Institut français NL - Descartes French Excellence Scholarships

France Excellence Descartes scholarship

You will receive 900 EUR per month for 10 months (from September 2026 to June 2027) to undertake a Master’s degree programme in France. In addition to the funding, you will receive assistance with finding accommodation, access to the French housing benefit (APL), priority when applying for accommodation at the Collège néerlandais in Paris, and membership of the France Alumni network. The programme is run by the Institut français NL in collaboration with the French Embassy in The Hague and Campus France. Since 2001, it has already supported over 150 Dutch students.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold, or have recently obtained, at least a Dutch bachelor’s degree (from a WO research university or an HBO university of applied sciences).
• Where you study now: You are, or were, enrolled at a Dutch higher education institution.
• Where you go: You would like to do a Master’s degree in France.
• Field of study: Any subject area, for example natural sciences, engineering, law, economics, social sciences, humanities, business studies, French, history or art history.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, with the exception of French nationals.
• Language: French is not a prerequisite. The required language level depends on the degree programme chosen and the language of instruction.

How to apply

Please email your complete application to the programme coordinator at the Institut français NL by 30 April 2026; all documents must be in English or French. If you are shortlisted, you will present your project in person to a panel on 20 May 2026 in the form of a short pitch. The results will be announced at the end of May. The scholarship will only be confirmed once you have been admitted by a French institution; you should therefore apply for your degree programme at the same time.

How realistic are your chances?

The pool of applicants is, by its very nature, limited. You need a Dutch qualification and must be aiming for a Master’s degree specifically in France, which rules out most applicants from other countries. If you clearly fit this profile and can explain why France is the right choice for your studies and your career, your prospects are good, especially as all subject areas are open. During the personal interview, a well-prepared, motivated applicant will stand out from one who relies solely on their grades.