Last updated: November 2026
Most students who hear about the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship do the obvious thing: they look for the application form. There isn’t one, at least not for students. Campus France accepts Eiffel applications only from French universities and schools, so a French institution has to choose you and nominate you before you’re even in the running. The second surprise is the deadline. The date you’ll see everywhere, 6 January 2027, is the deadline for institutions. Your own deadline is set by the university, and it can fall weeks earlier.
That’s why strong candidates miss out on Eiffel: they prepared the wrong application for the wrong date.
This guide covers how the nomination works, who is eligible for the 2027 campaign, what the scholarship pays (and what it doesn’t), which documents institutions must submit and how to make your file easy to nominate. I’ve also added lessons from my own applications, including one where a missing passport ended a scholarship application before it was assessed.
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2027 at a Glance
| Official name | France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Programme |
| Funded by | French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
| Managed by | Campus France |
| Study levels | Master’s and doctorate degrees |
| Who can apply | Foreign nationals who meet the programme conditions |
| Monthly allowance | €1,200 (master’s), €2,000 (doctorate) |
| Fields | Seven priority disciplines |
| How to apply | Through nomination by a French higher education institution |
| Institutional deadline | 6 January 2027 |
| Your real deadline | The university’s internal date, often in November or December 2026 |
| Results | Week of 12 April 2027 |
| Intake | 2027–2028 academic year |
Keep one distinction in mind throughout: being eligible for Eiffel doesn’t mean you can apply on your own. You first need an institution willing to nominate you.
What Is the Eiffel Scholarship?
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs created the programme to help French higher education institutions attract outstanding international students. Campus France runs it, while universities and other eligible institutions select the candidates and submit the nominations.
Funding goes to master’s and doctoral programmes in seven priority fields. Four sit within science and technology: biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital sciences, and engineering sciences. The other three belong to the humanities and social sciences: history, French language and civilisation; law and political science; and economics and management.
The programme’s stated aim reaches beyond paying for a degree. It sets out to train future decision-makers whose careers will strengthen ties between France and their home countries. Grades matter, but so does a clear sense of where your studies are leading.
Is the Eiffel Scholarship 2027 Fully Funded?
You’ll often see Eiffel described as fully funded. That label needs qualifying. The scholarship pays a generous monthly allowance and several other benefits, but the official regulations state that it does not generally cover tuition or training fees. Scholarship holders at certain public institutions may be exempt from registration fees under the applicable rules, so your real costs depend heavily on where you study.
| Benefit | Master’s students | Doctoral students |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly allowance | €1,200 | €2,000 |
| International travel | Subject to programme conditions | Subject to programme conditions |
| Travel within France | Eligible transport support | Eligible transport support |
| Health insurance | Provided under applicable arrangements | Provided under applicable arrangements |
| Accommodation | Assistance through programme services | Assistance through programme services |
| Cultural activities | Access to organised activities | Access to organised activities |
| Tuition and training fees | Not generally covered | Not generally covered |
| Public university registration fees | Exemptions may apply. | Exemptions may apply. |
How much could an Eiffel scholar receive?
The allowance is paid monthly over the approved scholarship period, so the total depends on how long your award runs. Two years at €1,200 a month comes to €28,800; a 36-month doctoral award at €2,000 a month comes to €72,000. These are calculated totals, not lump sums paid in advance, and they exclude travel, insurance and the other benefits.
| Study pathway | Duration | Monthly allowance | Calculated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s, second year (M2) | 12 months | €1,200 | €14,400 |
| Master’s, from the first year (M1) | 24 months | €1,200 | €28,800 |
| Eligible engineering programme | 36 months | €1,200 | €43,200 |
| Doctoral award | 12 months | €2,000 | €24,000 |
| Doctoral award | 18 months | €2,000 | €36,000 |
| Doctoral award | 36 months | €2,000 | €72,000 |
You can’t simply pick the longest option. The approved period depends on the programme and, for doctoral candidates, on the research and supervision arrangements. Choosing a programme because its maximum funding looks attractive is a poor reason to apply.
Check the tuition before you commit.
