France Excellence Graduate Scholars
Coordinated by the Embassy of France in the United States and Campus France, the France Excellence Graduate Scholars program provides registration fee scholarships to high-potential students who choose to pursue Master's degrees in French higher education institutions.
Details of the Scholarship
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 cultural activities, 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 registration 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 registration fees following the national fee structure are 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
- *Additional public institutions with France Excellence Graduate Scholar Partnerships include:
- 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.