Scholarships
in France for
Indian Students
Over 500 Indian students are funded every year to study in France — through government awards, school merit grants, and Indian foundation scholarships. Find out which ones you qualify for.
Scholarships in France — At a Glance
Two major French government tracks for international and Indian students
€1,400/month fully-funded EU scholarship open to Indian students globally
Inlaks Shivdasani and JN Tata cover significant total study costs for Indians
HEC Paris, Sciences Po, ESSEC, EDHEC, ESCP award merit grants at admission
French Government
Scholarships
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs funds two flagship scholarship tracks. One is globally competitive; the other is designed specifically for Indian students.
Eiffel Excellence
Scholarship
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Programme Bourses d'Excellence Eiffel
Benefits Package
Important: You CANNOT apply directly for the Eiffel scholarship. Your French institution must nominate you. The nomination is submitted by the institution to Campus France by January, and the Ministry announces results in April/May.
How to Apply — 4 Steps
France Excellence Charpak Scholarship
For Indian Students Only — French Embassy India
Charpak Masters Track Benefits
How to Apply
Charpak
Excellence
Mobility Grant
The Space Academy
Mobility Grant — The Space Academy
Académie de l'Air et de l'Espace — Open to Indian Students
Offered by France's Académie de l'Air et de l'Espace (AAE), this mobility grant targets students enrolling in aerospace, satellite technology, aeronautics, and space engineering programs. India's strong space sector (ISRO) makes Indian students particularly competitive candidates for this award.
Eligibility for Indian Students
Relevant programs: ISAE-SUPAERO (Toulouse), École Polytechnique Aerospace, Université Paul Sabatier, ENAC, Ecole Centrale Paris. Indian students with ISRO experience or aerospace engineering backgrounds are strong candidates.
Erasmus+ Mobility
Scholarships
Erasmus scholarships fund Indian students to study across multiple European countries — France often included as a program country.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree
The EMJMD is one of the most prestigious fully-funded scholarships available globally. Each program requires study in a minimum of two EU countries — France is frequently included as a partner country. Approximately 1,200 scholarships are awarded globally each year, making it highly competitive.
Eligibility note: You must not have spent more than 12 months in the program countries in the past 5 years. Application route: Apply directly to the EMJMD program consortium (not through your home university). Deadlines: October–January for September start.
Erasmus+ KA1 Mobility Grants
For Students at Partner Universities
Erasmus+ KA1 mobility grants are available to students currently enrolled at Indian institutions that have formal partnership agreements with French universities. The grant amount varies by destination city and cost of living — higher amounts for cities like Paris, lower for smaller towns.
Pro tip: Check if your current Indian college or university has an Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreement. If it does, you may already be eligible for a KA1 mobility grant to spend a semester in France.
Indian Government &
Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships are funded by Indian institutions and private foundations — and can be combined with French government scholarships for maximum coverage.
JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
Interest-Free Loan Scholarship
One of India's most respected loan scholarships for higher education abroad. The JN Tata Endowment funds Indian citizens with exceptional academic records who have secured admission to top global institutions — France included. It is technically a loan, but repayment terms are highly favourable.
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
Loan Scholarship at 3% Simple Interest
The NSF scholarship offers one of the largest funding amounts available for Indian students pursuing graduate education abroad. It is particularly supportive of first-generation learners — students who are the first in their family to pursue postgraduate education overseas.
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
Up to $100,000 — Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences
One of the most prestigious and competitive private scholarships for Indian students. Inlaks awards are not just merit-based — they look for exceptional profiles combining academic excellence with outstanding extra-curricular achievement in arts, sciences, or social sciences. Interviews are rigorous.
Tata Trusts — Sir Dorabji Tata Trust
Case-by-Case Grants
The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust offers grants for tuition and living costs on a case-by-case basis. Preference for Indian citizens with merit and demonstrated financial need in STEM and social science disciplines. Applications go through the Trust's annual cycle.
