Francis Bouygues Foundation - Francis Bouygues Enterprise Foundation Scholarships

What the Francis Bouygues Foundation gives you

You will receive a grant of about 830 EUR per month, which will be paid out in ten instalments per year. The exact amount is determined on an individual basis and is awarded in addition to the French government’s CROUS grant. The scholarship covers the entire duration of your studies, usually around five years, until you complete your Master’s degree. It is a grant, not a loan: you will never have to repay it, nor are you obliged to work for the Bouygues Group. In addition, for the entire duration of your studies, you will be assigned a personal mentor – a Bouygues employee or a former scholarship holder – who will advise you and give you access to their professional network. The foundation was established in 2005 by Martin Bouygues and awards 125 of these scholarships each year.

Who can apply

• Study level: You are in your final year of school (Terminale) and are about to sit the French general or technical baccalaureate. A ‘Bac Pro’ is not sufficient, and the foundation does not fund PhDs.
• Grades: You have passed your Abitur with a grade of ‘Très Bien’ (very good) or ‘Bien’ (good) and have achieved outstanding results over the last two years of school.
• Where you study: You are studying at a French university. There is no financial support available for studying abroad.
• Field of study: Any topic is permitted, with no restrictions as to subject area.
• Financial need: Your family’s taxable income does not exceed 25,000 EUR per year, and you can provide evidence of this.
• Nationality: You are French or a foreign pupil with a French cultural background. Foreign applicants are eligible to apply if their school is a French school abroad recognised by the French Ministry of Education (the AEFE network).
• Motivation: You have a clear study plan and can explain why you are applying for the scholarship.

How to apply

Download the application form from the Foundation’s website and send your complete application documents by post between 1 and 31 May. Only applications sent by post and received within this period will be considered. If your application is shortlisted in June, you will be invited to an interview in Paris in early July, following which the final scholarship recipients will be selected.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is highly selective. You must have excellent Abitur grades (Très Bien or Bien), a family income of less than 25,000 EUR, and be studying in France; as a result, far fewer people are eligible for this than for open scholarships. With 125 places available each year, anyone who clearly meets all these criteria and submits a compelling personal statement has a genuine chance of success. Please submit your application early in May, as only applications received during this period will be considered.