Entries open for France Excellence Scholarship Program (Philippines)

In 2025, the PhilFrance Program has been rebranded under the France Excellence label. Subsequently, the two scholarships under the program have been renamed the France Excellence Philippines and the France Excellence-DOST.

Types of Program

• The France Excellence
  • The France Excellence grant is a successor of the PhilFrance Scholarship conceived by the French Embassy in 2016 to mark 70 years of French-Filipino diplomatic relations. This initiative aimed to provide exceptional Filipino students the opportunity to obtain higher education in France every year.
• The France Excellence – DOST
  • The France Excellence – DOST (formerly PhilFrance-DOST) is a comprehensive scholarship crafted for future leaders and key players in the Philippines’ growing research and development sector. Co-funded by the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute, this scholarship is open to students admitted into a graduate program issuing a diplôme national in an M1, M2, or doctorate degree.

Benefits

• The France Excellence
  • Other costs distinct from the frais d’inscription (such as frais de formation, purchases of educational resources, pedagogical activity fees, etc.) will be shouldered by the grantee.
  • Assistance in obtaining student accommodation at a preferential rate via the CROUS housing network
  • Exemption from the CVEC (Contribution de Vie Étudiante et de Campus/Student and Campus Life Contribution) after obtention of certificate of exemption
  • A healthcare package consisting of social security coverage and supplementary insurance (mutuelle)
  • Discounted rates for cultural activities organized by Campus France
  • Economy class ticket from Manila to the French city of destination, including a return ticket of the same class upon completion of the study program. Taxi & shuttle fares and public transport fees are not covered.
  • Exemption from long-stay student visa fees (distinct from TLS Contact processing fee)
• The France Excellence – DOST
  • Care of the Department of Science and Technology – SEI
    • A monthly stipend to cover living costs throughout the program (calculated by the DOST).
    • An economy class ticket from Manila to the French city of destination, including a return ticket of the same class upon completion of the study program.

Funding Information

• The France Excellence
  • A monthly stipend of EUR 860 for master’s students or EUR 1,770 for doctorate students regardless of city of residence.
  • Coverage of enrolment fees for master’s programs under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Higher Education (Diplôme National) up to EUR 3,879 per academic year for master’s or EUR 391 for doctorate programs (frais d’inscription).
• The France Excellence – DOST
  • Coverage of enrolment fees for master’s programs under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Higher Education (Diplôme National) up to EUR 3,879 per academic year for master’s or EUR 391 for doctorate programs (frais d’inscription).
• Duration:
  • Master’s: 18 to 24 months (including mandatory internship) beginning in academic year 2025.
  • Doctorate: at least 36 months beginning in the academic year 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant Eligibility
  • The France Excellence
    • Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines at the time of application.
    • Graduates or graduating students of a recognized Philippine Higher Education Institution.
    • Master’s/Ph.D. applicants must have completed their undergraduate/master programs by September in the intended year of studies for master’s.
  • The France Excellence – DOST
    • Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines and not more than 50 years of age at the time of application.
    • Graduates or graduating students of a recognized Philippine Higher Education Institution.
    • Master’s/Ph.D. applicants must have completed their undergraduate/master programs by September in the intended year of studies for master’s.
    • Applicant in good physical health, demonstrating excellent academic performance and has knowledge or expertise required to carry out higher studies within the host establishment in the French Republic.
    • Applicant having completed the admission requirements for graduate studies in the selected French HEI (i.e. interviews, other screening procedures.
• Program Eligibility
  • Course: 100% on-site programs that lead to obtaining a Diplome National or a state diploma. Note that not all programs offered in public institutions result in a Diplôme National.
  • Language of instruction: English, French, or both.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Programs offered by non-French schools on campuses based in France
• Programs offered by French institutions in extra-France campuses
• Dual diploma or joint master’s degrees (e.g. Erasmus programs)
• Vocational and technical courses (culinary arts short courses, fashion design workshop, etc.)

Application Requirements

• Personal Documents
  • A one-page CV summarizing your academic, professional, and leadership experience
  • A scan of the data page of a valid passport
  • An academic essay no longer than 500 words detailing why you wish to study in France, as well as how your experience and degree will benefit the Philippines and Filipino society. Applications with essays exceeding the word limit will be disregarded. Please note that they are requesting an academic essay and not a cover or motivation letter
  • A complete, official copy of your most recent academic transcripts
  • Proof of financial resources, such as:
    • Bank statements
    • Bank certificates
    • Most recent Income Tax Return statement
• Study Program Information
  • Proof of completed application to the selected degree/French HEI
    • Screenshot/s of completed online application via the school website or portal
    • Screenshot/s of official admission document or e-mail
    • Scan of mailed admission letter
    • For Ph.D applicants, a letter from the research director or head of research department
  • Study plan, curriculum, or academic calendar of the chosen program. This is commonly available on the school’s website or upon request at your HEI’s admissions office
• Optional Requirements
  • For programs taught partially or entirely in French, proof of French proficiency corresponding to the level required by the study program (at least B2)
    • DELF B2/DALF C1 or C2
    • Valid TEF/TCF results
    • Letter from a recognized French language instructor
  • If applicable, letter/s of acceptance, proof of application to other scholarship programs that are not classified as Scholarships from the French Government (Bourse du Gouvernement Français – BGF)
• DOST-SEI Requirements
  • Accomplished DOST Application Form
  • Budgetary requirements (with supporting document for bases of rates used)
  • Narrative re-entry plan
  • Valid NBI Clearance
  • Birth certificate
  • Medical certificate attesting to health status and fitness to study, indicating the PRC license number of an authorized physician
  • Letters of endorsement from two former professors; college professors for Master applicants, master program professors for doctorate applicants
  • If employed at the time of application submission:
    • Recommendation from head of agency/department head
    • Leave of absence authorization (LOA) while on scholarship.

For more information, visit Campus France Philippines.