A master’s at a public university can have very different fees from a specialised degree at a business school, and some institutions charge substantial tuition even for programmes taught in France. Ask the university two direct questions. Does this programme qualify for a registration fee exemption? If not, which fees would I still pay with Eiffel funding?
Get the answer in writing if you can. A generous allowance can still leave a serious gap if the tuition hasn’t been settled.
Who Can Apply for the Eiffel Scholarship in 2027?
Eiffel is open to foreign nationals applying for master’s or doctoral study in France, but several conditions can rule you out: nationality, age, where you’re currently studying and whether you’ve applied before. The rules for master’s and doctoral candidates also differ.
| Requirement | Master’s candidates | Doctoral candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Foreign nationals | Foreign nationals |
| French dual nationals | Not eligible | Not eligible |
| Date of birth | After 31 March 1997 | After 31 March 1991 |
| Currently studying in France | Not eligible | May be eligible |
| Currently studying abroad | Eligible, subject to other rules | Eligible, with priority given to candidates abroad |
| Previous unsuccessful Eiffel application at the same level | Cannot apply again | Cannot apply again |
| Previous Eiffel award at the same level | Not eligible | Not eligible |
| Nomination by a French institution | Required | Required |
| Nomination by more than one institution | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Age limits for master’s and PhD applicants
For the 2027 campaign, master’s applicants must have been born after 31 March 1997, and doctoral applicants after 31 March 1991. Exact dates are more useful than the “under 30” or “under 36” you’ll see on other sites. Someone born in April 1997 meets the master’s condition; someone born in February 1997 does not.
Can students from Cameroon and other African countries apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and every other African country can be considered. Eiffel isn’t limited to Europeans or to French-speaking countries. The institution must still admit you academically and agree to nominate you.
If you studied in English, language is the practical question. Some French institutions run English-taught master’s and doctoral programmes, but each sets its own admission and language requirements.
Can you apply while studying elsewhere in Europe?
Potentially, yes. The master’s restriction applies to candidates already studying in France. It doesn’t automatically exclude a foreign student currently enrolled in Italy, Germany, Belgium or anywhere else. Doctoral candidates already studying in France may also qualify, though priority goes to those studying abroad.
This one matters to me personally, since I’m an international student in Italy myself. What counts is your academic situation, not simply where you live, so read the rule for your level carefully.
What if you’ve applied for Eiffel before?
This is one of the strictest rules. According to the official guide, a candidate whose Eiffel application was unsuccessful cannot be nominated again at the same academic level, even by a different institution or in a different field. Previous Eiffel holders at the same level are also ineligible. Check your history before you start a new file.
Which Courses Are Eligible for the Eiffel Scholarship?
The seven official fields are broad, but that doesn’t make every related course eligible. The table gives examples of subjects that may fit each field.
| Official field | Examples of potentially relevant subjects |
|---|---|
| Biology and Health | Biomedical sciences, biotechnology, health research |
| Ecological Transition | Environmental science, sustainability, renewable energy |
| Mathematics and Digital Sciences | Applied mathematics, statistics, data science |
| Engineering Sciences | Electrical, mechanical, industrial and other engineering disciplines |
| History, French Language and Civilisation | French studies, historical research, civilisation |
| Law and Political Science | International law, governance, political science |
| Economics and Management | Economics, finance, management, business studies |
The final decision rests with the nominating institution, which classifies each programme.
Can economics, finance and business graduates apply?
Yes, provided the programme meets the scholarship’s requirements. Economics and Management is one of the seven fields, which opens doors in financial economics, international finance, quantitative methods and management.
A programme title alone doesn’t settle eligibility, though. Take a master’s in business analytics: it might combine economics, management, statistics and computing, and the institution has to decide whether it fits an Eiffel field. Rather than guessing, ask the programme coordinator or the international relations office to confirm.
What about other disciplines?
The same logic applies. A public health graduate might find a fit in biology and health; an environmental engineer in ecological transition or engineering sciences; or a mathematician in mathematics and digital sciences. Start from what you’ve actually studied, then check the programme’s curriculum. A subject on the Eiffel list won’t help you if your qualifications don’t support admission.
