Scholarships in France

A prestigious award run by Campus France (the French government's educational agency) for top international students to pursue master's or PhD in France. Students cannot apply directly — French universities nominate their best international applicants, so you must first apply to a French university program, then coordinate with them to be put forward for Eiffel. The scholarship does not automatically cover tuition (since public Master's tuition in France is relatively low, ~€3,800/year, which universities often waive or which the stipend helps offset indirectly). Fields eligible are science/engineering, economics/management, and law & political science.

A merit-based scholarship at Sciences Po, France's leading social science university, awarded to top non-EU students enrolling in undergraduate or Master's programs. No separate application is required — Sciences Po automatically considers eligible applicants. Given Sciences Po's global reputation in politics, international relations, and economics, this scholarship is highly competitive.

ENS in Paris, one of France's most elite 'grandes écoles', selects approximately 30 international students each year through a competitive process for a paid 2–3 year research-focused education. Selected students receive a monthly stipend and access to one of the most prestigious academic environments in the world. ENS alumni include many Nobel Prize winners and Fields Medalists.

Paris-Saclay, consistently ranked among the world's top science universities, offers scholarships to excellent international students in its Master's programs. The award covers €10,000/year plus up to €1,000 for travel and visa costs. Paris-Saclay is particularly strong in physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.

Campus France manages a directory of scholarships including those by French companies, governments, and organizations. Notable programs include Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) for researchers in climate and environment, the PRESTIGE postdoc program, and regional scholarships offered by French municipalities and institutions. The database is searchable and is the best starting point for finding French scholarships by field or nationality.

Specifically for Indian students to study in France at undergraduate, Master's, or PhD level. Managed by the French embassy in India, the Charpak Scholarship covers a monthly stipend, visa fees, and other allowances. There are different variants (Charpak Lab, Charpak Master's, Charpak Semester) for different study modes.

Many French labs and research institutes offer funded PhD contracts (contrats doctoraux) with a salary of approximately €1,400–€1,800/month. These are employment positions — not traditional scholarships — and are open to international applicants. You'd apply to a PhD position offered by a university or research institute (often through CNRS, INRIA, or INSERM labs), and if accepted, the contract covers your living expenses. This is similar to how other European countries fund doctoral research.