The French government has opened applications for the 2027 France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship.
The programme targets international students, including Kenyans, who want to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at higher education institutions in France.
Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend of €1,200 (approximately Sh180,000) for master’s students and €2,000 (about Sh300,000) for doctoral candidates, along with additional financial and logistical support.
According to Campus France, the agency responsible for administering the programme, the 2027 application round began on October 2, 2026.
French universities and other eligible higher education institutions have until January 6, 2027, to submit nominations.
Prospective applicants have been advised to consult their preferred institutions early, as individual universities may impose earlier deadlines for admission and scholarship consideration.
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The Eiffel Scholarship programme aims to attract high-achieving international students to French universities and develop future leaders capable of contributing to the public and private sectors in their home countries and internationally.
Benefits and Duration of the Scholarship
Successful candidates receive a monthly allowance based on their level of study, in addition to travel assistance and other support intended to ease the cost of studying in France.
The benefits include international air travel in the lowest available fare class, eligible domestic transportation expenses, and temporary medical insurance while beneficiaries await enrolment in France’s national health insurance system.
Recipients may also qualify for supplementary medical coverage, subject to the programme’s conditions.
The period of financial support varies according to the degree programme and the student’s stage of study.
Master’s candidates entering the first year may receive funding for up to 24 months, while those beginning the second year may qualify for up to 12 months. Eligible engineering programmes attract support for up to 36 months.
At doctoral level, funding is available for 12, 18 or 36 months, depending on the candidate’s circumstances and the programme requirements. The 36-month award is reserved for eligible doctoral students starting their first year.
Scholarships are tied to the 2027 academic-year cycle, with recipients required to begin their studies between September 1 and November 30, 2027. The programme does not permit beneficiaries to defer the start of their funded studies.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
The scholarship is open to foreign nationals seeking postgraduate education in France at master’s or doctoral level.
Applicants must be nominated by an eligible French higher education institution, as direct applications to Campus France are not accepted. Nominations submitted by institutions outside France are also ineligible.
Kenyans interested in the programme are encouraged to identify a suitable French university and contact its international relations office or the department responsible for their intended course.
The institution will provide details on admission procedures, internal deadlines and the requirements for scholarship nomination.
Additionally, applicants must be no older than 29 for master’s-level awards and 35 for doctoral scholarships.
The programme covers selected disciplines across science and technology, as well as humanities and social sciences.
Eligible fields include biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital technology, engineering sciences, French history, language and civilisation, law and political science, and economics and management.
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