Call for Applications: The 2027 Summer Academy in Architecture and Urban Studies

Since 2023, Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, has organized the Summer Academy in Architecture and Urban Studies, designed to inspire a new generation of students committed to innovation in architecture and urban planning.

In partnership with Université Gustave Eiffel and sponsored by Saint-Gobain, the global leader in light and sustainable construction, this program offers students the opportunity to engage in a nine-week cultural and professional experience in Paris.

In 2027, the program will run from May 31 to July 30.

Open to American students in architecture and urban planning, this program includes:

One week of visits, seminars, and workshops with French students to discover the rich urban ecosystem of Paris (from May 31 to June 4, 2027). This week will be led and supported by a dedicated instructor.
An eight-week internship in a renowned architecture or urban planning structure in Paris (from June 7 to July 30, 2027). Internship placements are organized entirely by Villa Albertine.

During both phases of the program, American students will be paired with French students in architecture or urban planning. The French architecture students will be enrolled in the following architecture schools of the Ile-de-France region: Ecole de la ville et des territoires Paris-Est, Ecole nationale supérieure d’architecture de Versailles, Ecole nationale supérieure d’architecture Paris-Malaquais – PSL, Ecole nationale supérieure d’architecture Paris-La Villette and Ecole nationale supérieure d’architecture de Paris-Belleville.

To foster connections among participants, the program also includes social gatherings and luncheons.

First Week Highlights:

A Variety of Fields: Mix of architecture, urban planning, industry, and heritage
A Pedagogical Approach: Student presentations, Q&A sessions
On-site Immersion: Factory visits, sites under transformation, etc.
High-Quality Supervision: Presence of competent coordinators providing technical expertise in English

Internship Experience:

Hands-On Training: Learn French architectural/urban methods and design processes firsthand.
Career Advantage: Be part of the Parisian global architecture/urban ecosystem.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Work closely with French peers and expand your teamwork skills.
Language and Culture: Learn French (or improve it) and explore Parisian architecture and lifestyle.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s program in architecture or urban studies at an American university at the time of the application (fall 2026).
Applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Knowledge of French is not required as English will be the working language. French language skills are a plus.
Laureates must have a valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least six months validity after July 30, 2027.

Internship Opportunities

Villa Albertine offers internship opportunities within a network of renowned agencies and institutions. Detailed internship descriptions will be transmitted to the laureates after the selection process.

Placements are assigned after a careful review of applicants’ qualifications and preferences. Once selected, laureates will be invited to indicate one or more internship choices. Following this, most internship supervisors will conduct an online interview with the selected laureates.

While every effort will be made to accommodate applicants’ preferences, placements are subject to availability, and candidates may not receive one of their preferred options. In such cases, they will be contacted to confirm their continued interest in the program.

Indicative List* of French host institutions:

*Other internship locations to be announced.

Students will have to submit a brief internship report to Villa Albertine at the end of the program.

Financing

This program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of Saint-Gobain, allowing Villa Albertine to offer this opportunity at an accessible cost.

Participation Fee: $600
Laureates will be required to pay this fee once selected. Participation will be confirmed only upon receipt of the payment.

What’s Included?

Housing accommodation for the 9-week stay (from May 30 to July 31, 2027) at the Maison des Élèves Ingénieurs Arts et Métiers, in downtown Paris. If they wish, students may arrange their own accommodations in the private housing market, at their own expense.
Health and liability insurance coverage for the 9-week stay
Daily guidance from a dedicated expert
Internship placement in a prestigious Parisian agency
Access to all program activities on May 31-June 4: cultural visits, workshops, seminars and social gatherings (luncheons/dinners to connect with fellow participants)
A certificate of participation delivered by the Embassy of France in the United States (upon completion of the program)

Throughout the nine weeks, participants will have access to a dedicated point of contact. A comprehensive welcome and resource kit will be provided to the laureates before their arrival in France.

What’s not included?

Airfare to and from Paris
Daily living expenses (meals, public transportation). The estimated cost of living in Paris is approximately €1,200 ($1,400) for 9 weeks.
Visa and travel document fees

We encourage students to explore funding opportunities through their home universities.

Please note: Before applying, you must first inform your home institution, which will be required to sign your future internship agreement. Villa Albertine will provide you with a template of an agreement, if needed.

How To Apply?

Please read the following documents carefully before applying:

FAQ
Flyer

Applications must be submitted through Google Forms. If you don’t already have a Google account, you will need to create one.

The following documents must be uploaded on the application form:

Resume/CV
Portfolio required for architecture students, optional for urban planning students
Latest academic records (2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic years)
Bachelor’s diploma
For students enrolled in the first year of a Master’s degree: offical letter of enrollment
Letter of commitment (provided by Villa Albertine)
Photo ID

Optional

French Language Certificate
Letter of recommendation (to be sent to chicago@villa-albertine.org)

Application Timeline

October 19, 2026: Call for applications opens
November 22, 2026: Application deadline
December 22, 2026: Results announced

We value your own ideas and perspective. Please refrain from using AI to draft your responses.

All inquiries should be sent to chicago@villa-albertine.org

Accommodation Details

Students can be hosted at the Maison des Élèves Ingénieurs Arts et Métiers within the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. Students are free to choose alternative housing, but they are responsible for finding and covering the costs of their accommodation.

At Maison des Élèves Ingénieurs Arts et Métiers, each student will be provided with:

A private studio apartment
Facilities, including a kitchen, sink, shower, and WC

Students may extend their stay at their own expense.

Address: 1 avenue Pierre Masse, 75014 Paris
From Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport: RER B line (€14), 55 minutes direct, no transfer, including 10 min walking.

Supported by

World leader in sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the residential, non-residential and infrastructure markets. Its integrated and innovative solutions deliver sustainability, performance and comfort to its customers. The Group is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME.”

€46.5 billion in sales in 2025
162,000 employees, present in 81 countries
Committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

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