The Lafayette Fellowship

Objectives

Designed to support the next generation of young leaders with a strong interest in the transatlantic relationship, the Lafayette Fellowship will fund one year of master’s-level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students.

Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone candidates, the program partners with leading French academic institutions across STEM, humanities, social sciences, and the arts, with courses taught in French or entirely in English.

In addition to their academic studies, fellows will also join the French-American Leadership Program – a year-long series of lectures, masterclasses, site visits, and mentorship – offering full immersion in European innovation, culture, and policy. 

The program aims to deepen academic and cultural exchange between France and the U.S. and nurture future leaders. The Fellowship will encourage reflection on major global challenges, such as environmental challenges and sustainability; health and biotechnology; peace and security; social equity and democratic issues; digital technologies; and artificial intelligence.

Fellowship Benefits and Funding

The Lafayette Fellowship provides:

• A €1,500 monthly stipend from mid-July 2026 through the end of June 2027 to cover living expenses
• One year of tuition at a partner French institution for eligible programs
• Application fee waivers for French academic institutions and master’s programs
• Student visa fee waivers for one academic year 
• A round-trip flight to and from France at the start and end of the program
• Coverage of travel costs and activities related to the French-American Leadership Program

The Leadership Program 

Alongside their academic coursework, fellows will participate in the French-American Leadership Program, an immersive leadership development experience offering opportunities to:

• Attend conferences and masterclasses in fields where France is at the forefront.
• Meet world-renowned French leaders and top researchers. 
• Visit leading labs and scientific facilities to explore innovative solutions to global challenges.
• Take part in a rich cultural itinerary, including internationally renowned events, such as the Avignon Theater Festival.
• Travel to Strasbourg, the seat of European institutions, and to Paris to gain insights into Europe’s role on the global stage.   

Fellows will also benefit from a mentorship program, each paired with a prominent French figure in business, government, culture, or academia aligned with their professional goals.

Key Dates

• August 29, 2025, 10:00 p.m. ET – Opening of call for applications 
• November 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET – Application deadline 
• December 10, 2025 – January 15, 2026 – Local selection and online interviews 
• End of January 2026 – National jury 
• February 2026 – Announcement of laureates 
• July 4–25, 2026 – French-American Leadership Program (Paris, Avignon, Arles, and Marseille) 
• Mid-December 2026 – One-week program in Strasbourg 
• June 2027 – Three-day program and Lafayette closing event in Paris 

For more information, download the program’s one-pager and presentation below.