France has rapidly become one of the most attractive destinations for international students, offering a perfect blend of world-class education, rich culture, and incredible post-study work opportunities. While public university tuition fees in France are already significantly lower than in many other Western countries, managing living expenses in cities like Paris or Lyon can still be a challenge.
Fortunately, the French government and top academic institutions offer highly competitive financial aid. Here is your ultimate guide to the best fully funded scholarships in France for the 2026 academic year.
1. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program
The Eiffel Scholarship is the crown jewel of French financial aid. Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this program is designed to attract top foreign students to enroll in Master’s and PhD programs across France.
What it Covers: A generous monthly allowance of €1,200 for Master’s students and €2,100 for PhD candidates. It also covers international round-trip airfare, national transportation, health insurance, and housing assistance. (Note: It does not directly cover tuition, but French government scholarship holders are legally exempt from public university tuition fees).
Eligible Fields: Science & Technology (Biology, Engineering, Math, Ecological Transition) and Humanities & Social Sciences (History, Law, Political Science, Economics).
Application Timeline: You cannot apply directly to Campus France. Your chosen French university must nominate you. University internal deadlines are usually between October and November 2025, ahead of the national Campus France deadline on January 8, 2026.
2. Sciences Po Émile Boutmy Scholarships
Named after the founder of Sciences Po, the Émile Boutmy Scholarship is specifically tailored for top international students from outside the European Union applying for Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.
What it Covers: The funding varies based on merit and financial need, ranging from partial tuition fee waivers to full tuition coverage paired with annual living grants (up to €14,210 per year for undergraduate or €13,100 per year for Master’s).
Eligibility: First-time applicants from non-EU states admitted to Sciences Po programs.
Application Timeline: Deadlines typically fall between December 2025 and January 2026.
3. Ampère Excellence Scholarships (ENS de Lyon)
The École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon is an elite Grande École. The Ampère Scholarship is designed to recruit outstanding international students into their Exact Sciences, Arts, and Human/Social Sciences Master’s programs.
What it Covers: A stipend of €1,000 per month for 12 months (renewable for the second year of the Master’s program).
Eligibility: International students with exceptional academic records applying to an ENS de Lyon Master’s program.
Application Timeline: Applications usually open in late 2025, with a strict deadline around January 2026.
4. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships
Université Paris-Saclay, renowned globally for its STEM and Mathematics programs, offers massive support to international talent through its merit-based Master’s scholarship.
What it Covers: A grant of €10,000 per year, paid over 10 months, plus a maximum of €1,000 for travel and visa expenses.
Eligibility: Newly admitted international students under 30 years old enrolling in a Paris-Saclay Master’s program.
Application Timeline: You must first be admitted to a Paris-Saclay Master’s program. The scholarship application window typically runs from February to May 2026.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
While not exclusive to France, the EMJMD is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship awarded by the European Union. Many of these joint programs involve spending at least one or two semesters at a top French university.
What it Covers: Full tuition fees, full health insurance, travel allowances, and a monthly living stipend (usually between €1,000 and €1,200).
Eligibility: Open to top students globally applying to a recognized Erasmus Mundus joint program.
Application Timeline: Varies by specific program consortium, but most deadlines fall between January and March 2026.
How to Win a French Scholarship: Quick Application Tips
Securing a fully funded scholarship in France is highly competitive. Here is how you can stand out:
Start Early: For the Eiffel Scholarship, you must secure admission or nomination from a French university months before the actual scholarship deadline.
Master Your Motivation Letter: French institutions heavily weight your statement of purpose. You must clearly connect your past academic record, your proposed study in France, and your long-term career goals.
Prepare Your Documents: Ensure your transcripts, CV (in Europass or French format), and recommendation letters are translated (if necessary) and ready to upload well ahead of the deadlines.
