France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship: How to Apply

Key Facts

Status: Applications Open
Provider: Campus France South Africa
Field of Study: International
Study Level: Postgraduate / Masters

Doctoral
Application Closes: Wed, 6 Jan 2027 - 12:00

Reviewed & Verified by Makona Mandla Lead Editor, Bursary Verification

Open Closes

Wed, 6 Jan 2027 - 12:00

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship (Campus France South Africa)

Eligibility Requirements

A foreign student who is not already studying in France
Aged 29 or younger for master's applicants, or 35 or younger for doctoral applicants
Applying to a master's or doctoral programme at a French higher education institution
Nominated by that French institution, which submits the application
Studying in one of the programme's priority fields

Documents Needed

The documents required by the French institution that you apply to, such as your academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV and motivation letter
A valid passport
Any language test results that your chosen programme asks for

The French institution prepares the Eiffel application file, so ask its international office exactly what it needs from you.

About France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is the French government's main scholarship for top foreign students who want to do a master's or doctorate in France. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs created the programme to help French higher education institutions attract the best international students. Campus France South Africa promotes it to South African students.

The scholarship aims to support the future decision-makers of the private and public sectors, in priority fields of study. It pays a monthly allowance and covers several costs directly, such as travel and insurance, so that scholars can focus on their studies.

The call for 2027 opened on 2 October 2026. French institutions must submit their applications to Campus France by 6 January 2027, and results are expected from the week of 12 April 2027. Your own deadline comes earlier, because the French institution that you apply to sets it.

Funding Details

Eiffel scholarship holders at master's level receive a monthly allowance of €1,200. Doctoral scholarship holders receive a monthly allowance of €2,000. Both also receive several services that are paid directly, including international and national travel, insurance, help with finding accommodation, and cultural activities. The Eiffel programme does not cover tuition fees.

The length of the scholarship depends on your level of study:

Up to 12 months for the second year of a master's programme
Up to 24 months for the first year of a master's programme
Up to 36 months for an engineering programme
Up to 36 months for new candidates entering the first year of a doctoral programme
Up to 12 or 18 months for doctoral mobility, for example under joint supervision

Where You Can Study

The scholarship is for study at a French higher education institution, such as a university, an engineering school or a business school. The institution must take part in the Eiffel programme and agree to put your application forward.

The funded study period must start between 1 September and 30 November of the year of the award, and the scholarship cannot be carried over to the next academic year. It covers your time in France, except in some cases involving internships or exchanges.

About Campus France South Africa

About Campus France South Africa Campus France is the French national agency that promotes higher education in France and helps international students who want to study there. Campus France South Africa is its office for…

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Fields of Study & Who Can Apply

The Eiffel programme has a master's component and a doctoral component. At master's level, it encourages applicants of up to 29 years old from developing countries. At doctoral level, it encourages applicants of up to 35 years old from developing and industrialised countries.

You do not apply to the Eiffel programme yourself. Only French higher education institutions can submit applications, so you must first apply to a master's or doctoral programme at a French university or school. The institution then decides which candidates to nominate for an Eiffel scholarship.

The scholarship is for students who are not already studying in France. It is aimed at excellent students in the programme's priority fields.

Application Procedure

Choose a master's or doctoral programme at a French institution.
Apply for admission, and ask the institution whether it will consider you for an Eiffel scholarship.
Meet the institution's internal deadline, which comes before 6 January 2027.
The institution submits your application to Campus France if it decides to nominate you.
Check for results from the week of 12 April 2027.

For general advice about studying in France, contact Campus France South Africa.