The University of Paris Scholarship topic now refers to funding routes at Université Paris Cité, the institution’s current official name. Verified options include the France Excellence Eiffel program, SMARTS-UP master’s awards and specialist graduate-school scholarships.
Each University of Paris Scholarship has distinct degree, field and nomination rules. Applicants must secure the correct academic program and follow either the university’s procedure or the external provider’s institutional nomination route.
Key Facts
- Current institution: Université Paris Cité.
- Location: Paris, France.
- Primary current international route: France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship.
- Eligible Eiffel levels: master’s, engineering and joint doctoral study.
- University route: SMARTS-UP supports selected international master’s programs.
- Specialist route: EUR G.E.N.E. supports international Master 2 Genetics students.
- Eiffel benefits: allowance, transport, insurance, housing support and cultural activities.
- Eiffel tuition rule: the program does not itself pay general program costs.
- Application rule: Eiffel candidates must be nominated by a French institution.
- Language evidence: applicants must prove the teaching language required by the program.
University Overview
Université Paris Cité is a multidisciplinary public university with programs in health, sciences, humanities and social sciences. The institution’s current name should be used in applications even though “University of Paris Scholarship” remains a common English search phrase.
Its academic portfolio includes bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study, with French- and English-taught options varying by faculty. Admissions decisions are made by the responsible program or faculty and are separate from scholarship selection.
International candidates may apply through Études en France, Mon Master, eCandidat or a program-specific platform. The correct route depends on nationality, residence, degree level and the chosen program.
Scholarship Overview
- France Excellence Eiffel is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
- Only French higher-education institutions submit Eiffel nominations.
- Eiffel supports priority fields at master’s, engineering and doctoral levels.
- SMARTS-UP supports selected international students in participating master’s programs.
- SMARTS-UP awards are normally granted for one academic year and are not automatically extended.
- EUR G.E.N.E. annually offers scholarships for eligible international Master 2 Genetics students.
- EUR G.E.N.E. scholarship and master’s applications follow separate procedures.
- Applicants must not combine awards when the selected program prohibits cumulative funding.
Eligible Majors
Eiffel priority areas in science and technology include biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital studies, and engineering sciences. Humanities and social-science priorities include history, French language and civilization, law and political science, and economics and management.
SMARTS-UP eligibility is restricted to participating Université Paris Cité graduate-school master’s programs. Published examples include mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, quantum technologies, Earth sciences and other research-oriented curricula.
The EUR G.E.N.E. route is specifically for Master 2 Genetics. Applicants need an appropriate Master 1 or equivalent qualification and the academic prerequisites for the university’s genetics curriculum.
Target Groups
- High-achieving foreign candidates for eligible master’s programs.
- International students entering participating SMARTS-UP curricula.
- Master 2 Genetics applicants educated outside France.
- Candidates in Eiffel science and technology priority fields.
- Candidates in Eiffel humanities and social-science priority fields.
- Engineering-degree candidates presented by the university.
- Joint doctoral candidates working with an overseas partner institution.
- Applicants meeting the nationality and age rules of the selected program.
Benefits
- Monthly living allowance through the France Excellence Eiffel program.
- International and national transportation services under Eiffel rules.
- Health insurance arranged for Eiffel scholarship holders.
- Housing-search assistance rather than guaranteed free housing.
- Access to Eiffel cultural activities.
- One-year financial awards through eligible SMARTS-UP programs.
- Financial support and simplified CROUS housing access through EUR G.E.N.E.
Duration and Renewal by Degree
Master 1: Eiffel support may cover up to twenty-four months when the recipient enters M1 and meets the academic requirements for progression. The exact approved period appears in the award decision.
Master 2: Eiffel support may cover up to twelve months. SMARTS-UP and EUR G.E.N.E. awards are generally structured for one academic year and should not be treated as automatically renewable.
Engineering degree: Eiffel funding may extend to thirty-six months for an eligible engineering curriculum presented by the institution.
Doctoral degree: Eiffel supports joint doctoral arrangements for an approved period within the program’s rules. The scholarship does not automatically fund the entire doctoral registration.
Scholarship Requirements
- Apply to an eligible Université Paris Cité academic program.
- Meet the nationality and age rules of the selected scholarship.
- Present a strong and consistent academic record.
- Study in a field covered by the scholarship route.
- Provide the language evidence required by the degree.
