Apply by April 22nd for the France Excellence Graduate Scholars Program, providing registration tuition scholarships to high-potential students who choose to pursue Master's degrees in French higher education institutions.  

Coordinated by the Embassy of France in the United States and Campus France, the France Excellence Graduate Scholars program aims to support up to 30 students each year, under the status of French Government Scholarship Recipient (Boursier du gouvernement français) at the level of a Social Security Grant (Bourse de couverture sociale).

This new program seeks to support high-potential students with demonstrated financial need who choose to pursue a Master’s degree in France.

The benefits of being selected as a France Excellence Graduate Scholar extend beyond the financial award, and include access to housing support, a network of other global scholars, and support from the Campus France Agency while in country.

Benefits of the Scholarship

• Full registration fee waiver for the entire program period of a Master’s degree within a French public institution under the authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI). The amount of the waived tuition fee may vary depending on institution and program. Eligible Master’s programs include national degrees within French public universités and within some additional public institutions of higher education* under the authority of the MESRI. Only tuition following the national fee structure is eligible for exemption. Frais de formation or additional fees will not be exempted.
• • *Additional public institutions with France Excellence Graduate Scholar Partnerships include:
    • The École normale supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon) – see Partnerships information below for details
    • The École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) – see Partnerships information below for details
• Full health insurance and supplementary insurance coverage.
• Access to cultural activities, travel opportunities, sports, and workshops subsidized by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
• Networking with thousands of other French government scholars from around the world.
• Administrative and logistical support from the Campus France Agency in Paris (read more).
• Scholars are responsible for their own travel and living expenses, and are encouraged to seek additional grants or financial aid, if needed. Some restrictions on additional funding from French public agencies may apply, read the Detailed Application Information. 

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident (students with French citizenship are not eligible to apply).
• Have gained admission, or be in the process of applying for admission, to Master’s level degree a public French institution of higher education (in either M1 or M2). Eligible Master’s programs include national degrees within French public universités and additional public institutions of higher education authority of the MESRI.
• Have an undergraduate record of academic excellence.
• Demonstrate high potential for academic excellence at the graduate level.
• Demonstrate high potential for an impactful professional career in their respective field.
• Demonstrate financial need. A key goal of this scholarship program is to provide financial support for students who may not otherwise have the means to consider pursuing graduate school in France. As such, financial need of the applicant is considered in the selection process.

How to Apply

Calendar

• Applications open: April 3, 2025
• Deadline for online applications and supplementary documents: April 22, 2025
• Scholar selection decisions announced: May 2025

Online Application Process

The online application form includes the following information:

• Information about the Master’s degree program/s to which you have been admitted, or to which you are in the process of applying.
• Etudes en France Dossier Number (if you have submitted an Etudes en France Application as an HDAP Candidate);
• Three statements of motivation covering academic and professional goals:
  • How has your previous undergraduate academic background prepared you for this Master’s program? (2,500 characters max.) 
  • How does this Master’s program align with your professional goals? (2,500 characters max.) 
  • Optional: Do your professional goals align with any of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals? If so, please describe that alignment. (2,500 characters max.)

• Statement of demonstrated financial need:
  • Please describe why becoming a Campus France USA Graduate Scholar and having access to the tuition waiver and other benefits of this Bourse de couverture sociale would be important for you as you consider the financial commitment of graduate study. (2,500 characters max.)
• Supporting documents:
  1. A recent resumé or CV;
  2. Official undergraduate transcripts and letter of good standing (if not yet graduated);
  3. Letters of recommendation that focus on academic potential, research potential, and/or ability to adapt to a new academic environment (optional, unless already included in your EEF application);
  4. Proof of acceptance to a Master’s program at a French university (if already admitted) or proof of submission of an admissions application to a Master’s program at a French university (if awaiting admissions decisions). NOTE: Supporting documents are not required for this online application if candidates have already submitted an HDAP Candidate application via Etudes en France.

Contact

For inquiries about the Campus France USA Graduate Scholars Program, please contact:

Campus France USA
Embassy of France in the United States
washington@campusfrance.org

Image by Valeria Kodra