Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2027 for Africans: Eligibility, Benefits, Deadline and How to Apply

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2027 call is open. It funds international students for master’s, engineering and doctoral study in France, starting in autumn 2027. You cannot apply to Campus France directly. A French university or grande école must choose you and submit your file before 6 January 2027.

This guide explains, in plain English, who qualifies, what the scholarship pays, how the nomination process works and how African applicants can get a strong file in front of a French institution in time. All facts come from Campus France’s official Eiffel pages and the 2027 programme regulations, checked on 9 November 2026.

What the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2027 is

The France Excellence Eiffel programme was created by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Its goal is to help French higher education institutions attract top international students and train future decision-makers in the public and private sectors. Campus France, the national agency for international students, runs the programme day to day.

There are two components. The master’s component covers 12, 24 or 36 months, depending on whether you enter the second year of a master’s (M2), the first year (M1) or an engineering programme. The doctoral component covers 12, 18 or 36 months.

The funded study period must start between 1 September and 30 November 2027. The start date cannot be postponed, so a deferred admission usually means losing the award.

Eligible fields of study

The 2027 regulations list seven areas. In sciences and technology:

• Biology and health
• Ecological transition
• Mathematics and digital technology
• Engineering sciences

In humanities and social sciences:

• French history, language and civilisation
• Law and political science
• Economics and management

Your programme must lead to a master’s degree accredited by the French government, a nationally accredited engineering diploma, or a doctorate. Programmes delivered by French institutions abroad are not accepted. Programmes run under an apprenticeship or professional-training contract are also ineligible.

Who can apply for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2027: eligibility in plain English

• Nationality: the programme is for international students. If you hold dual nationality and one of them is French, you are not eligible. Nationals of any African country can be nominated.
• Age: Campus France says the programme targets applicants up to 29 years old at master’s level and up to 35 at PhD level. Ask your host institution for the exact cut-off date it uses.
• Where you study now: for the master’s component, candidates currently studying in France are not eligible. At doctoral level, students currently studying abroad are given priority over those already living in France.
• Other French scholarships: students who already hold a French government scholarship are not eligible. An Eiffel award also cannot be combined with an Erasmus+ scholarship or an Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie scholarship.
• PhD candidates: the 36-month award is only for new candidates starting the first year of a doctorate who are not already studying or enrolled in France. Shorter awards (12 or 18 months) can support candidates already in a joint-supervision or dual-degree doctorate with a partner institution abroad.
• Nomination: you must be admitted to, or under serious consideration by, a French higher education institution that agrees to nominate you.

Campus France’s programme brochure lists three selection criteria: the candidate’s record of excellence, the institution’s reputation abroad and international student policy, and its cooperation with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Seven expert panels, one per field of study, make the final choice.

What the scholarship covers

According to the 2027 regulations, Eiffel scholars receive:

• a monthly allowance of €1,200 at master’s level (rate effective 1 January 2026)
• a monthly allowance of €2,000 at doctoral level (the student information page currently shows €2,100, so confirm the final figure with Campus France)
• international travel to France and back home in the least expensive class, reimbursed on receipts within the limits set by the Ministry
• second-class train or bus travel from the arrival airport to your study city
• temporary health insurance until French national health cover starts, then free supplemental cover
• help finding housing (CROUS student residences or private housing), and access to cultural and leisure outings
• no visa fees, where applicable

Tuition: the Eiffel programme does not pay tuition. However, French government scholarship holders are exempt from tuition for national degrees at public institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education. If you choose a private school or a non-national diploma, you may still face fees. Check this with the institution before you accept a place.

