France Excellence-DOST Scholarship 2026 Admissions Open
France has officially activated one of its most strategic international funding routes for future scientists, opening applications for the France Excellence–DOST Scholarship 2026—a fully supported master’s and PhD pathway for high-potential students aiming to study natural sciences at French public universities. Backed by a formal partnership between the Embassy of France and the Philippines Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), this scholarship is more than financial aid—it is a talent-building investment designed to shape the next generation of global researchers, innovators, and scientific leaders.
While this specific scheme is bilateral, it carries global relevance because it reflects how France structures its flagship France Excellence funding model—an approach that is increasingly being mirrored in similar government-to-government scholarship frameworks worldwide. For international candidates planning research careers in Europe, this program offers a clear window into how France supports elite postgraduate education at scale.
The France Excellence–DOST Scholarship—formerly known as the PhilFrance-DOST Scholarship—was created to strengthen academic cooperation between France and the Philippines and now stands as a premier route for students admitted to French public universities offering state-recognized Diplôme National degrees at the Master’s (M1, M2) and PhD levels. The scholarship focuses exclusively on natural sciences and research-driven disciplines, aligning France’s national innovation priorities with long-term scientific capacity building.
What makes this opportunity particularly attractive is its dual-support funding structure, combining institutional backing from the French government with financial sustainability from DOST-SEI. Through the Embassy of France, scholars receive coverage of official enrollment fees—up to EUR 3,879 per year for master’s programs and EUR 391 per year for doctoral programs—along with exemption from the CVEC fee, full access to the French public healthcare system plus supplementary insurance, discounted cultural access through Campus France, and exemption from long-stay student visa fees. However, applicants should note that subsidized student accommodation is no longer included from 2025 onward, meaning housing must be arranged independently.
On the living-support side, DOST-SEI ensures scholars can focus fully on academics by providing a monthly living allowance based on national funding standards, along with round-trip economy airfare from Manila to the host city in France and back upon completion of studies. This combination creates a funding ecosystem that supports both academic access and real-world sustainability throughout the degree period.
Applicants should be aware that the France Excellence framework maintains strict academic integrity standards. Programs that are not eligible include courses offered by non-French institutions operating in France, overseas campuses of French universities, joint or dual degrees including Erasmus Mundus, and short-term or vocational programs such as culinary or fashion certificates. This scholarship is strictly for state-recognized academic degrees with strong research orientation.
Beyond French Embassy documentation, candidates must also fulfill DOST-SEI requirements, which include submitting official application forms https://www.philippines.campusfrance.org/the-france-excellence-dost-scholarship, a detailed budget plan, a post-study re-entry strategy, NBI clearance, medical and birth certificates, two academic recommendation letters, and employer endorsements for those currently in service. These requirements reflect the program’s dual mission: academic excellence abroad and long-term national contribution after graduation.
For students planning ahead, timing is everything. The France Excellence–DOST Scholarship 2026 application deadline to submit complete applications is 17 March 2026. With France placing renewed emphasis on research mobility and scientific leadership, this scholarship stands as one of the most structured and future-oriented postgraduate funding opportunities available for the 2026 intake.
