Scholarships in France for Indian Students: Why You Should Start Now
If you plan to start a Master’s or PhD in France in September 2027, the scholarship season has already begun. Scholarships in France for Indian students range from flagship government awards to EU-funded joint degrees and university fee waivers. France wants to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, and as a result, funding opportunities keep growing every year.
However, the system can feel confusing at first. Each scholarship has its own portal, its own calendar and its own eligibility rules. Moreover, some deadlines arrive months earlier than the dates you see online. This guide breaks down every major option, explains exactly how each one works, and gives you a clear month-by-month plan. For the bigger picture on admissions, read our complete guide on how to study in France as an Indian student.
The Main Scholarships at a Glance
Before diving into the details, here is a quick comparison of the funding options most relevant to Indian students for the 2027 intake. In addition to these headline programmes, many universities run their own schemes, which we cover further below.
| Scholarship | Run by | Level | Monthly amount | 2027 timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charpak Master’s | Embassy of France in India | Master’s | €860 | 2027-28 call not yet published |
| Charpak Exchange | Embassy of France in India | Semester exchange | €860 | Per session (spring / autumn) |
| Charpak Lab | Embassy of France in India | Summer research internship | €700 (max. 2 months) | Summer |
| Eiffel Excellence | French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Campus France) | Master’s / PhD | €1,200 / €2,100 | Universities submit by 6 Jan 2027 |
| Erasmus Mundus | European Union | Joint Master’s | €1,400 + tuition | Mostly Oct 2026 – Jan 2027 |
| Institutional scholarships | Universities and grandes écoles | All levels | Varies (often fee waivers) | Set by each institution |
France Excellence Charpak Scholarship: Designed for Indian Students
The Charpak programme is the French government’s scholarship built specifically for India. The Embassy of France in India runs it through Campus France India, and it includes several tracks: Master’s, Bachelor’s, Exchange and Lab. For most postgraduate applicants, the Charpak Master’s scholarship is the one to target.
What the Charpak Master’s Scholarship Covers
- A monthly stipend of €860 for one to two years of Master’s studies
- A fee waiver for your French student visa and the Campus France (Études en France) procedure
- French social security coverage
- Help finding affordable student accommodation, subject to availability
Keep in mind that Charpak does not pay tuition fees. Therefore, you still need to budget for them, although public university fees in France remain far lower than in the UK or the USA. Our cost comparison of France, the UK and the USA shows the real numbers.
Who Can Apply for Charpak
- Indian nationals residing in India (some tracks also accept OCI card holders — check the current call)
- Students who have already applied for admission to a full-time Master’s programme in France
- Applicants from every field of study — engineering, management, sciences, humanities, design and more
- Students who do not hold another French government scholarship, an Erasmus or Erasmus Mundus grant, or an AUF scholarship
Charpak Exchange and Charpak Lab
If you are still studying in India, two shorter Charpak tracks may suit you better. The Charpak Exchange scholarship funds a semester in France under a partnership between your Indian institution and a French one, with the same €860 monthly stipend. Meanwhile, Charpak Lab supports research internships in French laboratories during the summer break, with €700 per month for up to two months. Note that Charpak Lab does not cover travel, insurance or accommodation.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2027: The Most Prestigious Option
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs funds the Eiffel programme, and Campus France manages it. It targets top international students at Master’s and PhD level, and Indian students compete alongside applicants from every country. The 2027 session officially opened on 2 October 2026, so the clock is already ticking.
What Eiffel Offers
- €1,200 per month for Master’s students
- €2,100 per month for PhD students, according to the 2027 call
- International return travel and national transport for your studies
- Health insurance, help with housing searches and access to cultural activities
Like Charpak, Eiffel does not cover tuition fees. Nevertheless, its stipend is generous enough to cover most living costs outside Paris, and some institutions reduce fees for their Eiffel laureates.
How the Eiffel Nomination Works
Here is the part that surprises most Indian applicants: you cannot apply for Eiffel yourself. Instead, you apply to a French university or grande école, which preselects its strongest candidates and submits their files to Campus France. Institutions must submit their nominees by 6 January 2027, and Campus France expects to announce results during the week of 12 April 2027. You can read the full rules on the official Eiffel programme page.