Franco-Indian Education Trust
French Embassy India + Krishnakriti Foundation
A bilateral cultural scholarship jointly supported by the French Embassy India and the Krishnakriti Foundation (Mr. Prashant K Lahoti). Grants and fellowships are awarded to Indian students pursuing French cultural and academic programs. Funding varies by year and program.
Scholarships at Top
French Institutions
Most institutional scholarships are awarded at admission. Applying in Round 1 maximises your chances of securing a merit grant.
| School | Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEC Paris | Excellence Scholarship | Up to €30,000 | GMAT 700+, strong profile, merit |
| Sciences Po | Need + Merit Grants | Up to 70% tuition | Financial need + academic excellence |
| ESSEC | Merit Scholarships | Up to €15,000 | Academic excellence, early admission |
| EDHEC | Excellence Scholarships | Up to €15,000 | Academic merit at admission |
| ESCP | International Excellence Awards | Up to €10,000 | Strong academic + leadership profile |
| EM Lyon | Excellence Scholarships | Up to €12,000 | Merit-based at admission |
| Grenoble EM | GEM Scholarship | Up to €8,000 | Merit-based |
| SKEMA | Merit Scholarships | Up to €6,000 | Academic record |
| IESEG | Social Responsibility Scholarship | Up to €5,000 | Essay + academic merit |
| Bourse Admission d'Excellence | Business/Finance | €5,000 | Management, admin, finance programs |
| Audencia | International Scholarship | Up to €5,000 | Merit-based |
| TBS Education | Merit Scholarship | Up to €4,000 | GMAT 600+ |
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Round 1 advantage: Institutional scholarships are allocated during the admissions process — schools give out their largest awards to early applicants. Our team tracks school-specific deadlines and helps you submit in Round 1 for maximum scholarship potential.
General Eligibility
Criteria
Each scholarship has its own criteria — these are the common factors across all major awards for Indian students.
Academic Score
Most scholarships require 65%–80%+ in Bachelor's degree. Eiffel and Inlaks require 70%+ or equivalent GPA (7.5/10). Charpak accepts 65%+. Public university scholarships are often more flexible. CGPA equivalencies: 8.0/10 ≈ 80%, 7.5/10 ≈ 75%. Strong final-year scores matter — some scholarships look at last two years specifically.
Age Limits
Eiffel: under 25 for Masters, under 30 for PhD. Charpak: under 30. Inlaks: under 30 (strictly enforced). JN Tata: under 45. Narotam Sekhsaria: under 30 for Masters. Institutional scholarships (HEC, ESSEC, EDHEC, etc.) generally have no age limit. Erasmus Mundus: no age restriction but strong preference for candidates early in their academic career.
Nationality
Charpak is exclusively for Indian nationals — one of France's most India-specific scholarship programs. Eiffel is open to all international (non-French) students globally. Erasmus Mundus is open globally but gives priority to students from outside EU/EEA. Indian government foundation scholarships (JN Tata, Narotam, Inlaks, Tata Trusts) are exclusively for Indian citizens. Institutional scholarships are open to all nationalities.
Language Proficiency
IELTS 6.5+ (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90+ required for English-taught programs. Eiffel requires either English OR French proficiency (TEF/DELF B2 or above). Charpak is for English-medium programs — French not required but advantageous. Some institutional scholarships require B1/B2 French for French-taught modules. Note: Charpak SOPs are now checked for AI-generated content — always write your own.
Documents Needed
Admission letter or conditional offer from French institution (mandatory for most). CV/Resume (max 2 pages, academic + professional). Statement of Purpose (500–1,000 words, tailored per scholarship). 2–3 Letters of Recommendation (1 academic + 1 professional preferred). Official academic transcripts + mark sheets (translated to English/French if needed). Passport copy. Bank statements (for need-based scholarships). GMAT/GRE scores (for HEC/ESSEC institutional awards). Financial need certificate (for Sciences Po, some foundations).
Not sure which scholarship you qualify for? Our counsellors match your profile to the right awards — and tell you exactly what to strengthen before applying.
