Last updated: August 2026
If you’re an EU national dreaming of a fully funded Master’s degree in France, the France Excellence Europa scholarship is one of the most generous options on the table. Created by France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and run through Campus France, it pays a monthly-equivalent stipend, waives tuition at public institutions, and covers your installation costs — all so top European students can study at a French university without the usual financial barriers.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know: who qualifies, what the scholarship actually pays for, the documents you’ll need, and how to make sure you don’t miss the next application window.
What Is the France Excellence Europa Scholarship?
France Excellence Europa is a merit-based scholarship program open to nationals of 26 European Union member states who want to pursue a Master’s degree (M1 or M2) at a French higher education institution. It’s part of France’s broader strategy to strengthen academic ties with its EU neighbors and attract high-performing students to French universities.
Unlike loan-based financial aid, this is a genuine scholarship — you don’t pay it back. Selection is based on academic excellence and alignment with the ministry’s strategic priorities, and awards are limited, so competition is real.
Am I Eligible for France Excellence Europa?
Before you start gathering documents, check that you meet all of the following criteria:
- Nationality: You must hold citizenship of one of the 26 eligible EU member states — Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. French nationals — including dual nationals — are not eligible.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old when your mobility period in France begins. There’s no upper age limit, as long as you don’t already hold a Master’s degree from any country.
- Admission status: You must already be admitted (or in the process of being admitted) to a French institution for a Master’s 1 or Master’s 2 program.
- No prior French degree: You cannot already hold a French higher education qualification, and you cannot be currently enrolled in a French degree program.
- No overlapping funding: You must not already be receiving an Erasmus+, AUF (Agence universitaire de la Francophonie), or other French ministry scholarship.
Which Fields of Study Are Covered?
The scholarship prioritizes the following disciplines:
- Culture and heritage
- Education and pedagogy
- French language, civilization, foreign languages, and European studies
- Law and political science
- Health
- Environmental sciences
- Computer science and digital technology
If your intended Master’s program falls outside these fields, it’s worth double-checking directly with Campus France or your national embassy before applying, since eligible fields can shift slightly between cycles.
How Much Does the Scholarship Pay?
This is where France Excellence Europa stands out from many other study-abroad grants. Recipients get:
- A half-yearly living allowance of €6,850
- A one-time installation allowance of €1,700 to help cover setup costs when you first arrive
- Full exemption from registration fees at public universities and institutions supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education
- Priority placement support for CROUS student housing (you still pay the rent, but you get help securing a room)
- Temporary health insurance for your first three months in France, while your registration with the French social security system is processed (for those without a European Health Insurance Card)
- Supplementary health insurance on top of that
- Exemption from the CVEC (the mandatory student and campus life contribution) — though you’ll still need to create an account on the official student services portal to claim the exemption certificate
- Discounts on cultural activities organized through Campus France
What it doesn’t cover: course/tuition fees at private institutions, and international or domestic transportation costs. Budget for flights and any private-school fees separately.
How Long Does the Scholarship Last?
- Up to 12 months if you’re entering directly into Master’s 2 (M2)
- Up to 24 months if you’re starting from Master’s 1 (M1)
Required Documents
Applications are typically built around this document set (exact requirements are confirmed each cycle in the official call for applications):
- Completed and signed France Excellence Europa application form
- CV, in French or English
- Cover letter, in French or English
- Copy of your most recent higher education diploma, or your secondary school diploma if you’re still studying (translated into French or English)
- Transcripts from your last two years of study (translated)
- Copy of a valid ID document (passport or national ID card)
- Letter of admission to a Master’s program at a French institution — or, if you haven’t received one yet, a signed sworn statement naming the institution and program, plus evidence that your application is being processed
Optional but recommended: language certificates (DELF, DALF, TCF, TEF for French; TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS for English) and letters of recommendation. These won’t disqualify you if missing, but they strengthen a competitive application.
How to Apply
- Secure (or apply for) admission to a Master’s 1 or Master’s 2 program at a French institution first — this is a prerequisite, not an afterthought.
- Gather the required documents listed above.
- Submit your complete application electronically to the French Embassy in your country of nationality — not the country where you currently live, if different. Each country has a dedicated email address for submissions, published on the official Campus France call for applications.
- Track your application through the selection stages: embassy pre-selection, followed by review from a selection committee representing specialists in your field, coordinated by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
When Does the 2026 Cycle Open?
Here’s the honest, up-to-date picture: as of this writing, Campus France’s official France Excellence Europa page still reflects the 2025 cycle, which closed on 30 April 2025 for admission to the 2025‑26 academic year. The 2026 call for applications had not yet been formally published with confirmed dates at the time this guide was last checked.
Based on the program’s usual yearly rhythm, applications tend to open in the first quarter of the year and close around late April, with results announced in May and a final admitted list confirmed by July. If that pattern holds, expect the 2026 window to follow a similar shape — but don’t rely on projected dates. Bookmark the official Campus France program page and check it directly before you start assembling documents, since submitting to the wrong cycle (or missing a shortened window) is one of the most common — and avoidable — mistakes applicants make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is France Excellence Europa only for EU citizens? Yes. It’s restricted to nationals of the 26 listed EU member states. French nationals, including dual citizens, are excluded.
Can I apply if I haven’t been admitted to a French university yet? You need to be in the admission process at minimum. If you don’t yet have a formal letter of admission, you can submit a sworn statement instead, but you’ll need to provide the actual admission letter as soon as you receive it.
Does the scholarship cover private university tuition? No. It exempts you from registration fees at public institutions supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education. Tuition at private schools is your responsibility.
How competitive is the selection process? Selection is merit-based and awards are limited, with pre-selection handled by embassies and final decisions made by field specialists at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. A strong academic record, a focused cover letter, and (where relevant) language certification meaningfully improve your odds.
Where do I send my application? To the French Embassy in your country of nationality, using the dedicated email address for the France Excellence Europa program in that country — available on the official call for applications.
This guide is based on publicly available information from Campus France. Scholarship terms, eligible fields, and deadlines can change between cycles — always confirm current details on the official Campus France website before applying.
