The Lafayette Fellowship funds one year of master's-level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students. Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone candidates, the program partners with leading French universities and grandes écoles across STEM, the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts, with degree programs offered in French or entirely in English. Further information is available on the Lafayette Fellowship website.
Conditions of Eligibility
- Be a current senior or have completed your bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution in the past two years.
- Be 27 years old or younger as of July 1 of the year you begin the fellowship.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.70.
- French dual citizenship is allowed.
- There is no language requirement for the Fellowship. However, if your academic program is taught partially or entirely in French, you must provide proof of French language proficiency.
Application Materials
- Candidates must apply for admission to one of the French partner universities in addition to completing a Lafayette Fellowship application. The awarding of the scholarship is conditional upon admission to one of the partner institutions.
- A completed application form and proof of eligibility
- Education history, including university transcripts
- Academic institutions you are applying to and the academic program or degree you intend to pursue in France
- CV
- Cover letter
- Video personal statement
- At least three, but no more than four, recommendation letters, including two academic letters and one extracurricular letter
- French language certificates (with date(s) of issue), only if you are applying for a program taught in French
Application Deadline
Most French universities open their applications from October – January, while the Fellowship portal is open from September 4, 2026, to December 1, 2026.