Scholarships in France for Indian Students 2026: Full List
- Last Updated on: May 14, 2026 by
- Sridhar Kongara
Indian student enrolment in France hit a record level in 2024-25. According to Campus France’s 2024-2025 report, India is now the 11th country of origin with 9,100 students, a 17% jump year-on-year, and France targets 30,000 Indian students by 2030. That growth is funded by an expanding mix of scholarships to study in France for Indian students covering tuition, stipends, and visa fees. This 2026 guide walks you through every major route, INR values, document checklists, deadlines, and the decision framework that tells you which award fits your profile.
2026 deadline status (as of 11 May 2026):Many major France scholarship deadlines for the September 2026 intake have now closed, including Charpak Master and Paris-Saclay IDEX. Use this guide to check late or private options for 2026 and to prepare early for the 2027 intake.
| Scholarship | 2026 status | Next likely cycle | Action now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charpak Master | Closed | Jan-Mar 2027 | Build profile; line up admission first |
| Charpak Bachelor | Not open for 2026 | To be announced | Plan UG via Sciences Po or public uni |
| Eiffel Master / PhD | Closed (deadline 8 Jan) | Oct 2026-Jan 2027 | Ask uni now about 2027 nomination |
| Erasmus Mundus | Most consortia closed | Oct 2026-Feb 2027 | Shortlist consortia early |
| Sciences Po Émile Boutmy | Closed for 2026 Master | Oct-Nov 2026 | Begin admission file for 2027 |
| Paris-Saclay IDEX | Closed | Q1 2027 | Track Paris-Saclay 2027 call |
| Raman-Charpak | Annual (CEFIPRA) | Q1 2027 | Secure French lab supervisor |
FX rate disclosure: All INR conversions use the European Central Bank reference rate as of 8 May 2026: €1 ≈ ₹111.13. Rates fluctuate; recheck before submitting proof-of-funds documents.
Key Takeaways
- Indian student enrolments in France crossed 9,100 in 2024-25, up 17% year-on-year, and France is targeting 30,000 by 2030 (Campus France).
- France Excellence Charpak Master pays €860/month (≈₹95,571) plus visa and Campus France fee waivers, health insurance, and CROUS housing support.
- France Excellence Eiffel pays €1,200/month for Master’s and €2,100/month for PhD from January 2026, but does not cover tuition.
- The Raman-Charpak Fellowship gives Indian PhD students €1,500/month plus return economy airfare and seminar support of up to €500.
- Sciences Po’s Émile Boutmy Scholarship can cover up to €18,500/year of Master’s tuition for non-EU students.
- From 1 July 2026, non-EU/EEA/Swiss students will need a higher-education social-criteria scholarship to apply for French housing aid (APL, ALF, ALS); the implementing decree is still pending, so verify final eligibility with CAF before budgeting.
Best scholarships in France for Indian students at a glance
Indian students applying to study in France in 2026 can access 10+ official scholarship routes. France Excellence Charpak and Eiffel are the largest government-funded options; Sciences Po, HEC Paris, Erasmus Mundus, and the Franco-Indian Education Trust round out the mix, per Campus France India's 2026 directory.
Cheat-sheet of every major award:
| Scholarship | Best for | Level | Headline benefit (2026) | Fully funded? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France Excellence Charpak Master | Indian Master’s applicants | Master’s | €860/mo (≈₹95,571) + visa & Campus France fee waiver + insurance | Partial (tuition exemption possible) |
| France Excellence Charpak Bachelor (2026 session not open) | Indian UG applicants | Bachelor’s | €860/mo + fee waivers (verify next session) | Partial |
| Charpak Summer Training | Short research/internship | UG/PG | €700/mo (≈₹77,790) for up to 2 months | Partial |
| Charpak Exchange | Semester exchange | UG/PG | €860/mo + visa & Campus France fee waiver | Partial |
| France Excellence Eiffel | High-achieving Master’s/PhD | Master’s/PhD | €1,200/mo Master, €2,100/mo PhD from Jan 2026 | Partial (no tuition) |
| Raman-Charpak Fellowship | PhD research mobility | PhD | €1,500/mo + return airfare + seminar support | Yes (mobility only) |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Multi-country Master’s | Master’s | Tuition + travel + living up to €1,400/mo | Yes |
| Legrand Empowering Scholarship | Low-income / armed-forces background | Master’s | ₹59,500/mo + visa fee waiver | Partial |
| Amba Dalmia Scholarship | Indian women in arts & culture | Specialised study | Monthly living allowance + fee waivers | Partial |
| Sciences Po Émile Boutmy | Non-EU UG/Master applicants | UG/Master | Up to €18,500/yr Master tuition exemption | Tuition only |
| University awards (HEC, EDHEC, Paris-Saclay, Rennes) | Merit-based applicants | UG/PG/MBA | Tuition grants from €1,000 to €49,500 | Partial |
Sources: Campus France, Sciences Po, HEC Paris, European Commission (2026).
