The French government has opened applications for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program, offering fully funded opportunities for foreign students, including Kenyans, to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees in France.
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, developed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to attract top foreign students to French higher education institutions and train future leaders in both the public and private sectors.
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program Open for International Students
The scholarship covers two main fields of study with seven priority areas:
Science and Technology:
- Biology and Health
- Ecological Transition
- Mathematics and Digital
- Engineering Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences:
- History, French Language, and Civilization
- Law and Political Science
- Economics and Management
Levels and Duration of Study
French institutions of higher education and national research organizations that nominate candidates for the Eiffel Program agree to enroll them in:
- A program leading to a Master’s degree (or the equivalent) accredited by the French government
- A nationally accredited engineering program
- A Doctoral program (dual degree or joint supervision of dissertation) in partnership with a foreign institution
For both components of the program, the scholarship is awarded for the academic year corresponding to the call for applications.
The funded study period must begin between September 1 and November 30 of the year in which the scholarship is awarded.
The start date cannot be postponed.
Master’s Level
The scholarship is awarded for:
- Up to 12 months for recipients entering the second year of a Master’s program (M2)
- Up to 24 months for recipients entering the first year of a Master’s program (M1)
- Up to 36 months for recipients enrolling in an engineering program
Doctoral Level
Eiffel scholarships are awarded for a period of 12, 18, or 36 months, starting from September 1 of the award year. The duration is determined under the following conditions:
- A 36-month scholarship is available only to new candidates enrolling in the first year of a doctoral program. Their program cannot be converted into a dual-degree program. New candidates are defined as students who are not already studying in France and are not enrolled in a French institution of higher education.
- A 12- or 18-month scholarship (depending on the year of enrollment) is open to all candidates, including those already in a doctoral program (joint supervision of dissertation or dual degree):
- Up to 12 months for recipients entering the second or third year of a doctoral program
- Up to 18 months for recipients entering the first or second year of a doctoral program
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Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive a monthly allowance of €1,200 (Ksh 181,200) for Master’s students and €2,100 (Ksh 317,000) for PhD students, starting January 2026.
The stipend is complemented by several additional benefits, including international and national transportation, health insurance, housing assistance, and access to cultural activities.
Generally, payments are made by bank transfer to a French bank account in the recipient’s name. The first payment is sent via Western Union. The allowance is paid from the date of the recipient’s arrival in France, but not earlier than the agreed date of arrival.
The scholarship also covers airfare in the least expensive class available, from the international airport closest to the recipient’s home abroad to their academic location in France.
Upon submission of receipts, recipients may be reimbursed for airfare costs up to 50% of the maximum rate set by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for travel from their country of origin.
Eiffel scholarship recipients are enrolled by Campus France in a temporary health insurance plan until their coverage under the French national scheme (Sécurité Sociale) takes effect. This national scheme is mandatory and free of charge for all students enrolled in French higher education institutions.
For housing, Campus France offers recipients the option of student dormitories managed by CROUS (the national student housing agency) or accommodation in private homes.
To enhance the cultural experience, Campus France organizes weekend outings that allow recipients to relax, socialize, and meet other scholarship holders. Longer getaways of 3–4 days provide opportunities for cultural and touristic discovery in a friendly environment.
Finally, recipients have up to 12 months after the end of their scholarship to request their return ticket. Coverage of the return flight is subject to the submission of final academic results at the end of the scholarship period.
Also Read: Kenyan University Students Win Prestigious Prize at Global Competition in Germany
How to Apply for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
First Step
Contact Campus France in your country of origin or the French Embassy’s Cooperation and Cultural Action Department, which can provide guidance and advice on your study plans.
Campus France—the agency responsible for promoting French higher education, research, and international academic mobility—is responsible for managing and tracking recipients’ programs of study in France.
To learn about the procedures and deadlines for submitting an application, please contact the international relations department of a French institution through its website, by email, or by telephone.
It is up to you to choose the school or university that best fits your study plans in France. All French higher education institutions are eligible to submit applications.
Second Step
Once the institution accepts and supports your application for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, it will submit your application online via the dedicated Campus France website.
Application Timeline
- Opening of the call for applications: October 1, 2025
- Deadline for the reception of applications by Campus France: January 8, 2026, included.
- Publication of results: from the 30th of March, 2026
For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme
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Hi, can somebody studying in Kenya benefit from this scholarships
“I am highly interested in the fully paid scholarships announced by the French Government . This is a golden opportunity for me to further my education, gain international exposure, and build the skills needed to contribute positively to my community.”
Fsc completed student can apply
Interested tobe apart of this scholarship
Seeking scholarship application