Villa Albertine proudly announces the launch of its Lafayette Fellowship, a new program that allows students of exceptional caliber to advance their academic pursuits through graduate study in France.

New York, September 3, 2025 – Villa Albertine proudly announces the launch of its Lafayette Fellowship, a new program that allows students of exceptional caliber to advance their academic pursuits through graduate study in France.

Launching on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and celebrating the French-American friendship, the Lafayette Fellowship will fund one year of master’s level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students. The call for applications was opened on August 29, 2025 and will accept applications until November 30, 2025. The first cohort of Lafayette Fellowship laureates will be welcomed in Paris in July 2026.

The Program

Designed by the French Embassy in the United States, Villa Albertine, and France Science, the Lafayette Fellowship is intended to support the next generation of young leaders with a strong interest in relations between the U.S. and France. Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone candidates, the program partners with leading French academic institutions across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts, with courses taught in French or entirely in English.

The Lafayette Fellowship aims to deepen academic and cultural exchange between France and the U.S. and to nurture future leaders. In addition to their academic studies, fellows will benefit from a year-long series of activities including masterclasses, site visits, and opportunities for mentorship.

“We greatly anticipate receiving the initial set of applications for our Lafayette Fellowship,” stated Mohamed Bouabdallah, Cultural Counselor of France in the United States and Director of Villa Albertine. “In a constantly evolving world, academic partnerships are more essential than ever. By supporting future global leaders, we are investing in the future of the transatlantic relationship.”

Applications for the Lafayette Fellowship will be accepted until Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.

Learn more about the Lafayette Fellowship on our website.