Best scholarships by student profile
| Student profile | Best scholarship options |
|---|---|
| Indian Bachelor’s applicant | Charpak Bachelor (verify session), Sciences Po Émile Boutmy |
| Indian Master’s applicant | Charpak Master, Eiffel, Erasmus Mundus, Paris-Saclay IDEX |
| Engineering / STEM applicant | Eiffel, Raman-Charpak, Paris-Saclay, Erasmus Mundus |
| Business / MBA applicant | HEC, INSEAD, EDHEC, Grenoble Ecole de Management awards |
| SC/ST/OBC/EWS or state-supported applicant | National Overseas Scholarship, state overseas schemes |
| Deadline missed for 2026 | University tuition waivers, education loans, assistantships, 2027 intake prep |
Types of scholarships available in France for Indian students
Scholarships in France for Indian students fall into five categories: French government awards (Charpak, Eiffel, MOPGA, Raman-Charpak), Franco-Indian co-financed schemes, university bourses d'excellence (excellence scholarships), Erasmus+ programmes, and women-specific awards, per the Campus France India directory (2026).
Each category has its own application route. Knowing which one applies saves you from the most common rejection.
- French government scholarships – run by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE, France’s foreign affairs ministry) and the Embassy of France in India. Charpak (UG/PG/Summer/Exchange), Eiffel (Master/PhD), MOPGA (climate research), Raman-Charpak (PhD mobility).
- Embassy and Franco-Indian co-financed scholarships – the French Embassy in India, with French companies and institutions, awards scholarships to 500+ Indian students each year; some are routed through the Franco-Indian Education Trust with sponsors like Legrand and Thales (Campus France India).
- University-specific scholarships – public universities and Grandes Écoles (France’s elite higher education institutions) run their own bourses d’excellence (excellence scholarships). Sciences Po, HEC Paris, EDHEC, INSEAD, Paris-Saclay, Rennes, ISAE-SUPAERO.
- EU-funded scholarships – Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters covers multi-country Master’s programmes often including a French institution. Funded by the European Commission, not the French state.
- Women-specific scholarships – targeted awards for Indian women in arts, science, business, and technology (Amba Dalmia, L’Oréal-UNESCO, HEC Women’s High Potential, INSEAD Forté).
France Excellence Charpak Scholarship: Bachelor, Master, Summer, Exchange
The France Excellence Charpak Scholarship is the French government's flagship funding for Indian students, run by the Embassy of France in India through Campus France. Per Campus France India (2026), it has four tracks (Bachelor, Master, Summer, Exchange) with stipends from €700-€860/month plus visa and Campus France fee waivers.
Charpak is the starting line for first-time applicants chasing government scholarships.
€860
Charpak Master monthly stipend Campus France India, 2026
≈₹95,571
INR equivalent / month ECB rate, 8 May 2026
€700
Charpak Summer stipend Campus France India, 2026
2
Years renewable (Master) Campus France India, 2026
Charpak Master Scholarship
For Indian Master’s applicants up to 30, admitted to a full-time Master’s at a French institution. Per Campus France India (2026): €860/month, visa fee exemption, Campus France fee exemption, social security, health insurance, CROUS (state student welfare) accommodation support subject to availability, and €1 university restaurant meals. Renewable once.
