FFrench Embassy in the United States, Villa Albertine and France Science
Fully funded
Lafayette Fellowship (partner programme: Sciences Po Lille, Master MTG)
French Embassy in the United States, Villa Albertine and France Science, France
Scholarship overview
The Lafayette Fellowship funds one year of master's-level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students with a strong interest in the transatlantic relationship. It was launched for the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and is designed by the French Embassy in the United States, Villa Albertine and France Science.
Sciences Po Lille is one of the partner institutions. The Master Multilateralism and Transnational Governance (MTG), taught in English, is among its eligible programmes. Candidates may apply to only one partner university and one programme.
Fellows also join the French-American Leadership Program, a year-long series of lectures, masterclasses, site visits and mentorship.
Award Information
- Hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution completed between January 2024 and June 2027.
- Be 27 or younger on 1 July 2027 (no flexibility on age).
- Minimum cumulative bachelor's GPA of 3.70 on a 4.00 scale, no rounding.
- U.S. citizenship is not required; holders of a qualifying U.S. bachelor's degree can apply.
- Admission to a partner institution is required; the award is conditional on it.
- Master's level only; no doctoral programmes. Dual or joint degrees, Diplomes d'Universite and programmes with a mandatory period abroad are not eligible.
- No French is required for the Fellowship, but proof of French is needed for programmes taught in French (Sciences Po Lille requires it for every master's programme except MTG).
- Monthly stipend of EUR 1,500 from July to June (EUR 18,000 for 2027-2028) for living expenses.
- One year of tuition at the partner institution.
- Reimbursement of master's application fees.
- Visa-related fees (pre-consular application, student visa, TLScontact appointment).
- Full and supplementary health insurance.
- One round-trip economy flight between the U.S. and France.
- Costs of travel and activities for the French-American Leadership Program.
- Applications open: 4 September 2026.
- Applications close: 1 December 2026, 11:59am EST.
- Local selection and virtual interviews: December 2026 to January 2027.
- National Jury and announcement of laureates: March 2027.
- Leadership programme: 1-25 July 2027 (Paris and Southern France), then Strasbourg in autumn 2027 and Paris in spring and June 2028.
The next cycle after this one opens in September 2027.
- Check the eligible programmes of the partner university and the programme prerequisites.
- Complete the Lafayette Fellowship application on the Villa Albertine application platform before the deadline.
- Separately apply for admission to the chosen partner university and programme. For Sciences Po Lille, the international graduate procedure opens 15 December 2026 and closes 31 January 2027, with online interviews on 15-19 February 2027 and results on 1 March 2027.
- Fellowship decisions follow in March 2027, conditional on admission.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Personal information and contact details.
- Proof of eligibility.
- Education history with university transcripts.
- Institution and programme you intend to attend in France.
- CV and cover letter.
- Video personal statement.
- Three to four recommendation letters (two academic, one extracurricular).
- French language certificates, only for programmes taught in French.
How selection works
Selection has four stages, ending with a National Jury that chooses 30 Fellows and 30 waitlisted candidates. Applications are grouped into four U.S. zones (East, Midwest, South, West) by the location of the candidate's undergraduate institution to ensure geographic balance.
