The France Excellence Eiffel programme is run by Campus France for the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The 2027 call is open. The single most important point: you cannot apply to Eiffel yourself. A French university, grande école or engineering school selects you and sends your file. Campus France declares applications sent directly by students ineligible.
What it pays: a monthly allowance of EUR 1,200 at master’s level (rate from January 2026). For doctoral candidates Campus France publishes two figures, EUR 2,100 on the programme page and EUR 2,000 in the 2027 rules and on the implementation page, so confirm the rate with your host institution. The award also includes international airfare, domestic travel support, insurance, help finding housing and cultural activities. The programme does not pay tuition, but holders of a French government scholarship are exempt from tuition at public institutions for national diplomas.
Who can apply: applicants from foreign countries up to age 29 for a master’s and up to 35 for a PhD. No nationality list is published, so applicants from the GCC and the Arab world are not excluded. Master’s awards cover accredited master’s and engineering programmes; doctoral awards are for co-supervised or dual-degree PhDs. Seven fields qualify: biology and health; ecological transition; mathematics and digital sciences; engineering sciences; history, French language and civilisation; law and political science; economics and management.
When to apply: Campus France must receive the institution’s file by 6 January 2027 (included). Your institution’s internal deadline comes earlier, so ask the programme now.
What to prepare:
1. An application to a French programme in one of the seven fields.
2. A request to the programme or international office to nominate you.
3. The documents the institution asks for by its own internal date.
Timeline: call opened October 2026; files reach Campus France by 6 January 2027; results from 12 April 2027; studies start between 1 September and 30 November 2027, and the start date cannot be postponed.
Practical notes for applicants from our region: the decision rests first with the French institution, so your conversation with the programme matters more than any form. Master’s awards last up to 12 months for an M2, 24 months for an M1 and 36 months for an engineering degree.
Our advice: email the programme coordinator this month and ask in one line whether they nominate for Eiffel and by what date.