Scholarship Application
Calendar
For a September intake. Start 12–15 months before your target departure — the earlier you begin, the more scholarship options stay open.
Research scholarships, shortlist programs, take IELTS/GMAT
Apply to French universities — Round 1 (best scholarship chances)
Receive admission offers; register on Campus France India portal
Eiffel nominations open — ask your institution to nominate you
Charpak scholarship applications open on Campus France India. Inlaks & Narotam applications open.
Submit Charpak application + documents. Erasmus Mundus EMJMD applications due.
JN Tata Endowment deadline. Eiffel results announced by Ministry.
Charpak results announced. Inlaks final interview rounds. Narotam deadline.
Accept scholarship. Apply for student visa (VLS-TS) through Campus France.
Arrive in France — orientation begins. Your France journey starts.
For January Intake
How to Apply for Scholarships
in France — Step by Step
A seven-step process that covers every major scholarship track for Indian students.
Get Admission First
Most scholarships — including Eiffel and Charpak — require a confirmed or conditional offer letter from a French institution. Apply to 4–6 programs across different school tiers to maximise your options. Apply early (Round 1, October–December) for best scholarship positioning.
Register on Campus France
Registration on the Campus France India portal is mandatory for your student visa application and for the Charpak scholarship. The procedure fee is approximately €30 (waived for Charpak scholars). Create your profile, upload documents, and complete the Campus France interview. This step is compulsory for all Indian students going to France.
Identify Your Scholarships
Match scholarships to your profile: Indian-specific track → Charpak. Fully funded via institution → Eiffel (ask institution to nominate you). School-specific reduction → institutional merit awards at admission. Foundation-based → Inlaks, JN Tata, Narotam (apply 6–9 months before departure). Don't apply for all — apply for the right ones. We help you identify your best-fit opportunities.
Prepare Your Application Documents
SOP must be tailored to each scholarship — Charpak wants Franco-Indian cultural exchange angle; Eiffel wants academic excellence and career impact; Inlaks wants exceptional achievement + passion. Strong LORs from professors who know your research capability. Updated CV (max 2 pages). All transcripts. Charpak SOPs are now scanned for AI-generated content — write in your own voice.
Submit Before Deadlines
Eiffel: ask your French institution to nominate you by December–January. Charpak: submit your own application on Campus France India portal by March. Inlaks: submit by February. JN Tata: October–November. Narotam: around May. Never miss a deadline — scholarships are lost, never delayed. We track every deadline for our students in real time.
Prepare for Interviews
Eiffel short-listed candidates may be called for interviews by the Ministry or Campus France. Inlaks conducts multiple interview rounds. Be ready to articulate: Why France specifically? Why this program? How does this scholarship align with your long-term career and contribution to India? Practice with our counsellors before your interview.
Accept Within Deadline + Begin Visa
Scholarship acceptance windows are typically 2–4 weeks. Decide fast — scholarship seats are released to waitlisted candidates if you don't respond. Once you accept, begin your student visa (VLS-TS) application immediately. Visa processing through Campus France takes 4–8 weeks. Our team guides you through the entire visa documentation process.
Why Apply for Scholarships
Through StudyFrance.in
Scholarships are not just about filling forms. They're about positioning your story in a way that wins. Here's how we help.
We Know Every Scholarship
Our team actively tracks 15+ scholarship programs for Indian students heading to France — government, institutional, and foundation-based. We match your specific profile to the right opportunities, not all of them. No missed deadlines, no wasted applications.
Our Co-Owner in Paris
Priya, our co-owner, has personally navigated the French scholarship system as an Indian student. She knows exactly what Charpak reviewers prioritise, what Eiffel nomination committees look for, and how to frame an SOP that wins. You get lived experience, not textbook advice.
SOP + Document Coaching
We help you write Statements of Purpose that win scholarships — not just secure admissions. Multiple review rounds, tailored to each award's specific angle. Our track record: Charpak SOPs we've reviewed have a materially higher acceptance rate than industry average.