Key dates for the 2027 campaign

• October 2026: call for applications opened to French institutions
• Before 6 January 2027: each institution runs its own internal selection, with its own student deadline
• 6 January 2027: last day for institutions to send applications to Campus France
• From 12 April 2027: results published
• 1 September–30 November 2027: funded study period must begin

How to apply, step by step

1. Choose your programme. Shortlist accredited master’s, engineering or doctoral programmes in one of the seven fields. The Campus France Taught in English catalogue helps if you do not speak French.
2. Contact Campus France in your country. Campus France advises students to speak with its local office (for example, Campus France Nigeria) or the cultural section of the French Embassy for guidance on study plans.
3. Find each institution’s Eiffel procedure. Contact the international relations office of every school you target. Ask for its internal Eiffel deadline, the forms it uses and whether you must first be admitted to the programme.
4. Apply for admission. Submit your programme application. In many African countries, admission to French institutions and the student visa go through Campus France’s “Études en France” platform, so check with your local office.
5. Prepare the Eiffel file. Gather the documents the institution requests (see below) and write a clear study and career plan.
6. Get nominated. If the institution supports you, it submits your file online on Campus France’s dedicated platform. Applications sent by students or foreign institutions are declared ineligible.
7. Wait for results. Results are published from 12 April 2027. If selected, confirm your place, follow Campus France’s instructions and plan to arrive for the autumn 2027 start.

Required documents

Campus France does not publish one student checklist, because each institution builds the file. Follow your institution’s list. Expect to be asked for items such as:

• a valid passport or national ID showing your nationality and date of birth
• a detailed CV
• a motivation letter and a study plan explaining your project and career goals
• transcripts and degree certificates, with certified translations into French or English if needed
• recommendation letters from lecturers or employers
• language test results (French or English, depending on the programme)
• for PhD candidates: a research proposal and, where relevant, the joint-supervision or dual-degree agreement details

Tips and common mistakes

• Do not wait for January. 6 January 2027 is the deadline for institutions, not for you. Each school’s internal deadline comes earlier, sometimes by several weeks, so ask for it now.
• Apply through more than one institution. Each school nominates only a limited number of candidates. Applying to two or three programmes improves your chances, as long as each plan is tailored.
• Connect your plan to development back home. The programme aims to train future decision-makers. Explain how your degree links to a concrete career goal in your country or region.
• Budget for tuition and arrival costs. Tuition is not covered at private schools, and airfare is reimbursed on receipts. Plan for upfront costs, including your first weeks of rent.
• Check the field. Programmes outside the seven areas, or under apprenticeship contracts, are rejected, however strong the candidate.
• Watch your age and status. Applicants over the age limits, French dual nationals and students already holding a French government scholarship are screened out.
• Use certified translations. Unclear or untranslated transcripts slow down an institution’s internal review.

FAQs

Can I apply for the Eiffel scholarship myself?
No. Only French higher education institutions can submit applications. You apply to the institution, and it decides whether to nominate you.

Is the Eiffel scholarship fully funded?
It covers a monthly allowance, travel, insurance and support services, but not tuition. At public institutions, scholarship holders are usually exempt from tuition for national degrees, which can make it close to fully funded.

Do I need to speak French?
Not always. Many programmes are taught in English. You must meet the language requirement of the programme you choose.

Can Nigerians, Ghanaians, Kenyans and other Africans apply?
Yes. The programme is open to international students. Campus France has offices in many African countries that can advise you.

When will 2027 results be out?
Campus France says results will be published from 12 April 2027.

Can I combine Eiffel with Erasmus Mundus or another French award?
No. It cannot be combined with another French government scholarship, an Erasmus+ scholarship or an AUF scholarship.

Related opportunities on OpportunityHanger

• Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at Sciences Po 2027
• DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2027–2028 for Africans
• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 for Africans
• VLIRUOS Scholarship 2027–2028 for Africans
• Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2027–2028 for Africans

Official sources

• Campus France: France Excellence Eiffel scholarship program (2027 call and timeline)
• Campus France: information for students
• Eiffel programme regulations, 2027 session (PDF)

Disclaimer: OpportunityHanger is not Campus France, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs or any French institution. We do not charge fees, and we do not process applications. Rules and deadlines can change, so always confirm details on the official pages and with your chosen institution before you apply.