This is how to Apply to the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon Scholarship in France. This is part of the numerous French government scholarships that are opened for 2025 into 2026.
The École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon in France offers several scholarships and grants to help international students fund their Master’s or PhD studies. Known for its excellence in arts, sciences, and social sciences, ENS de Lyon attracts students from around the world with its generous funding opportunities. Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply for the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon scholarship.
Scholarships for Master’s Degrees
1. Ampère Scholarships of Excellence
Eligibility: Open to all international students enrolling in Master’s programs, except FEADép Master’s programs.
Amount: €1,000 per month for one academic year, renewable under specific conditions.
2. GRADUATE+ Scholarship
Eligibility: Available for the best international students admitted to the Graduate initiatives CORE, DynLifeSys, MathInfi, PACE, or other Master’s programs at ENS de Lyon. This applies to students entering their first (M1) or second (M2) year.
Amount: €1,000 per month for 10 months.
These scholarships are funded under the French government’s SFRI program and aim to support students pursuing advanced education in various disciplines.
Scholarships for PhD Studies
1. Doctoral Contracts
A doctoral contract is a three-year employment contract allowing students to undertake doctoral studies. There are no restrictions regarding nationality or age.
Key Features:
- Employment-based funding.
- More information is available on the doctoral schools’ websites.
2. Co-Funding for Doctoral Studies
The ENS de Lyon offers co-funding for international doctoral students. This program provides up to 50% of the required enrollment amount for a duration of three years. In the case of internationally co-directed theses (cotutelles internationales), funding is provided only during the student’s time at ENS de Lyon.
3. CIFRE (Industrial Convention for Training Through Research)
This unique program connects students, companies, and research laboratories. Students are hired by companies without restrictions on nationality or research areas. Visit the National Association of Technological Research (ANRT) for more information.
4. Foundation and Association Grants
Particularly common in medical research, these grants often require the doctoral student to sign an employment contract with their institution or research center.
5. Research Grants
These grants are awarded to teams working on research projects and typically involve an employment contract. For detailed information, check the websites of doctoral schools and research laboratories affiliated with ENS de Lyon.
Link: https://www.ens-lyon.fr/en/studies/admissions/application-masters-degrees-and-scholarships
Additional Funding Opportunities
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
This program helps French institutions attract top foreign students for Master’s and PhD programs. Other scholarships offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are accessible through the cultural department of French embassies in various countries.
To browse more funding options, visit Campus France’s Grant search engine.
Application Process
Eligibility Criteria
- For M1 (first-year Master’s): Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (180 ECTS).
- For M2 (second-year Master’s): Applicants must hold an M1 degree or equivalent (240 ECTS).
Steps to Apply
- Determine your eligibility for either a Master’s or PhD program.
For Ampere Scholarship, Master’s programs description are available here
For Graduate + Scholarship, Master’s programs description are available here - Visit the official ENS de Lyon scholarship page for application details and deadlines.
- Follow the process specific to your status:
- If you reside in a country part of the “Études en France” process, follow the outlined steps on the ENS de Lyon website.
- If you are a non-European student with a foreign higher education degree, ensure all required documents are submitted correctly.
- Submit your application through the designated portal within the specified timeframe.
Note: Deadlines and additional details are available at ENS de Lyon.
Why Choose ENS de Lyon?
ENS de Lyon is renowned for its high academic standards, innovative research facilities, and commitment to fostering international talent. Whether you’re pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD, the scholarships and funding options available provide unparalleled opportunities to excel in your field of study.
Conclusion
Applying to the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon scholarship is an excellent step toward achieving your academic and professional goals. With a variety of funding options for both Master’s and PhD programs, international students can focus on their studies without financial stress. Start your application today and take the first step toward a brighter future at one of France’s premier institutions.
Read on other scholarships here: Blog.