95% of Our Students Get Some Funding
Whether through Charpak, Eiffel nomination, institutional merit awards, or Indian foundation scholarships — we help every student find at least partial funding. No student we've worked with has gone to France without some form of financial support secured.
Get your free scholarship profile assessment
We'll tell you which scholarships you qualify for, and what to do next.
Quick Scholarship
Comparison
8 key scholarships compared side by side — eligibility, amount, deadlines, and how to apply.
| Scholarship | Who Can Apply | Amount | Deadline | Application Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Excellence | All international (non-French) | €1,181–1,400/mo + full benefits | Jan (institution nominates) | Institution nominates → Ministry selects |
| Charpak (France Excellence) | Indian nationals only | €860/mo + flight + insurance | February–March | Campus France India portal |
| Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Global (non-EU preference) | €1,400/mo + tuition waiver | Oct–Jan | Direct to EMJMD consortium |
| JN Tata Endowment | Indian nationals | Up to ₹10 lakhs (loan schol.) | October–November | jntataendowment.com |
| Narotam Sekhsaria | Indian nationals, under 30 | Up to ₹20 lakhs @ 3% interest | Around May | NSF website online application |
| Inlaks Shivdasani | Indian citizens, under 30 | Up to $100,000 total | February–March | Inlaks website + interview rounds |
| HEC Paris Excellence | All admitted students | Up to €30,000 | At admission | HEC admission process |
| Sciences Po Need+Merit | All admitted students | Up to 70% tuition | At admission | Sciences Po financial aid office |
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Scholarship deadlines and amounts change each cycle. Our team maintains live tracking — speak to us before submitting any application.
Fully Funded vs Partial
Scholarships in France
Fully Funded
Covers tuition + living + travel
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Tuition + €1,181–1,400/mo + return airfare + accommodation + health insurance
Erasmus Mundus EMJMD
Full tuition waiver + €1,400/mo + travel allowance across 2+ EU countries
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
Up to $100,000 covering tuition + living costs + travel (India-specific)
These awards cover most or all of your study expenses — but they are the most competitive to win.
Partial / Significant Support
Covers portion of costs
Charpak (France Excellence)
€860/mo living allowance + flight + insurance — covers living costs, not tuition
JN Tata Endowment
Up to ₹10 lakhs interest-free loan scholarship — covers tuition portion
Narotam Sekhsaria
Up to ₹20 lakhs at 3% simple interest — covers significant portion of total cost
Institutional Scholarships
10%–100% tuition reduction at HEC, ESSEC, EDHEC, Sciences Po, ESCP, EM Lyon and others
Tata Trusts Grants
Case-by-case grants for tuition + living — merit + financial need basis
These can be combined for maximum coverage — e.g., Charpak (living) + institutional grant (tuition reduction).
Key insight: Even partial scholarships in France go a long way — school fees are already 60–80% cheaper than UK or US equivalents. A Charpak stipend (€860/month) + a 15% institutional tuition waiver + part-time work income can reduce your net out-of-pocket cost by 50–60% compared to studying without any support.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything Indian students ask us about scholarships in France — answered in full.
Yes — and you should. There is no rule preventing Indian students from applying to multiple scholarships at the same time. In fact, our strategy for every student is to stack applications: apply for Charpak (India-specific, deadline March), Eiffel (institution nominates you, results April), institutional merit scholarships (at admission), and Indian foundation scholarships like Inlaks or JN Tata (deadline February–May). Each scholarship has a different funding track, and many are complementary. Our team maps out a scholarship calendar specific to your profile.
Don't Navigate
Scholarships Alone.
The Eiffel, Charpak, Erasmus Mundus, Inlaks, JN Tata — each has its own window, its own requirements, and its own competitive dynamics. Missing one deadline or submitting a generic SOP costs you funding that takes a year to get back. Our team tracks every scholarship, every cycle — and we've helped hundreds of Indian students secure funding for France.