Charpak Bachelor Scholarship
For Indian UG applicants aged 23 or under, admitted to a full-time Bachelor’s in France. Same benefits as the Master track. Caveat: Campus France lists Charpak as multi-track, but the Bachelor session may not run every year – the 2026 page states applications will not be accepted, so verify the active call.
Charpak Summer Training
For short research or lab internships May-July. Requires an invitation from a French lab. Stipend: €700/month (≈₹77,790) for up to two months, plus visa and Campus France fee waivers.
Charpak Exchange
Twice yearly (Autumn and Spring). For UG/PG students from Indian universities with a French partnership tie-up. €860/month, social security, visa fee waiver, Campus France fee waiver. For a study semester, not a thesis project.
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship: Master’s and PhD funding from the French government
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is run by France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attract top international Master's and PhD students. From January 2026, recipients receive €1,200/month (Master) or €2,100/month (PhD), plus travel, insurance, and cultural support, per Campus France (2026). Tuition not covered.
Eiffel is the most prestigious scholarship for Indian Master’s and PhD applicants. The catch: you cannot submit an Eiffel application yourself. Only French institutions submit Eiffel files.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master’s, engineering, joint PhD |
| Application route | French institution submits the application |
| Direct student application? | No |
| Age guideline | Up to 29 (Master), up to 35 (PhD) |
| Master stipend (Jan 2026) | €1,200/month (≈₹1.33 lakh/mo) |
| PhD stipend (Jan 2026) | €2,100/month (≈₹2.33 lakh/mo) |
| Tuition covered? | No |
| 2026 timeline | Opens 1 Oct 2025; institution submission deadline 8 Jan 2026; results from 30 Mar 2026 |
| Best for | Top academic profiles with strong recommendations |
To win an Eiffel: apply early, get admitted, ask the international office to nominate you. Strong GPA, research output, and a host-aligned SOP are essential.
Raman-Charpak Fellowship and other research scholarships
The Raman-Charpak Fellowship supports Indian and French PhD students doing part of their doctoral research in the partner country. Per Campus France India (2026), Indian fellows receive €1,500/month (≈₹1.67 lakh), one return economy airfare, insurance where required, visa and registration support, plus up to €500 for seminars.
For Indian PhD students wanting a 2-6 month research stint at a French lab, Raman-Charpak is the cleanest route. Run jointly by CEFIPRA, it covers what most PhD awards leave out – especially return airfare.
Pure PhD funding often comes via doctoral contracts (contrat doctoral, a French employment contract paying a stipend to do your PhD). Ask your supervisor before assuming you need a scholarship.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: EU funding that includes France
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are EU-funded Master's programmes run jointly by 3+ European universities, often including a French institution. Per the European Commission (2026), selected students get a full scholarship covering tuition, travel, and a living allowance up to €1,400/month for the programme duration.
Apply directly to the Erasmus Mundus consortium, not through Campus France. Pools are global, success rates low – your application needs a clear academic narrative.
€1,400
Erasmus Mundus monthly allowance (max) European Commission, 2026
24 months
Maximum scholarship duration European Commission, 2026
Full
Tuition + travel + visa coverage European Commission, 2026
University-specific scholarships: Sciences Po, HEC, Paris-Saclay and more
French universities and Grandes Écoles run their own merit and need-based scholarships, often layering on top of government awards. Sciences Po offers tuition exemptions up to €18,500/year for Master's via the Émile Boutmy Scholarship (2026), while Université Paris-Saclay's IDEX scholarship pays €10,000/year to selected Master's students.
If you’re targeting a specific institution, university scholarships are usually your most-winnable option because the applicant pool is smaller than for national awards. The bigger names:
Sciences Po Emile Boutmy Scholarship
For non-EU students whose households don’t file taxes in the EU. Master recipients get €18,500/yr tuition exemption (≈₹20.56 lakh) at Sciences Po; UG applicants can receive partial exemptions up to €14,720/yr. Deadlines align with regular Sciences Po admission.