How French Universities Nominate Eiffel Candidates
Nomination is the heart of the process. You cannot submit a completed application to Campus France yourself; the institution assesses you, decides whether to back you and then submits the nomination. That creates two rounds of competition. You first compete for the institution’s support, and only then does your file enter the national selection.
Admission and nomination are separate decisions. A university may admit you without nominating you, and it may nominate a strong candidate who still isn’t funded.
Finding universities that nominate Eiffel candidates
Start with programmes, not scholarship adverts. Find French master’s or doctoral programmes that match your background, then look up each institution’s Eiffel procedure. International offices often publish instructions, eligibility details and internal deadlines. Some use a dedicated Eiffel preselection form, while others ask you to apply for the degree first or to contact the department. No single procedure applies across French institutions.
| Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does the university nominate Eiffel candidates? | Participation and procedures differ |
| Is my chosen programme eligible? | Not every degree qualifies |
| What are the academic entry requirements? | Your qualifications must fit |
| Is it taught in English or French? | Decides your language preparation |
| What is the internal Eiffel deadline? | It may be months before January |
| Who handles nominations? | Lets you contact the right office |
| Are tuition fees payable? | Eiffel does not cover them in general |
| Which documents are needed? | Requirements vary between institutions |
| Is doctoral supervision available? | Essential for research applicants |
A short list of well-matched programmes will serve you better than a long list of universities with no clear link to your goals.
Can you contact several universities?
You can research programmes and send enquiries to several institutions; that’s a sensible way to see your options. The rules, however, allow only one official nomination per candidate. If two institutions are considering you, settle the situation before either submits a formal nomination. An enquiry is not a nomination.
From my experience: In 2024 I applied to programmes in the US, Canada, Australia, Finland and Denmark at the same time, and many of those applications were rushed. In 2025 I focused on just two countries, Germany and Italy, researched each programme properly and received offers in both. Eiffel rewards the same discipline: one well-chosen programme and one strong nomination beat a dozen hurried enquiries. — Primus
Eiffel Scholarship 2027 Deadline: Why the University’s Date Matters More
Institutions must submit their Eiffel nominations by 6 January 2027. For students, that date can mislead. Universities need time to review applications, verify records, choose candidates and prepare dossiers, so many set internal deadlines in November or December 2026.
| Stage | Date or period | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign opens | 2 October 2026 | Identify programmes and check university calls |
| University preselection | Varies by institution | Submit your documents before the internal deadline |
| Institutional nomination | Before 6 January 2027 | Respond quickly to any outstanding requests |
| National submission deadline | 6 January 2027 | The institution submits your dossier |
| Results | Week of 12 April 2027 | Watch for messages from the university |
| Academic intake | 2027–2028 | Complete admission and arrival arrangements |
Picture a student who discovers Eiffel on 20 December 2026. The January deadline seems to leave more than two weeks, but the university they want closed its internal Eiffel round in November. The national date no longer helps them. Confirm the university’s own deadline before you spend a single evening on documents. Our guide to university application deadlines explains how these layers of dates work.
How to Apply for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2027
The process becomes much clearer once you separate your responsibilities from the institution’s.
Step 1: Choose an eligible master’s or doctoral programme
Start from your qualifications and interests. An economics graduate, for example, should look for programmes that build on economic theory, statistics, econometrics or finance. Doctoral candidates need a topic that matches the host institution’s expertise and supervision capacity. Read the entry requirements closely, because a generous scholarship cannot rescue an unsuitable degree.
Step 2: Find the university’s Eiffel procedure
Read the institution’s official scholarship notice or contact its international office. Ask whether it is nominating for 2027, which programmes qualify and when candidates must submit documents. Also find out whether admission and Eiffel preselection are handled together or separately.
Step 3: Prepare your supporting documents
Most candidates need academic records, a CV, an identity document and a professional project. Universities may add language evidence, recommendations or their own forms, and doctoral candidates must prepare research documents with prospective supervisors. Request transcripts and references well before the deadline.
Step 4: Submit to the institution
Follow the institution’s instructions exactly: file formats, translations, naming conventions and submission method. If the university uses a separate preselection form, the ordinary admission application alone may not be enough.
