Fully Funded Scholarships in France 2026 for International Students

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Fully Funded Scholarships in France 2026 for International Students

Dreaming of studying in France? You’re not alone. France is one of the top destinations for international students thanks to its world-class universities, vibrant culture, and rich history. The best part? There are dozens of fully funded scholarships in France for 2026–2027 that cover tuition, living costs, travel, and more — making it possible to study without financial stress.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top scholarships in France for 2026, including programs funded by the French government and leading universities, plus key deadlines so you can plan your applications early.

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🌟 1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France Excellence)

The Eiffel Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It is aimed at attracting the best international students to pursue:

Master’s degrees (12–36 months)
PhDs (up to 12 months)

What It Covers

Monthly living allowance
International and domestic transport
Health insurance
Housing assistance
Cultural activities

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: October 1, 2025
University Deadlines: October–November 2025
Example: Paris-Saclay closes November 9, 2025
Sciences Po closes October 19, 2025
Results Announced: April 2026

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🎓 2. Ampère Excellence Scholarships – ENS de Lyon

The École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon offers the Ampère Scholarships for exceptional international students pursuing a Master’s degree in:

Sciences
Arts
Humanities
Social Sciences

What It Covers

Monthly stipend for up to 2 years

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: Late 2025
Deadline: January 2026
Results: Early–mid 2026

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🇪🇺 3. France Excellence Europa Scholarship

This relatively new scholarship is designed for students from 26 EU countries who want to pursue Master’s studies in France.

What It Covers

Tuition fees
Health insurance
Monthly living allowance

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: April 2026
Deadline: Late April 2026
Results: May 2026

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🏛 4. Sciences Po Émile Boutmy Scholarships

Sciences Po, one of France’s top institutions, offers the Émile Boutmy Scholarship to outstanding non-EU students at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

What It Covers

Partial to full tuition fee waivers
Annual financial aid based on merit and need

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: November 2025
Deadline: December 2025 – January 2026 (varies by program)
Results: Spring 2026

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🧪 5. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships

Université Paris-Saclay is known for its strong focus on science, innovation, and research. Its Master’s scholarship program is awarded based on academic excellence.

What It Covers

Annual living allowance
Travel allowance

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: February 2026
Deadline: May 2026
Results: June 2026

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🏔 6. Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) Excellence Master’s Scholarships

Université Grenoble Alpes offers scholarships through its Excellence Initiative (IDEX) for talented international Master’s students.

What It Covers

Tuition fee reduction
Living stipend

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: Early 2026
Deadline: April 2026
Results: May–June 2026

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🌊 7. Université Côte d’Azur Graduate Scholarships

This scholarship is ideal for students planning to pursue a Master’s program with a possible transition to a PhD afterward.

What It Covers

Semester-based financial allowance

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: January 2026
Deadline: March 2026
Results: Spring 2026

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🔬 8. ENS Paris-Saclay International Scholarships

These scholarships are targeted at international students in science and engineering fields.

What It Covers

Tuition support
Living allowance

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications Open: December 2025
Deadline: March 2026
Results: Spring 2026

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💼 9. HEC Paris MBA Scholarships

HEC Paris offers a range of scholarships to attract global talent, including merit-based and need-based awards for MBA candidates.

What It Covers

Up to 50% of tuition fees

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications: Multiple rounds from October 2025 – May 2026
Results: Released after each round

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🌍 10. INSEAD MBA Scholarships

INSEAD provides more than 90 different scholarships to MBA students, ranging from need-based awards to spot scholarships for exceptional candidates.

What It Covers

Partial tuition fee coverage (amount depends on the scholarship)

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications: Rolling deadlines, aligned with MBA admission rounds
Results: Published with admission results

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🏫 11. IESEG International Scholarships

IESEG School of Management awards partial tuition waivers (10–50%) for international students applying to its graduate programs.

Timeline (2026–2027)

Applications: Open October 2025 with degree applications
Deadline: Rolling, depending on intake

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Scholarship

Applications Open

Deadline

Results

Eiffel Excellence

Oct 2025

Oct–Nov 2025

Apr 2026

Ampère (ENS Lyon)

Nov 2025

Jan 2026

Early–mid 2026

France Excellence Europa

Apr 2026

Late Apr 2026

May 2026

Émile Boutmy (Sciences Po)

Nov 2025

Dec 2025–Jan 2026

Spring 2026

Paris-Saclay Masters

Feb 2026

May 2026

Jun 2026

Grenoble Alpes (UGA)

Early 2026

Apr 2026

May–Jun 2026

Côte d’Azur

Jan 2026

Mar 2026

Spring 2026

ENS Paris-Saclay

Dec 2025

Mar 2026

Spring 2026

HEC Paris MBA

Oct 2025

Multiple

Rolling

INSEAD MBA

Sept 2025

Rolling

Rolling

IESEG

Oct 2025

Rolling

Rolling

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📝 Final Tips for Applicants

Studying in France is more accessible than ever — but competition for scholarships is tough. Here’s how to increase your chances:

Prepare Early: Start gathering recommendation letters and official transcripts before applications open.
Polish Your CV: Highlight achievements, projects, and leadership roles.
Write a Strong Statement of Purpose: Showcase your passion, goals, and why you chose France.
Track Deadlines: Missing an internal university deadline means losing your chance for that year.

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🌍 Your Future in France Awaits

With fully funded scholarships in France for 2026, you can earn a world-class education, experience French culture, and build an international career — without worrying about finances. Mark your calendar, prepare your documents, and start applying now!

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