HEC Paris MBA Scholarships
HEC Paris MBA candidates can win the Excellence Scholarship of up to 50% of tuition – on a €99,000 MBA, up to €49,500 (≈₹55 lakh) off the final instalment. HEC also runs women-focused, social impact, and need-based awards. All admitted candidates are auto-considered for Excellence.
Universite Paris-Saclay IDEX Master’s Scholarship
€10,000/yr (≈₹11.11 lakh), paid over 10 months. Up to €900 extra in travel/visa support for the 2026 call. Apply alongside your Master’s admission.
Other university awards worth shortlisting
- Rennes School of Business – merit scholarships €1,000-€5,000 for international Master’s.
- ISAE-SUPAERO-MBDA – tuition + partial living cover for Indian aerospace engineering applicants.
- EDHEC and INSEAD – Excellence, Women in Business, Indian Student Endowment, and need-based MBA aid.
- ENS Lyon Ampere Excellence – €1,000/month for 12 months for international Master’s.
Scholarships by degree level: UG, Master’s, MBA, PhD
Bachelor's scholarships are limited; Master's awards are the deepest pool; MBA scholarships carry the highest absolute value per recipient; PhD funding usually comes through doctoral contracts or Eiffel/Raman-Charpak. Pairing a low-tuition public-university seat with a partial scholarship is often the most realistic plan, per Campus France's 2025-26 tuition page.
Realistic strategy at each level:
| Degree level | Top scholarships | Realistic strategy |
|---|---|---|
| After 12th (Licence/Bachelor’s) | Charpak Bachelor, Sciences Po Émile Boutmy, institutional UG awards | UG scholarships are fewer; pair with low-tuition public university (€2,895/yr non-EU) |
| Master’s | Charpak Master, Eiffel, Paris-Saclay IDEX, Sciences Po, Rennes, EDHEC, Erasmus Mundus | Apply to 4-6 institutions; chase 2-3 scholarships in parallel |
| MBA | HEC Excellence, INSEAD endowments, EDHEC Women in Business, school-specific merit | Apply early (Round 1) for best scholarship odds; strong GMAT critical |
| PhD & research | Eiffel PhD, Raman-Charpak, MOPGA, doctoral contracts, Marie Curie | Secure supervisor commitment first; lab-funded PhD beats applying cold |
Scholarships for Indian women to study in France
Women-specific scholarships add a parallel funding track for Indian female applicants. The Amba Dalmia Scholarship (Indian women in arts and culture), L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, and business-school awards such as HEC Women's High Potential and INSEAD Forté give female Master's and MBA candidates extra options on top of standard scholarships, per Campus France India (2026).
Layer these on top of the general pool, not instead of it. Most are stackable with Charpak or university tuition grants.
- Amba Dalmia Scholarship – Indian women in music, sports, theatre, cinema, gastronomy, or arts. Living allowance + visa and Campus France fee waivers.
- L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science – PhD and postdoc fellowships in life/physical sciences.
- HEC Paris Women’s High Potential – €5,000-€10,000 for female MBA candidates.
- EDHEC Women in Business / Finance – up to 50% tuition waiver.
- INSEAD Forté Fellowship – up to US$25,000 for women admitted to the INSEAD MBA.
Best scholarship strategy if 2026 deadlines are already closed
If you've missed the 2026 Charpak, Eiffel, or Paris-Saclay window, you still have routes for September 2026: university tuition waivers applied at admission, education loans, paid teaching/research assistantships, and late-cycle private awards. Use the remaining months to lock in admission and build a stronger profile for the 2027 cycle, per the Campus France India directory (2026).
- University tuition waivers at admission – HEC Excellence (50% max), EDHEC Inspire, Rennes School of Business merit awards, ENS Lyon Ampère.
- Education loans – public-university tuition (€2,895-€3,941/yr non-EU) is loan-friendly for Indian banks and NBFCs.
- Indian government overseas schemes – National Overseas Scholarship (SC/ST/EWS) and state overseas schemes from Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, AP, and Maharashtra.