Step 5: Take part in institutional selection
The university then assesses its candidates, looking at academic performance, research achievements, professional goals and programme fit. Some departments interview candidates or ask for more information. Make it easy for reviewers to see what you’ve achieved and why this degree is the logical next step.
Step 6: Secure the nomination
If you’re chosen, the university prepares and submits your official Eiffel dossier through Campus France. From this point the formal submission is the institution’s responsibility. Nomination does not guarantee an award.
Step 7: Wait for the final decision
Campus France coordinates the national selection, and 2027 results are due in the week of 12 April 2027. Successful candidates then follow their institution’s instructions on enrolment, scholarship administration, travel and arrival.
Required Documents for the Eiffel Scholarship 2027
The official 2027 guide lists the documents institutions must provide. Doctoral files are heavier because they involve research assessment and supervision arrangements.
| Document | Master’s applicants | Doctoral applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Identity document | Required | Required |
| Academic CV | Maximum 2 pages | 1–2 pages |
| Degrees and distinctions | Required | Required |
| Transcripts from the last three years | Required | Required |
| Language certificate | Where applicable | Where applicable |
| Professional project | 1–2 pages | 1–2 pages |
| Research or thesis proposal | Not generally required | Maximum 5 pages |
| Signed candidate declaration | Required | Required |
| Programme details and calendar | Required | Separate doctoral documentation applies |
| External scientific assessment | Not required | Required |
| External expert’s CV | Not required | Maximum 2 pages |
| Overall thesis financing plan | Not required | Required |
| Joint supervision or cotutelle documents | Not applicable | Required for relevant arrangements |
These are the official dossier requirements. Universities may ask for extra material during their own screening.
An academic CV that shows real achievement
A scholarship CV should show the reviewer how you’ve developed, not just list the schools you attended. Master’s applicants can include distinctions, projects, internships, research assistance and professional responsibilities. Doctoral applicants should give real space to research experience, publications if any, methods and scholarly activity.
Be specific. “Experienced in data analysis” tells a reviewer nothing; the type of analysis, the tools you used and the question the project answered tell them a great deal. If you led a student initiative, state its purpose and its measurable result. Not everyone has publications or major awards, and that’s fine. Present genuine achievements clearly and never inflate them. Our guide to the academic CV walks through the format.
Writing the one- to two-page professional project
The professional project is your best chance to show direction. A convincing one answers four questions:
- What have you studied or achieved so far?
- Why is this particular French programme your best next step?
- What knowledge or skills do you expect to gain?
- How will that preparation feed into your future professional or research work?
Suppose an applicant studied economics and worked on financial inclusion projects. “I want to become an international financial expert” gives the committee nothing to assess. A paragraph describing a specific problem they met in that work, the knowledge they lacked to solve it and the courses in the programme that cover that gap gives the university something concrete to evaluate. The strongest projects don’t promise to fix society; they set out credible ambitions backed by real preparation.
Additional Requirements for Doctoral Applicants
Doctoral applications need a fuller research framework. The official guide limits the thesis proposal to five pages, covering the research problem, objectives, hypotheses, originality and expected contribution. Our guide on how to write a research proposal covers that structure in detail.
The dossier must also include an independent scientific expert’s opinion. The expert has to meet official rules on qualifications and independence, including restrictions on institutional affiliation and nationality, so discuss this with the prospective institution early.
| Doctoral award | Duration | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Short doctoral mobility | 12 months | Requires a cotutelle or co-supervision arrangement |
| Extended doctoral mobility | 18 months | Requires a cotutelle or co-supervision arrangement |
| Full doctoral funding | 36 months | For qualifying first-year doctoral candidates under specific conditions |
The 36-month award has extra restrictions and limited availability, and the official guide makes it incompatible with cotutelle. The shorter awards, by contrast, require joint supervision or cotutelle documents. You cannot simply choose whichever duration suits you.
Why supervisor fit matters
A strong proposal is only half of doctoral preparation. The university must also have the expertise and capacity to supervise your topic.
