Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2027
The most prestigious French government scholarship. The 2027 call opened on 2 October 2026 and French institutions must submit nominees by 6 January 2027. You cannot apply directly — only French institutions nominate you.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
What Eiffel covers
The France Excellence Eiffel programme was set up by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs so that French institutions can attract the best foreign students — future decision-makers in the private and public sectors — into master's and PhD programmes. Campus France manages it. The monthly allowance rose in January 2026, and Campus France pays several services directly on top.
| Benefit | Master's | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly allowance | €1,200 | €2,000 |
| Registration fees | Exempt (public institutions) | Exempt (public institutions) |
| Travel | Covered | Covered |
| Insurance | Covered | Covered |
| Housing help | Partial | Partial |
| Allowance over 12 months | €14,400 (plus services) | €24,000 (plus services) |
| Maximum length | 12 months (M2), 24 months (M1), 36 months (engineering diploma) | 12, 18 or 36 months |
Travel means your outbound flight and your final return flight in economy class, plus a train or bus from the airport to your study city. Insurance means temporary cover until you join French social security, then a free top-up mutuelle. Registration fees are waived for national diplomas at public institutions; other tuition or training fees are not covered. The 36-month PhD award is reserved for students starting the first year of a thesis who are not already studying in France.
Your stay must begin between 1 September and 30 November 2027 for the 2027 call, and the award cannot be deferred.
Eligible fields
Eiffel funds seven thematic domains. Four are in science and technology, three in the humanities and social sciences.
Science & engineering
Biology and health; ecological transition; mathematics and digital; engineering sciences. In practice that covers mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, engineering (all branches), earth sciences and environmental science. Examples of institutions with programmes in these areas: Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, ENS, Mines Paris and INSA Lyon.
Economics & management
Economics, finance, management, business administration, actuarial science and quantitative methods. Examples of institutions with programmes in this area: HEC, ESSEC, Sciences Po, Paris-Dauphine and TSE.
Law & political science
International law, public law, political science, international relations and European studies. Examples of institutions with programmes in this area: Sciences Po, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas.
History, French language & civilisation
The seventh domain covers French history, language and civilisation, so these humanities programmes can also be nominated.
The one-shot rule
If your Eiffel application is rejected at a degree level, you are permanently barred from reapplying at that level — even through another institution or in another field. Rejected for Master's Eiffel? That door is closed for good. You could still try at PhD level later, but the master's chance is gone.
Only apply when:
- Your institution actively participates in Eiffel nominations
- You are near the top of your cohort
- Your chosen field is eligible
- You meet the age requirement
Eiffel 2027 timeline
All dates →- 1From September 2026Institution calls
You apply to your French institution first. Each sets its own internal Eiffel deadline — Nantes Université, for example, closes on 12 November 2026.
- 22 Oct 2026 – 6 Jan 2027Institutions submit nominees
The Campus France platform opened on 2 October 2026 and closes on 6 January 2027 (that day included).
- 3Week of 12 April 2027Results
Expert panels score the nominations. Campus France emails the results to institutions and laureates.
- 1 Sep – 30 Nov 2027Scholarship begins
Allowance payments start once you begin your programme in France.
For reference, the 2026 call opened on 1 October 2025, closed on 8 January 2026 and published results from 30 March 2026.
Start with the motivation letter and the documents checklist.