Scholarship Callings for 2026–27: A Complete Guide to Studying in France

France offers a wide range of scholarships to international students, including both government- and university-backed scholarships. Every scholarship comes with its own eligibility criteria, funding levels, and application process. The best-known government scholarships are the Eiffel and Charpak. However, the EU- funded and university-specific scholarships cater to a much wider range of students and fields.

The most important thing that’s stopping students from availing these scholarships is a lack of initiative. They quietly assume that these scholarships are not for them and are only for those who are ‘financially struggling’. Ananya also thought the same until she learned that they are purely based on merit. Guess what? She is now in Lyon finishing her first year, fully funded. This would never have been possible if she had not applied.

What Does the Eiffel Scholarship Actually Cover?

Eiffel provides ₹1.31 lakh to Master’s students for 12- 36 months. For PhD scholars, it’s like ₹2.29 lakh per month. To apply for the scholarship, the candidate must be a non-French national under 29 for a Master’s and under 35 for a PhD; they can’t hold dual French nationality. The main fields covered under this scholarship are: biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital, engineering, French studies, law and political science, and economics and management. Your university will nominate you, so the real deadline is your institution’s internal cutoff, usually in October or November.

What Does the Charpak Scholarship Offer Indian Students?

There are four sub-programs under Charpak: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Exchange, and Research Internship. The Master’s program offers a monthly stipend, tuition support, health insurance, and visa fee reimbursement. To apply for a Bachelor's, applicants must be 23 or younger. Across all the categories, only around 50-100 students are selected, so a well-prepared application is crucial for selection.

What Does Erasmus Mundus Offer Students Who Want to Study Across Europe?

Joint Master’s degrees under Erasmus Mundus are funded by the European Commission, not the French government. However, most of the consortium universities are hosted by France, which makes it a hub.

Selected students get to study in more than one country, often starting in France. They receive up to 1.53 lakh a month plus tuition, travel, and insurance. Each program has its own criteria and deadline, so make sure to check it thoroughly.

What Do University-Specific Scholarships Look Like?

France offers not only government and EU- funded scholarships but also individual universities- specific scholarships. For Example, Université Paris-Saclay provides a Master’s scholarship worth ₹10.9 lakh, with up to ₹ 1 lakh in travel support, for students under 30.

Sciences Po's Émile Boutmy Scholarship operates similarly for non-EU candidates and covers partial to full tuition, depending on the profile.

Scholarship Comparison 

Scholarship program	Who Can Apply	Funding	Application Window
Eiffel Excellence (Master's/PhD)	Any nationality (non-French), under 29/35	Approx. ₹1.31–2.29 lakh+ travel & insurance	Oct-Nov
Charpak (Master's/Bachelor's)	Indian citizens / OCI holders	Stipend + tuition support	Jan-March
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's	Any nationality, any field	Up to ₹1.53 lakh+ tuition & travel	Oct-Feb (varies by programme)
Université Paris-Saclay Master's	Any nationality, under 30	₹10.9 lakh /year + up to ₹1.09 lakh travel	Typically Jan-March

Bottom Line

The 2026-27 window for most of these scholarships is already closed. Eiffel’s results came out around March 2026 and Charpak’s around May 2026; so now the real opportunity is the 2027-28 cycle, which will open around October 2026. Buckle up and shortlist your target universities as soon as possible. If Charpak fits you well, go for it; start strengthening your Statement of Purpose and confirm your Campus France India registration before January. Well, don’t stop at only the best-known ones; try for university-specific scholarships as well, as they have less competition and a similar amount of funding.

If you want assistance in the process so that you’re on the right track, our new initiative, IvyNurture, would help you build a holistic profile and chase your dream university in a much stronger way.

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Can international students apply for more than one scholarship in France?

Yes. In many cases, students can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each. However, some scholarships cannot be combined if they offer overlapping financial support, so applicants should carefully review the terms and conditions before accepting an award.

What documents are commonly required for scholarships in France?

Although requirements vary by scholarship, applicants are generally asked to submit academic transcripts, a Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), a résumé or CV, proof of admission (or application), passport details, and, where applicable, proof of language proficiency such as IELTS, TOEFL, or French-language certifications.

Do I need to know French to receive a scholarship in France?

Not necessarily. Many scholarships support English-taught master's and doctoral programs, so French language proficiency is not always required. However, learning basic French can improve daily life, internship opportunities, and employability after graduation.