From my experience: While exploring doctoral opportunities outside France, I corresponded with prospective supervisors who gave me useful feedback on my proposals, my preparation and the weight of publications. In another case, the university couldn’t find a suitable supervisor for my topic at all. A promising research idea doesn’t automatically become an available doctoral place. — Primus
For Eiffel, that means contacting suitable research teams early and asking honestly whether your project fits their work. Our guide to contacting professors includes email structures that work.
A Lesson From My Own Applications: Prepare the Boring Documents First
My scholarship journey began in 2018–2019, during the final year of my economics degree in Cameroon. I applied to several British universities and for the Commonwealth Scholarship, and I spent weeks learning to write personal statements, leadership essays and development-impact statements. The work paid off with several admission offers.
Then the application stalled. I didn’t have a passport.
I’d assumed I could get one after receiving an offer. When my Commonwealth application reached the nomination stage, the missing passport stopped it from going any further. Getting the passport then took far longer than expected because of an inconsistency in my identity records.
That experience changed how I approach every application. In the years that followed I met offers without full funding, administrative obstacles and supervision problems before finally securing scholarship support to study in Italy. The pattern was always the same: winning depends on far more than strong essays. You have to understand the selection process, prepare documents early, separate admission from funding and think ahead to what happens after an offer.
Eiffel tests exactly those skills. A university may judge you academically suitable and still not nominate you, and a nomination still doesn’t guarantee the award. Knowing those stages from the start saves time and a great deal of disappointment.
What if you don’t have a passport yet?
Don’t assume you’re ineligible. The official Eiffel guidance allows an identity card at the application stage when no valid passport is available, subject to the programme’s requirements. A valid passport is required before scholarship benefits can be arranged, though. Rules like this vary between scholarships, which is why my Commonwealth experience doesn’t mean Eiffel works the same way. Always follow the rules of the scholarship in front of you, and start the passport process early anyway.
How Competitive Is the Eiffel Scholarship?
Eiffel is a selective excellence programme, and competition starts inside the university, where staff decide whom to nominate. The national evaluation then assesses the dossiers against the programme’s selection framework.
Academic excellence counts, but so does how well your achievements, academic direction and proposed studies fit together. For doctoral candidates, research quality and institutional fit carry particular weight. A high GPA strengthens a file; it cannot replace the right programme, a credible professional project or institutional support.
| Part of the application | Strong approach | Weak approach |
|---|---|---|
| Programme choice | A degree that builds on your previous studies | Applying only because funding is available |
| Academic CV | Relevant, verifiable achievements | Long lists of unrelated activities |
| Professional project | Clear links between studies and career | Generic statements of ambition |
| University contact | Informed, programme-specific questions | Identical messages to many departments |
| Doctoral proposal | A feasible, original research question | A broad topic with no clear method |
| Documents | Requirements checked weeks before the deadline | Transcripts and references chased in the final week |
| Finances | Tuition and remaining costs confirmed | Assuming every cost is covered |
| Nomination | One valid institutional nomination | Letting several institutions nominate you |
Should you contact professors before applying?
For master’s programmes, your contact is usually the programme coordinator, the admissions office or the international relations team. You don’t generally need to write to individual professors unless the procedure asks for it.
Doctoral study is different, because supervisor involvement is central. Keep your first message brief: your academic background, your proposed research direction and why you’re writing to that particular researcher. Leave out the long personal history and the generic request for funding. The goal of a first email is to show academic relevance and find out the next step.
Common Eiffel Application Mistakes
- Confusing admission with nomination. An admission offer doesn’t mean the university has nominated you. Ask if your status is unclear.
- Working to the January date. The Campus France deadline applies to institutions; your university may want your documents much earlier.
- Allowing more than one nomination. Researching several universities is fine, but only one may formally nominate you.
- Ignoring tuition and other costs. The allowance is generous, yet tuition is not covered in general. Confirm your costs before deciding.
- Sending a generic professional project. A project that could go unchanged to any university shows weak fit. Tie it to the specific programme.
- Starting the doctoral proposal late. Supervision, the independent scientific assessment and the financing plan all need coordinating.
- Overlooking an earlier Eiffel application. If you were unsuccessful at the same level, you cannot reapply through another university.
