selection Scholarship
The ENS International Selection Scholarship lets exceptional international students study at École Normale Supérieure (ENS) through a competitive international admission process, with students selected on academic ability and research potential.
Benefits: typically a monthly stipend, accommodation assistance, and access to one of France's top research institutions.
Eligible fields: sciences, arts, and humanities. The selection process usually involves written application materials and may include interviews or examinations, depending on the department.
4. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and administered through French higher education institutions. It's one of the most competitive scholarships in France and is aimed squarely at attracting future international leaders.
Levels of study: Master's and PhD.
Benefits: a monthly living allowance, international airfare, health insurance, local transportation, and cultural activities. It's worth noting the Eiffel Scholarship generally doesn't cover tuition fees directly, although many universities separately waive or reduce tuition for scholarship recipients.
Important: you can't apply for this one directly. You first apply for admission to a French university; if the university selects you as a strong candidate, it submits your Eiffel Scholarship application to Campus France on your behalf.
Applying for the Eiffel Scholarship?
We've written a complete, step-by-step guide covering eligibility, the full timeline, required documents, and exactly how the university nomination process works: How to Apply for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship →
5. MOPGA Scholarship (Make Our Planet Great Again)
The MOPGA Scholarship supports international researchers working on environmental and climate-related topics. It was created by the French Government to encourage global collaboration on climate change and sustainable development.
Fields of research: climate change, environmental science, ecology, energy transition, earth sciences, and biodiversity.
Who can apply: mainly early-career and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with eligible French research institutions. This is a research-focused award rather than a traditional degree scholarship — selection is based on scientific excellence and the quality of the proposed research project.
6. Université Paris-Saclay International Master's Scholarship (IDEX)
Université Paris-Saclay offers one of France's most attractive scholarships for international Master's students, aimed at drawing highly qualified applicants toward doctoral studies at the university.
Benefits: annual scholarship funding, plus additional travel and visa support for eligible students.
Eligibility: you must apply to an eligible Master's programme at Université Paris-Saclay, be admitted first, and then be nominated by the Master's programme before completing the scholarship application. Selection weighs academic excellence, motivation, research potential, and long-term academic goals.
Which Scholarship Should You Apply For?
Each of these targets a different kind of applicant. Here's a quick side-by-side to help you narrow it down:
| Scholarship | Study Level | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Ampère Excellence Scholarship | Master's | ENS de Lyon students |
| Emile Boutmy Scholarship | Bachelor's & Master's | Sciences Po, non-EU applicants |
| ENS Paris International Selection | Bachelor's / Master's (varies) | ENS Paris |
| France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship | Master's & PhD | Government scholarship, future leaders |
| MOPGA Scholarship | Research / Postdoctoral | Climate & environmental research |
| Université Paris-Saclay IDEX Scholarship | Master's | Université Paris-Saclay |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fully funded scholarship in France?
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is generally considered the most prestigious government-funded option, covering a living allowance, airfare, health insurance and local transport for Master's and PhD students. It's highly competitive and applied for through your host university rather than directly.
Can I apply directly to the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship?
No. You must first apply for admission to an eligible French university or Grande École. If the university selects you as a strong candidate, it submits your Eiffel Scholarship nomination to Campus France on your behalf.
Do France's scholarships cover tuition fees?
It varies. Some, like the Emile Boutmy Scholarship, offer tuition reductions or waivers. Others, like the Eiffel Scholarship, generally don't cover tuition directly, although many universities separately reduce or waive fees for scholarship recipients.
Are these scholarships open to all nationalities?
Most are open broadly to international students, though some — like the Emile Boutmy Scholarship — are specifically reserved for non-EU applicants. Always check the individual scholarship's eligibility page, since rules can change each cycle.
Final Thoughts
France offers some of Europe's most generous scholarships for international students, ranging from university-funded awards to prestigious government programmes. Each has different eligibility criteria and application procedures, but all of them reward strong academic performance and a genuinely well-prepared application.
Review the official requirements carefully, prepare your supporting documents early, and pay close attention to university-specific deadlines — a strong application submitted on time makes a real difference.
If the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is your main target, our dedicated guide walks through the whole process step by step, including exactly how the university nomination system works.
Helpful Resources
- Full Eiffel Scholarship Guide: How to Apply for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
- Scholarship Database: catchthatscholarship.com/scholarships/
- Free SOP Writer: catchthatscholarship.com/sop-outliner/
- University Finder: catchthatscholarship.com/university-finder/