- Plan the 2027 cycle now – Eiffel re-opens 1 Oct 2026; secure admission early so your university can nominate you.
Bookmark Campus Bourses, Campus France’s database of state, regional, and institutional awards – it surfaces niche scholarships missing from headline lists.
How to choose the right scholarship for your profile
Three filters narrow the universe: degree level, application route, and profile strength. The profile table above is the quick view; below are two rules most lists skip.
- Apply to at least three scholarships in parallel. A single-award plan is the fastest route to a missed intake. Pair a direct-application scholarship (Charpak Master) with one institution-nominated route (Eiffel) and one university-specific option.
- Always keep a low-tuition public university backup (Licence €2,895/yr, Master €3,941/yr) so a scholarship miss doesn’t end the dream. Non-EU public-university tuition in France stays 10x cheaper than UK or US.
The 2026 CAF housing aid change every non-EU student should track
From 1 July 2026, non-EU/EEA/Swiss students will need a higher-education social-criteria scholarship to apply for French housing aid such as APL, ALF or ALS, per the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (2026). Service-Public notes the measure still awaits an implementing decree, so verify final eligibility with CAF before budgeting.
APL is paid by the CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales, France’s family-allowance agency). Indian students in private accommodation have historically claimed €100-€280 per month, with Paris drawing the highest payouts. The reform is referenced in Article 179 of the 2026 finance law, with implementation details awaiting a decree.
Without a French social-criteria scholarship, plan to absorb full rent. Charpak and Eiffel awardees should confirm with their university’s CROUS office whether their scholarship qualifies before factoring APL into the cost of studying budget.
What to do now: run two cost scenarios - one with APL, one without. Track Service-Public.gouv.fr for the final implementing decree before your intake.
Documents required for France scholarship applications
Most France scholarship applications require a passport, academic transcripts, an admission or application letter to the host institution, a CV, a tailored SOP or motivation letter, two to three LORs, and a language test score (English or French). PhD and research awards add a research proposal; arts and design awards add a portfolio, per Campus France India's Charpak document checklist (2026).
Here’s the universal document table – tailor it scholarship-by-scholarship rather than treating one set as good for all.
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Passport (valid 6+ months beyond stay) | Identity and visa readiness |
| Academic transcripts (10th, 12th, UG) | Merit evaluation; GPA conversion |
| Admission letter or proof of application | Required for Charpak Master, Eiffel, university awards |
| CV (Europass or academic format) | Academic, work, internship profile |
| SOP / motivation letter + 2-3 LORs | Goals, fit, and credibility |
| Language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL/DELF/DALF) | Programme-language proficiency |
| Portfolio / research proposal | Arts, design, PhD, research awards |
| Financial documents | Need-based awards (Legrand, bursaries) |
How to apply for scholarships in France from India
To apply for scholarships in France from India, first secure or initiate your university admission, then identify whether each scholarship is a direct, institution-nominated, or embassy-managed route. Prepare a tailored SOP, CV, LORs, transcripts, and a language certificate per the official requirements, and submit through the scholarship-specific portal flagged on the Campus France India directory (2026).
- Shortlist programme and university 12-15 months before intake.
- Tag each scholarship by route: direct (Charpak Master), institution-nominated (Eiffel), embassy-managed (Legrand).
- Start the EEF procedure (Études en France, France’s official pre-consular online study application portal) and prepare core documents – SOP, CV, transcripts, LORs, language certificate.
- Apply to your university first where the scholarship requires admission proof, then submit the scholarship application through the correct portal (often scholarship.institutfrancaisindia.in for Charpak).
- Track scholarship deadlines separately and prepare for the interview if shortlisted – Charpak interviews typically run in April.
- Keep backup funding ready for the long-stay student visa proof-of-funds requirement – see our France student visa requirements guide for the document list.
