Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo Announced as Chair of Lafayette Fellowship Jury
Esther Duflo © Collège de France - Patrick Imbert
We are delighted to announce that Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo will serve as Chair of the National Jury for the inaugural cycle of the Lafayette Fellowship, a new graduate scholarship in France for tomorrow’s leaders.
The participation of Dr. Duflo as Chair of the Jury is one of many special milestones for the Lafayette Fellowship, in which up to 30 U.S. students of exceptional caliber will be welcomed for a fully funded year of master’s level study at one of 15 top French higher education institutions.
The Lafayette Fellowship was officially launched in September by His Excellency, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. At a conversation held at Villa Albertine in New York, Mr. Macron met with American university students to discuss the vibrant legacy and future of French-American collaboration in higher education. Read more here.
The participation of Dr. Duflo as Chair of the Jury further distinguishes the Lafayette Fellowship and its future student cohort, as well as the program’s global standing among other graduate fellowships.
About the Lafayette Fellowship
The Lafayette Fellowship will support up to 30 outstanding U.S. students for one year of master’s-level study at one of 15 top French institutions. Programs span Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts, offered in English or French.
Alongside their academic coursework, fellows will join the French-American Leadership Program, gaining mentorship support and full immersion into European innovation, culture, and policy.
Apply here by November 30, 2025 to join the inaugural cohort in 2026!
For any questions, please reach out to Florence Botello at lafayettefellowship@villa-albertine.org or consult the program’s FAQs page.
In partnership with
Embassy of France in the United States
To learn more about the French Embassy in the United States, click here.
France Science
The Office for Science and Technology (OST) of the Embassy of France in the United States is a network of 22 staff members spread across the entire U.S. In close collaboration with the main French research organizations represented at the Embassy, it addresses key scientific topics identified by joint French-American committees, and supports and promotes transatlantic research and innovation in these areas.