- Obtain institutional support for an Eiffel nomination.
- Submit separate scholarship and degree applications when required.
- Comply with restrictions on duplicate nominations and cumulative awards.
Admission Requirements by Degree
Bachelor’s Admission
Applicants need a recognized secondary-school qualification and must follow the relevant national or international application route. Eiffel, SMARTS-UP and EUR G.E.N.E. are not general bachelor’s scholarships.
French-taught bachelor’s programs commonly require at least B2 French, while individual faculties may impose a higher or more specific standard.
Master’s Admission
Applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree for M1 or the required prior master’s-level study for direct M2 entry. Program selection may assess transcripts, curriculum vitae, motivation, recommendations and an interview.
French-taught programs normally require accepted French evidence, while English-taught curricula specify their own tests or certification. Foreign diplomas and transcripts may require sworn translations.
Doctoral Admission
Applicants need a relevant master’s qualification, a viable research project and acceptance through the appropriate doctoral school. Eiffel doctoral funding requires a joint arrangement with a partner institution abroad.
Application Steps
1. Choose the Exact Program
Identify the Université Paris Cité degree, faculty, study level and teaching language. Confirm that it belongs to an eligible scholarship field or graduate school.
2. Verify the Application Route
Determine whether the academic file belongs on Études en France, Mon Master, eCandidat or a program-specific platform. Follow the university’s instructions for the applicant category.
3. Prepare the Academic Application
Collect diplomas, transcripts, translations, curriculum vitae, motivation letter, recommendations and language evidence. Doctoral applicants should add the required research proposal and supervision information.
4. Request Scholarship Consideration
For Eiffel, contact the relevant Université Paris Cité program because students cannot submit directly to Campus France. Review the official France Excellence Eiffel program before seeking nomination.
5. Submit Separate Files Where Required
SMARTS-UP and EUR G.E.N.E. may require a scholarship file in addition to the degree application. Do not assume that one submission automatically completes both procedures.
6. Complete Admission and Registration
After selection, follow the university’s visa, administrative registration and academic enrollment instructions. Scholarship selection does not replace the obligation to register in the degree.
Required Documents
- Academic application form
- Scholarship application form
- Passport copy
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Bachelor’s diploma
- Master’s diploma
- Academic transcripts
- Sworn translations
- French-language certificate
- English-language certificate
- Research proposal
- Supervisor agreement
- Program nomination
- Enrollment authorization
Practical Tips
- Advice: use the current name Université Paris Cité.
- Advice: verify scholarship eligibility before preparing translations.
- Advice: distinguish academic admission from funding nomination.
- Advice: contact the program, not Campus France, for Eiffel nomination.
- Advice: match achievements to the scholarship’s priority field.
- Advice: provide precise evidence for every academic claim.
- Advice: confirm the teaching language and accepted certificate.
- Advice: prepare independent funding for uncovered Paris costs.
- Advice: do not assume housing is guaranteed.
- Advice: retain copies of every submitted file and message.
Conclusion
A University of Paris Scholarship can provide substantial support through Eiffel, SMARTS-UP or a specialist graduate school. The decisive steps are choosing an eligible Université Paris Cité program, satisfying its admission rules and following the correct nomination procedure.
FAQ
Is the University of Paris still the official name?
The current official institution name is Université Paris Cité.
Does Eiffel cover tuition fees?
The Eiffel program does not itself pay general program costs. Separate French public-institution fee exemptions may apply under national rules.
What does Eiffel provide?
It provides a monthly allowance plus transport, insurance, housing-search and cultural services.
Can students apply directly for Eiffel?
No. A French higher-education institution must select and submit the candidate.
Are bachelor’s students eligible for Eiffel?
No. Eiffel is directed to master’s, engineering and joint doctoral study.
How long does SMARTS-UP funding last?
The published university program normally grants the award for one academic year without automatic extension.
Is accommodation guaranteed?
No. Eiffel includes housing-search support, and EUR G.E.N.E. offers simplified CROUS access subject to availability.
Which language level is required?
The selected program sets the rule. B2 French is common for French-taught study, while some master’s programs require C1.
Can scholarship and master’s applications be separate?
Yes. EUR G.E.N.E. and other routes explicitly require the academic application to be completed through its own procedure.
Where are current Eiffel rules published?
Campus France publishes the official eligibility, benefits, duration and institutional application procedure.