Eligibility rules also matter. Master’s candidates generally need to be 29 or younger, you must be applying to Eiffel for the first time, and you cannot combine Eiffel with another French government scholarship such as Charpak. The programme covers sciences and engineering as well as humanities and social sciences, including law, economics and management.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: Study in France and Beyond
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are EU-funded programmes run by a consortium of at least three universities in different countries. Many of them include a French partner, so you can spend one or two semesters in France while also studying elsewhere in Europe. For many Indian students, this is the closest thing to a fully funded Master’s in Europe.
The best-ranked applicants receive €1,400 per month for up to 24 months, and the consortium waives tuition and participation costs. Furthermore, there is no single application portal: you apply directly to each programme, and most deadlines for 2027 fall between October 2026 and January 2027. Browse the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and filter for programmes with a French partner institution.
Other Scholarships in France for Indian Students
Beyond the big three, several other funding routes deserve your attention. Although they are less famous, they often face less competition.
University and Grande École Scholarships
Many French universities and grandes écoles offer their own excellence scholarships or tuition reductions for international students. Business and engineering schools in particular run merit-based awards, and some automatically consider you during admission. Always ask the admissions team which scholarships exist and whether they require a separate application. Our list of top French universities for Indian engineering students is a good place to start your shortlist.
Franco-Indian Education Trust and Company-Sponsored Awards
The Franco-Indian Education Trust co-finances scholarships with French companies such as Legrand and with Indian organisations. These awards often target specific subjects, so check the Campus France India scholarship directory for the current list.
Raman-Charpak Fellowship for PhD Researchers
If you are registered for a PhD in India, the Raman-Charpak Fellowship lets you carry out part of your research in a French university or research institute. It suits doctoral students who want international research experience without enrolling in a full French degree.
How to Apply for Scholarships in France: Step-by-Step Plan
Because each scholarship follows its own calendar, a clear plan makes all the difference. Follow these steps to maximise your chances for the September 2027 intake.
Step 1 — Shortlist programmes (October–November 2026)
Use the Campus France catalogue to find programmes that match your profile. For each one, note whether the institution takes part in Eiffel and its internal nomination deadline.
Step 2 — Prepare your core documents
Gather your Class XII and Bachelor’s mark sheets, a CV, a tailored statement of purpose, two recommendation letters, an English test score (IELTS or TOEFL) and a valid passport.
Step 3 — Apply for admission
Apply through the Études en France platform on Campus France India or directly on the institution’s portal, depending on the programme. Almost every scholarship requires an application in progress or an admission letter.
Step 4 — Submit Eiffel and Erasmus Mundus applications
Request your Eiffel nomination before your university’s internal deadline, and submit Erasmus Mundus applications directly to each consortium before January 2027.
Step 5 — Apply for Charpak when the call opens
Watch the Campus France India website and submit your Charpak application on the Institut Français scholarship portal as soon as the 2027-28 call is published.
Step 6 — Interviews, results and visa
Prepare for possible online interviews. Eiffel results are expected in mid-April 2027. Once you hold an admission letter and a scholarship confirmation, start your student visa application.
Once you receive your results, our France visa document checklist will help you prepare a complete visa file without last-minute stress.
Tips to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application
Selection committees read thousands of files, so a generic application rarely stands out. First, tailor your statement of purpose to each programme: name specific modules, professors or research labs, and explain why France fits your career plan. Second, show a coherent project that links your Indian background to your future goals.
In addition, choose referees who know your work well rather than the most senior names. Finally, apply to several schemes in parallel, but remember the non-cumulation rules: if you win two French government scholarships, you will have to choose one. As a result, a smart portfolio usually combines one government scholarship, one Erasmus Mundus programme and the institutional awards of your target schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts: Your Scholarship Starts with Early Action
Scholarships in France for Indian students are generous, varied and more accessible than many people think. However, the best opportunities go to students who start early, track internal deadlines and apply to several schemes in parallel. Shortlist your programmes this week, contact your target universities about Eiffel, and get your documents ready for the Charpak call.
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