France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2026

Applications are open for the France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2026, offering scholarship opportunities for students from South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi who intend to pursue Master’s or PhD studies at higher education institutions in France. The programme is administered by the Embassy of France in South Africa and supports academic mobility and high level exchanges between France and the participating countries.

The scholarship call opened on July 21, 2026, and applications must be submitted by October 8, 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time. Successful candidates are expected to begin their studies in France in September 2027. The programme is open to all fields of study, with particular priority given to areas including digital technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, health, environmental sciences, energy, low carbon mobility, space, food systems, and information and communication technologies. Humanities and social sciences projects connected to these areas are also eligible.

The programme supports studies at Master’s and PhD level at French higher education institutions located in France. Joint or international degree programmes may also qualify where at least one partner institution is in France, although scholarship funding only covers the period of study and research undertaken in France.

About the Scholarship

The France South Africa Scholarship Programme is intended to strengthen academic and research exchanges between France and Southern Africa. The programme is open to citizens of South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi who meet the age, academic and study requirements.

Applicants do not necessarily need to have secured admission to a French institution before submitting their scholarship application. Master’s applicants must identify suitable programmes, while PhD applicants must identify a prospective supervisor or research laboratory in France.

The scholarship can support a Master’s degree for the duration of the programme, normally two years. PhD scholarships can be awarded for up to three years, subject to satisfactory research progress and annual renewal.

Applicants are responsible for checking that their chosen programme leads to a qualification officially recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Scholarship Benefits

• Social security coverage and health insurance

• Priority access to student housing

• Exemption from visa fees

• Support services from Campus France Paris

• Exemption from the Student and Campus Life Contribution

• Conditional exemption from registration fees at eligible public higher education institutions

• Return flight ticket between the recipient’s country of residence and France

• Monthly living allowance of approximately €900 for Master’s students

• Monthly living allowance of approximately €1,850 for PhD students

• Eligibility to apply for additional housing support through the French Family Allowance Fund

The scholarship does not generally cover tuition fees charged beyond the standard national tuition rates at eligible public institutions. Applicants should therefore carefully check the tuition requirements of their selected programmes and consider additional sources of funding where necessary.

Priority Study Areas

Applications are accepted across all fields of study. Priority is given to projects connected to:

• Digital technologies

• Artificial intelligence

• Quantum technologies

• Biotechnology

• Health

• Environmental sciences

• Energy

• Low carbon mobility

• Space

• Food systems

• Information and communication technologies

• Humanities and social sciences projects connected to the priority areas

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a citizen of South Africa, Lesotho or Malawi

• Must be born on or after January 1, 1997

• Must have achieved a minimum average of 60 percent in the most recently completed degree

• Must not hold dual French citizenship

• Master’s applicants must intend to enrol in a Master’s programme at a French higher education institution

• Master’s applicants do not need to have secured admission when submitting the scholarship application

• PhD applicants must intend to pursue a PhD at a French higher education institution

• PhD applicants must have identified a prospective supervisor or research laboratory in France

• The selected programme must meet the programme recognition requirements of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research

• Applicants must be prepared to study in France for the periods covered by the scholarship

Required Application Materials

All applicants must provide:

• Completed online application form

• Copy of passport or national ID if a passport is not yet available

• Updated CV including complete academic history

• Cover letter explaining motivation and interest in the proposed academic project

• Copies of previous academic degree certificates

• University transcripts showing academic results for at least three years of study

Additional Requirements for Master’s Applicants

• List of up to three identified study programmes in order of preference

• Links to the webpages of the selected programmes

• Application dates for the selected programmes

• Tuition fee information for each programme

• Proof of admission must eventually be provided for one of the programmes selected in the scholarship application

• Applicants are encouraged to include correspondence with French higher education institutions during the scholarship application process

Additional Requirements for PhD Applicants

• Supervisor commitment letter

• Commitment letters from both South African and French supervisors where a co supervision arrangement is proposed

• Detailed research project of two to three pages

• Research work plan

• Schedule showing periods to be spent in France where applicable

• Co tutelle agreement if already signed

Optional documents may include a cost sharing commitment letter, academic or professional recommendation, and French language certificates.

Selection Criteria

Applications are shortlisted based on the overall quality of the application. Preselected candidates are invited for interviews.

The selection process considers:

• Academic record and professional background

• Skills and demonstrated merit

• Quality of the proposed study project

• Coherence between the study project and previous academic background

• Clarity and quality of future career plans

• Quality of supervision arrangements for PhD applicants

• Commitment of South African and French supervisors for co supervised PhD projects

• Language proficiency and its relevance to the selected programme

How to Apply

1. Review the official France South Africa Scholarship Programme eligibility requirements and rulebook.
2. Identify suitable Master’s or PhD programmes at recognised French higher education institutions.
3. Check that the selected qualification is officially recognised in France.
4. Master’s applicants should identify up to three suitable study programmes and record their application dates and tuition information.
5. PhD applicants should identify a prospective French supervisor or research laboratory and prepare the required research proposal.
6. Prepare the CV, motivation letter, academic certificates, transcripts and other supporting documents.
7. Complete the online France South Africa Scholarship Programme application.
8. Upload all required documents and carefully review the application.
9. Select the final submission option before the October 8, 2026 deadline.
10. Keep the submission confirmation received by email after completing the application.