Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is the French government's flagship award for international Master's and PhD students — the marquee scholarship of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, administered by Campus France. It pays a monthly stipend of €1,181 (Master's) or €1,400 (PhD), plus return flights, comprehensive health insurance, and cultural activities. Selection is by nomination only: a French university must put forward your name after admitting you to one of its programmes. Strong Sri Lankan applicants from Moratuwa, Colombo, and Peradeniya — particularly in engineering, science, economics, management, law, and political science — have a track record of being nominated by HEC Paris, Sciences Po, École Polytechnique, and the Paris-Saclay group.
Campus France (French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Master's Stipend
€1,181/month for up to 24 months
PhD Stipend
€1,400/month for up to 36 months
Extras
Return Flights + Insurance + Cultural Activities
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Admitted to a French Master's or PhD
You must hold (or be in the final stages of securing) an admission offer from a participating French higher education institution. The university nominates you internally — you cannot apply directly to Campus France.
Non-French Nationality, Under 30 (Master's) or Under 35 (PhD)
Reserved for non-French citizens applying from outside France. Master's candidates must be 30 or younger; PhD candidates 35 or younger at the start of the academic year. Sri Lankan passport holders are eligible.
Priority Fields
The Eiffel programme prioritises engineering and science, law, economics and management, political science, and (for PhD only) life and earth sciences, environmental sciences, and mathematics. Programmes outside these fields are rarely nominated.
Language
Programmes may be taught in French or English. There is no separate language test for the scholarship — language requirements are set by the host institution. Many top Master's programmes accept IELTS 6.5+ or equivalent.
account_tree Application Process
Secure a French university offer
Apply to your chosen French Master's or PhD programme via Études en France (for some institutions) or directly on the university portal. Eiffel-eligible institutions include the grandes écoles (HEC Paris, ESSEC, Sciences Po, Polytechnique), the IDEX universities, and many engineering schools.
Flag your interest in Eiffel
Tell the university's international office or programme director that you would like to be considered for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — ideally during your admissions interview. Submit any supporting documents they request (CV, motivation letter, references).
Institutional nomination
The French institution prepares and submits your nomination file to Campus France via the Eiffel online platform. Internal deadlines vary — most institutions close nominations in October–December for the January Campus France deadline.
Campus France selection + outcome
Campus France's selection committee meets in March. Results are released to institutions in late March; institutions then notify candidates. The scholarship is paid monthly across your programme duration.
Why Eiffel?
France hosts the largest English-taught grandes écoles cohort in continental Europe. An Eiffel award unlocks tuition-discount packages at HEC, ESSEC, Sciences Po, and the engineering schools — combined with monthly funding and a post-study job-search visa, the total package rivals UK Chevening for many applicants.
~400
Awards per Year Globally
12 mo
Post-Study Job-Seeker Visa
70+
Participating French Institutions
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