French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs/DAAD - Scholarships for the Study of the Arab World

Scholarships for the Study of the Arab World

You will receive a monthly grant of 600 EUR for up to 9 months to undertake a language study programme in an Arabic-speaking country. The exact amount depends on your training centre: 500 EUR in Cairo (Egypt), 600 EUR in Tunis (Tunisia) and 700 EUR in Beirut (Lebanon) or Amman (Jordan). In addition to this funding, Campus France will pay your course fees directly to the centre and cover the cost of international health insurance, including emergency assistance and repatriation. The programme is run by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research via Campus France, and 20 to 30 scholarships are awarded for 2026–2027. This is a language course and not a research scholarship; you therefore undertake to devote yourself full-time to learning Arabic. Travel costs are not covered.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are enrolled on a Bachelor’s degree programme (Licence L1 to L3) or a Master’s degree programme (M1 or M2).
• Where you study: You are enrolled at a French higher education institution and will remain enrolled there during the period from 2026 to 2027, whilst being covered by the French social security system.
• Field of study: You are learning Arabic and have professional or academic goals linked to the Arab world.
• Arabic level: You will reach the level required for your chosen centre: A2 to B1 for Cairo, A2 to C1 for Beirut or Amman, and C1 for Tunis.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply; they simply need to be studying at a French higher education institution.
• No other grant: You are not currently receiving another mobility grant (funding for studying abroad).
• First-timers first: You have not previously received this scholarship at the same institution, and first-time applicants will be given priority.

How to apply

Applications are made online via the ‘Campus France SMApply’ platform. You should complete the application form and ask your teacher to submit a letter of recommendation. The application deadline for 2026-2027 is 3. April 2026. If you are shortlisted, you will take part in a video interview lasting approximately 15 minutes at the end of May or beginning of June, which will be conducted partly in Arabic and partly in French.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very narrowly defined. You must be studying at a French university, learning Arabic and achieve the language level required by the institution of your choice. This means that the pool of eligible applicants remains small. With 20 to 30 places available and priority given to first-time applicants, the pool of participants is manageable. If you clearly meet the language and project requirements and prepare well for the interview, your chances are good.