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The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is France’s most prestigious government scholarship for international students — and it is fully open to Indian students. It covers tuition, living allowance, accommodation, and travel. Here is the complete 2026 guide for Indian applicants.
What Is the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (Programme des Bourses d’Excellence Eiffel) is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It is awarded to outstanding international students from targeted countries — India is on the priority list for engineering, economics, and management programs.
Eiffel Scholarship Benefits 2026
| Benefit | Master’s Level | PhD Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly allowance | €1,181/month | €1,400/month |
| Duration | 1–3 years (program length) | Up to 3 years |
| Round-trip flight | Covered (from India) | Covered |
| Health insurance | French social security covered | Covered |
| Cultural activities | Allowance for cultural events | Included |
| Accommodation assistance | Priority placement assistance | Included |
Who Can Apply — Eligibility for Indian Students
| Criterion | Master’s Level | PhD Level |
|---|---|---|
| Age limit | 30 years or under | 35 years or under |
| Degree | Bachelor’s (min 3 years) | Master’s degree |
| Academic excellence | Top 15–20% of class | Published research preferred |
| Language | French B2 OR English C1+ | French/English as per program |
| Who applies? | French university on your behalf | French university on your behalf |
Important: You cannot apply directly to the Eiffel Scholarship. A French university must nominate you. So apply to multiple French universities and ask each to nominate you for Eiffel.
Fields Prioritised for Indian Students Under Eiffel 2026
- Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science, Aerospace
- Economics and Management: Business Administration, International Finance, Public Policy
- Political Science and Law: International Relations, European Studies
- Note: Medicine, literature, and arts are not funded under Eiffel
Top French Universities That Nominate Students for Eiffel
- Sciences Po Paris — strong for political science and economics nominees
- Écoles Centrale (Paris, Lyon, Nantes) — engineering nominees
- Université Paris-Saclay — science and engineering
- École des Ponts ParisTech — civil and environmental engineering
- INSA Lyon — engineering, nominated many Indian students historically
- Grenoble INP — engineering and technology
Read: Study in France Complete Guide → | Charpak Scholarship Guide →
Eiffel Scholarship Timeline — Key Dates 2026
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Apply to French universities | September–November 2025 |
| University nominates you for Eiffel | November–January 2026 |
| Eiffel nomination deadline (universities submit) | Mid-January 2026 |
| Results announced | April 2026 |
| Scholarship start | September/October 2026 intake |
How much is the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship for Indian master’s students?
The Eiffel Scholarship provides €1,181 per month for master’s level students, plus a round-trip flight from India, health insurance, accommodation assistance, and a cultural activities allowance. The total value is approximately €15,000–18,000 per year.
Can Indian students apply directly for the Eiffel Scholarship?
No. Individual students cannot apply directly. A French university must nominate you. To be nominated, you must first apply to and be accepted by a participating French university, then request a nomination for Eiffel. Kadamb helps Indian students identify universities most likely to nominate them.
What GPA is needed for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?
The Eiffel Scholarship requires academic excellence — typically the top 15–20% of your class. For Indian students, this generally means 80%+ aggregate or 8.0+/10 CGPA. Strong SOPs, extracurriculars, and a clear research or career focus significantly improve nomination chances.
What is the deadline for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2026?
French universities must submit nominations to Campus France by mid-January each year. Indian students should apply to French universities by October–November 2025 to allow time for the university to evaluate and nominate them. Results are typically announced in April.
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Saumitra Rajput
Saumitra Rajput is the founder and lead counsellor at Kadamb Overseas, India's trusted Europe education consultancy based in Ahmedabad. With 14+ years of hands-on experience, he has personally guided 500+ students to universities across Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, and Spain. Saumitra has visited partner universities across Europe, holds deep expertise in European visa processes, scholarships, and student life, and has achieved a 97% visa success rate for his clients. He is the host of the YouTube channel "Europe with Saumitra", where he shares first-hand insights on studying and living in Europe. His mission: make Europe accessible to every Indian student, with zero consultancy fees.
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