How much can Indian students actually win? INR conversion table
The combined value of scholarships to study in France for Indian students ranges from a €700/month short stipend to a multi-lakh tuition exemption. The most-claimed awards put between €860 (≈₹95,571) and €2,100 (≈₹2.33 lakh) per month into a student's account, plus tuition relief at private institutions, per the consolidated Campus France India directory (2026).
| Award | EUR value | Approx. INR (at ₹111.13/€) |
|---|---|---|
| Charpak Master / Bachelor / Exchange | €860/month | ₹95,571/month |
| Charpak Summer Training | €700/month | ₹77,790/month |
| Eiffel Master | €1,200/month | ₹1.33 lakh/month |
| Eiffel PhD | €2,100/month | ₹2.33 lakh/month |
| Raman-Charpak (Indian fellow) | €1,500/month | ₹1.67 lakh/month |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | €1,400/month | ₹1.56 lakh/month |
| Paris-Saclay IDEX | €10,000/year | ₹11.11 lakh/year |
| Sciences Po Émile Boutmy (Master) | €18,500/year | ₹20.56 lakh/year (tuition) |
| HEC MBA Excellence (max) | up to €49,500 | up to ₹55 lakh (one-off) |
Tips to win a France scholarship and the mistakes that kill applications
We’ve seen non-IIT profiles win Charpak and Eiffel, and 9.5 CGPA candidates get rejected over one SOP mistake. The difference is fit and prep, not GPA.
Tips that improve your odds
- Apply early. Round-1 applicants see scholarship pools full, not depleted.
- Match the scholarship’s purpose – Charpak rewards France-India mobility narratives; Eiffel rewards research excellence and supervisor fit.
- Write a specific SOP for each award. Generic SOPs across multiple scholarships are a rejection signal.
- Show academic consistency. 8.0+ CGPA with no drops beats a 9.0 with an unexplained dip.
- Skip AI-written SOPs. Reviewers spot the patterns and reject for it.
Common mistakes that kill applications
- Applying for Eiffel directly when only institutions can submit.
- Assuming “fully funded” means tuition is always covered.
- Missing the university nomination window because admission was late.
- Requesting LORs two weeks before deadline.
- No backup funds for the visa proof-of-funds requirement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian students get fully funded scholarships in France?
Yes. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters cover tuition, travel, and a stipend up to €1,400/month. Charpak Master adds €860/month plus visa and Campus France fee waivers and possible exemption from differentiated public-university fees, depending on the institution. Eiffel covers stipend and travel for Master’s and PhD students but does not cover tuition.
Can I combine France scholarships?
Some scholarships can be stacked with university fee waivers, others cannot. Paris-Saclay IDEX, for example, cannot be combined with Eiffel, France Excellence Europa, or Erasmus Mundus. Always check the cumulation clause in each scholarship’s terms before counting two awards in your budget.
Does the Eiffel Scholarship cover tuition fees?
No. The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship pays a monthly allowance (€1,200 Master, €2,100 PhD from January 2026), travel, insurance, and cultural services. Tuition is not covered. Indian students at public universities still benefit from low base tuition (€3,941/year for Master non-EU).
Can I apply for the Eiffel Scholarship directly?
No. Only French higher education institutions can submit Eiffel applications to Campus France. Apply for admission first, then request your university’s international office to nominate you. The 2026 institutional deadline was 8 January 2026, with results from 30 March 2026.
Are there scholarships in France after 12th for Indian students?
Yes, but the pool is smaller than for Master’s. The Charpak Bachelor Scholarship (verify current-session status), Sciences Po Émile Boutmy, and institutional UG awards are the main routes. Many Indian families pair a low-tuition public-university seat with a partial scholarship for the most workable budget.
Is IELTS required for scholarships in France?
It depends on the programme language. Many competitive English-taught Master’s and MBA programmes ask for IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 90+. French-taught programmes typically require DELF B2 or DALF C1. Scholarships do not require an additional language test beyond what the host programme demands.
Are there MBA scholarships in France for Indian students?
Yes. HEC Paris MBA Excellence offers up to 50% tuition reduction (up to €49,500 on a €99,000 MBA). INSEAD, EDHEC, and ESSEC run merit, need-based, and women-focused awards. Apply in Round 1 for the strongest odds; top MBA scholarship applicants often hold a GMAT 700+ and 4+ years of work experience.