The Eiffel scholarship programme

Selection procedure

At Master's : international student aged 25 or under (born after march 1998), in the following fields :
- Science and techniques : Biology and health, Ecological transition, Mathematics and digital, Science and engineering
- Human and social sciences : History, French language and civilization, Law and political sciences, Economics and management
You must be applying for the first time (combining the Eiffel scholarship with another financial aid from the French government is not possible). Candidates already studying in France are ineligible.

PhD scholarships : international PhD student aged 30 or under (born after march 1993), for a co-supervised or co-directed PhD program in the following fields :
- Science and techniques : Biology and health, Ecological transition, Mathematics and digital, Science and engineering
- Human and social sciences : History, French language and civilization, Law and political sciences, Economics and management

You must be applying for the first time (combining the Eiffel scholarship with another financial aid from the French government is not possible).

Before applying, check your eligibility by going to the Campus France website.

Duration of the scholarship

Master's program: the Eiffel scholarship is allocated for :

•     a maximum of 12 months, for a Master 2 enrollment (Year 2 of the Master's degree)
•     a maximum of 24 months, for a Master 1 enrollment (Year 1 of the Master's degree)
•     a maximum of 36 months for enrolling in a Master of Engineering degree

PhD program: the Eiffel scholarship is allocated for

•     6, 12 or 18 months maximum for all applicants, whether they are already working on their thesis or are newcomers to France or abroad, in co-supervision or co-direction. The 12- and 18-month grants can be split into stays of at least 6 months, subject to justification and a decision by the committee.
•     36 months, subject to enrolment in the 1st year of the thesis only. Please note that the number of 36 month grants will be limited.

Amount of the scholarship

•        Master's level: €1,181 per month
•        PhD level: €1,700 per month (since the 1st of january 2021)

Step by step procedure

Step 1:

Check your eligibility by checking the Campus France website.

Step 2 :

Select your curriculum:

For the Master's program, choose a course of study at Paris-Saclay University (search engine for Master's programs) and check if the Master or engineering program is eligible for the Eiffel scholarship (see list of Master's and engineering programs eligibleat the top of the page). You must ONLY apply to ONE program at Paris-Saclay University. You will find the name of the course manager on the page of the Master's program (search engine for Master's programs).

For the PhD program, you must have obtained, or be in the process of obtaining, a co-supervision or co-direction and provide the co-supervision agreement or a certificate of co-direction signed by the French and foreign parties or any document attesting to the co-supervision / co-directorship project.

Step 3:

Prepare your application file (documents must be translated into French or English).

IMPORTANT - All documents in the same category must be merged into a single PDF

For the Master's program, the application file must contain the following documents:

1. Photocopy of passport (identity page) or idenity papers
2. Curriculum vitae written in French or English (1 to 2 pages)
3. Copy of transcripts of records in the past 3 years
4. Documents attesting your excellence: ranking, dean's list,academic award, merit scholarship, etc. (optional)
5. Post-secondary Diplomas
6. School enrollment certificate for the year 2023/2024 if the candidate is currently a student
7. Certificate of proficiency in the language of instruction of theMaster's program if it is not the native language, or proof ofhigher education studies in that language
8. Cover letter / Professional project, written in French or in English (1 to 2 pages) explaining the choice of studies in France in relation to previous studies and the future professional career.
9. Letters of recommendation from academic and professional references (max 3 letters)

For the Doctorate program, the application file must contain the following documents:

1. Photocopy of passport (identity page) or idenity papers
2. Curriculum vitae written in French or English (1 to 2 pages)
3. Copy of transcripts of records since entering Higher Education
4. Post-secondary Diplomas
5. Certificate or diploma in the language of instruction for the intended program (if it's not your native language)
6. Cover letter / Professional project, written in French or in English (1 to 2 pages) explaining the choice of studies in France in relation to previous studies and the future professional career.
7. Letters of recommendation from academic and professional references (max 3 letters)
8. Co-supervision agreement or a certificate of co-direction signed by the French and foreign parties or any document attesting to a co-supervision / co-direction project (in case of co-direction, attach a letter co-signed by the 2 directors)
9. Presentation of the thesis project and the progress of the research, written in French or English (1 to 5 pages). If possible, proof of at least one communication in a conference (cite references, attach an excerpt)
10. Assessment of the thesis director (from Paris-Saclay University) on the excellence of the candidate and on the coherence, relevance and innovative character of the thesis project
11. Letter of reason written by the director of the host laboratory at Paris-Saclay University (can be a simple email)
12. Letter of reason written by the director of the doctoral school at Paris-Saclay University (can be a simple email)
13. Reasoned opinion on the scientific quality of the thesis subject, written by a university professor/research director who is an expert in the field of research concerned (in compliance with ethical rules)
14. Curriculum vitae of the university professor/research director in question (maximum 2 pages)
15. Global Financing plan of the thesis

Step 4 :

Master's program (and Engineering): Complete the online application form, before Sunday the 12th of November 2023 (11:59 pm).

Doctorate program: Complete the online application form, before Friday the 8th of December 2023 (11:59 pm).

The candidates for the Master's and Engineering program pre-selected by Paris-Saclay University will be contacted by email on Monday December 4th 2023. If you have not been contacted on that day, unfortunately it means that your application has not been accepted. The candidates for the PhD pre-selected by Paris-Saclay University will be contacted by email on friday December 15th 2023.

Applications that are incomplete, sent after the deadline or do not comply with the procedure will not be considered and candidates will not receive any reply.

Step 5 :

For the Master's program, all candidates pre-selected by Paris-Saclay University must then apply for the desired course by following the standard admission procedure, specified on the page for the Master's programme in question (search engine for Master's programs) or on the Polytech Paris-Saclay website.

Application periods can begin as early as January 2024 and last until spring. It is the applicant's responsibility to keep an eye on the information given on the web page of the course in question.

Application Forms

Application form for the Master's and engineering program [platform closed]

Application form for the PhD program [platform closed]

Application calendar

• Deadline for applications: 12th of November 2023, 11:59 pm for the Master's and Engineering program, 8th of December 2023, 11:59 pm for the Doctorate program. These dates are different from the one indicated on the Campus France website (10th of January 2024) in order to allow the examination/preparation of the selected applications.
• If you have not been contacted by Université Paris-Saclay on the 4th of december 2023, unfortunately it means that your application has not been accepted.
• Publication of results (only for students pre-selected by Université Paris-Saclay): Campus France will inform the laureates and the universities early April 2024.

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme is managed by the Campus France agency

If you have questions, you can contact us at: bourse.eiffel @ universite-paris-saclay.fr

More information on the EIFFEL scholarship programme: https://www.campusfrance.org/fr/eiffel