Frequently Asked Questions

The Lafayette Fellowship is designed by the French Embassy in the United States, Villa Albertine, and France Science. The program is made possible thanks to generous support from our visionary sponsors and partners. Learn more about our program partners and sponsors here.

The Fellowship covers:

• One year of tuition fees at the French university or school where the Fellow is admitted.
• An annual stipend of €17,250 for 2026–2027, i.e. €1,500 paid monthly from mid-July 2026 to June 2027, to cover living expenses including accommodations.
• The application fee for a master’s program via the Études en France platform (if applicable).
• Visa-related fees (pre-consular application, student visa, TLScontact appointment).
• Full health insurance and supplementary insurance.
• One round-trip economy-class flight to and from France.

The Fellowship supports one year of study at the master’s level.

No, the Fellowship only covers one year. However, you can explore other sources of funding on the Campus France USA’s Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships page or on your future campus’ website.

Yes, but Fellows cannot receive a second monthly stipend.

To join in our efforts to build bridges between France and the United States in the field of higher education, please contact us at lafayettefellowship@villa-albertine.org.

Applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution (completed between August 2023 and June 2026).
• Be under 27 years old as of July 1, 2026. There is no flexibility permitted with respect to the age requirement.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale, no rounding).

If you hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution completed between August 2023 and June 2026, you are eligible to apply.

There is no language requirement for the Fellowship. However, if your academic program is taught partially or entirely in French, you must provide proof of French language proficiency.

The scholarship cannot be deferred to a later academic year.

No, a U.S. bachelor’s degree is required.

The programs eligible for the Fellowship cover a wide range of disciplines in STEM, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. A detailed list is available on the dedicated page of each institution.

Only designated partner institutions and programs are eligible.

The Fellowship is only for master’s-level study.

Yes, you may apply to up to two partner institutions.

The Lafayette Fellowship is open only to students in full-year programs in France at one of the schools or universities in the Lafayette network.  During the year you are a Lafayette Fellow, you will participate in a leadership program that lasts the entire year and is not compatible with studies in other countries.

Admission to one of the Lafayette Fellowship’s French partner institutions—either for a degree program or a visiting program approved by the institution—is required for ultimately receiving the Fellowship. Candidates must apply separately for admission to their selected French institution in parallel with their Fellowship application.

Fellows must be enrolled full-time, in-person, at a French partner institution for the full academic year.

• You must apply to both, in parallel. The admissions procedures and timelines are specified for each school on their dedicated pages.
• Most French universities open applications from October–January, while the Fellowship portal is open from September–November.  Certain schools and Grandes Ecoles have early application procedures, normally between October and November.  Please refer to the schools’ admissions calendars indicated on the respective university webpages on our Lafayette Fellowship website. When a specific admissions procedure has been established for Lafayette candidates, it will also be indicated.

Most programs require it, though some institutions have their own application process. Please refer to our dedicated university pages for details. If you have any doubts, check directly with your chosen institution.

No, endorsement is not required.

Applications must be submitted through the official Felllowship portal by no later than 11:59 PM ET on November 30, 2025. Email or postal applications will not be accepted.

• Application period: August 29 – November 30, 2025 (11:59 PM ET).
• Online interview period (for selected candidates): December 8, 2025 – January 15, 2026
• Selection results: Notifications sent by February 2026 (all applicants will be contacted).
• Departure to France: July 2026.

Up to 30 students are selected annually.

The French-American Leadership Program includes lectures, masterclasses, site visits, and mentorship, offering a year-long immersion in European innovation, culture, and policy.

Employment is not recommended. The monthly allowance is sufficient to live in France and to devote oneself fully to one’s studies and fellowship experience.

Only if it is a required part of your degree program. Otherwise, internships are recommended after your fellowship year.

Yes, Fellows receive assistance with housing, health coverage, and integration through the host universities and partner organizations.

Partner universities and the Lafayette Network offer strong support services, including international student offices, “Bienvenue en France” services, CROUS housing, and welcome desks.

In addition to the housing facilities offered by the universities, the French Embassy has partnerships with institutions in France to offer housing options to students in Paris as well as in the various cities where the partner universities are located.