Eiffel Scholarship vs Erasmus Mundus: Which Is Better?
Students planning postgraduate study in Europe often weigh Eiffel against Erasmus Mundus. Both fund strong candidates, but they support different kinds of study. Eiffel funds master’s and doctoral programmes in France through French institutions. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are integrated programmes run by international consortia, and students usually study in several countries.
| Feature | Eiffel Scholarship | Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters |
|---|---|---|
| Where you study | France | Countries in the chosen consortium |
| Levels | Master’s and doctorate | Master’s |
| How to apply | Nomination by a French institution | Directly to the programme consortium |
| Master’s monthly support | €1,200 | Set by the Erasmus Mundus scholarship rules |
| Doctoral funding | Available | Not through the Joint Masters scholarship |
| Age limits | Official Eiffel birth-date limits | No equivalent universal age rule |
| Tuition | Not generally covered by Eiffel | Set by the consortium and scholarship conditions |
| Deadline | University deadline, then the national institutional deadline | Varies by programme |
Neither is automatically better. If you want a particular French university and a programme that closely matches your goals, Eiffel may suit you best. If you’d rather study across several countries in one degree, Erasmus Mundus may fit better. Note that the Eiffel regulations do not allow Eiffel funding to be combined with an Erasmus+ scholarship. To compare fields and structures, see our guide to the 37 new Erasmus Mundus programmes for 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Eiffel Scholarship 2027
Is the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2027 open?
Yes. The campaign opened in October 2026, and institutions have until 6 January 2027 to submit nominations. University deadlines for students may be earlier.
Can I apply directly to Campus France?
No. Only eligible French higher education institutions can submit Eiffel applications. Students go through the university’s internal nomination procedure.
How much is the monthly allowance?
€1,200 a month for master’s scholars and €2,000 a month for doctoral scholars, over the approved funding period.
Does Eiffel cover tuition fees?
Not in general. The programme does not usually cover training fees, although scholarship holders at certain public institutions may be exempt from registration fees.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Eiffel sets no universal IELTS requirement. Each institution decides whether applicants meet the language requirements of its programmes.
Can I study in English with an Eiffel Scholarship?
Potentially, yes. You need an eligible English-taught programme and must meet its admission and language requirements.
Can Cameroonian students apply?
Yes, provided they meet the programme conditions and obtain an institutional nomination.
Can I apply while studying in Italy?
Studying in Italy doesn’t automatically exclude you. The master’s restriction applies to applicants already studying in France.
Can I apply without a passport?
The official guidance allows an identity card at the application stage in the circumstances it describes. A valid passport is required before scholarship benefits can be arranged.
Can I apply to several French universities?
You can explore several universities and their admission procedures, but only one institution may formally nominate you.
Can I reapply after an unsuccessful application?
Not at the same level. The official rules prohibit a new application at the same level after an unsuccessful Eiffel application.
Can I hold Eiffel and Erasmus+ scholarships together?
No. The Eiffel regulations prohibit combining the two.
Does Eiffel guarantee accommodation?
No. Accommodation assistance may be available, but you should not expect free or guaranteed housing.
When will the 2027 results be announced?
During the week of 12 April 2027, according to the official campaign calendar.
Final Word: Prepare for the Institution, Not Just the Scholarship
Eiffel offers substantial support and a route into French postgraduate study, but its nomination structure punishes late or unfocused preparation. Before you write a motivation statement or ask for references, pick the programme you want, confirm that it qualifies and that the institution is nominating, then find the internal deadline.
With those details settled, build your documents around that one programme: what you’ve achieved, why its training fits your goals and what you realistically plan to do afterwards. Doctoral candidates should start talking about supervision and feasibility now.
Remember that 6 January 2027 is the institutions’ deadline, not necessarily yours. A careful application won’t guarantee an award, but it gives the university a clear, credible case to put forward.
Official Links
- Campus France: France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Programme
- Campus France: Call for France Excellence Eiffel applications 2027
Editorial note: This article is based on the official France Excellence Eiffel 2027 regulations, the application guide for French higher education institutions and Campus France’s published campaign information. Always confirm institution-specific procedures and deadlines with the university concerned.
