France
20 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length8-10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Up to 20 awards are offered for the Fulbright Open Study/Research Grant:
- 8-10 in the hard and life sciences
- 8-10 in the arts, humanities, and social sciences
The Open Study/Research award primarily supports the following grant activities:
- Enrollment in a master's degree in all fields
- Research for a doctoral thesis in all fields
- Projects in the arts and music
We will also consider a limited number of non-degree research projects at the post-Bachelor's or Master's level in social sciences or humanities.
The Open Study/Research award is France's most competitive award. We encourage applicants to explore the specialized award opportunities and apply to the Open Award only if the proposed grant activity cannot be achieved through one of the named awards:
-For applicants interested in pursuing a master’s degree: CY Cergy Paris University Award ; ENS Paris-Saclay Award ; ENS Rennes Award ; Université Grenoble Alpes Award
-For doctoral candidates: University of Bordeaux Doctoral Research Award ; ENS Paris-Saclay Award ; Université Grenoble Alpes Award
-For visual artists and musicians: Harriet Hale Woolley Award
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin on September 1/October 1 to June 30/July 31 for university attendance. Grant periods vary according to an applicant's proposal type as follows:
- Degree seeking MA/MS graduating seniors: 10 months
- Doctoral candidates: 6-9 months
- Artists: 9 months
- Non-degree seeking graduating seniors: 8 months
Degree-seeking candidates may apply to degree programs taught in French or English.
Orientation
Grantees will be required to attend a mandatory 1- to 2-day in-country orientation in late September, and a 2-day mid-year conference in February (organized by the Fulbright Commission in France).
Candidate Profile
Graduating seniors, recent graduates, advanced graduate students, doctoral candidates, and those with previous research experience are encouraged to apply.
Doctoral candidates must not have obtained their PhD before completing the proposed Fulbright grant period in France. Otherwise, they should plan on applying to the scholar program.
Important note: candidates in the hard sciences without concurrent enrollment in a PhD must apply and commit to pursuing a Master's degree in a related field in France. There are many excellent degree programs offered at French institutions of higher education - taught in both French and English - that include as part of the curriculum a research internship (most often, one semester full-time). Our requirement is due to French visa and research regulations. Candidates must specify in their application to which degree program(s) they are planning to apply.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Being a Fulbrighter in France is an unforgettable experience! When not engaged in their project, Fulbrighters enjoy the benefits of the French lifestyle: wonderful food, excellent life-work balance, and enthusiasm for lively debate and discussion. We encourage Fulbrighters to travel the country (and discover its many amazing heritage sites, museums, landscapes, and varied society), and to get involved in community service or other local activities. They are thus able to build strong cross cultural ties between France and the United States.
It is important to note, however, that while the Fulbright Commission is dedicated to assisting Fulbrighters as much as possible to make their transition to France as smooth as possible, Fulbrighters are responsible for securing their own housing and making other administrative arrangements themselves. We recommend that Fulbrighters prepare their stay well ahead of time.
For more information on daily life in France, see: https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/daily-life
Quotes from Fulbright alumni:
"Fulbright made my dreams come true; without the grant, I would never have had the means to go abroad to participate in such impactful, collaborative research amongst world-renowned researchers. Throughout the process, I made friends from around the world; I had never felt so happy and complete before. Through medical school and beyond, I intend to use my language abilities and connections established here throughout medical school."
"My experience with Fulbright taught me confidence, determination, and humility. Most of all, though, it brought me a year of growth, new friends and professional connections, and so much collateral beauty in one of the most magical cities in the world! I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to widen my perspective, immerse myself in new communities, and challenge myself in so many ways."
"My Fulbright journey turned out to be a genuinely life-changing experience, both professionally and personally. This opportunity allowed me to expand my knowledge in my field while building meaningful connections on both professional and personal levels. I will always be grateful for this opportunity."
Eligibility
9 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Additional Information: French language proficiency is recommended, commensurate with the requirements of the project. Sponsored language courses are not offered by the Fulbright program in France; however, candidates are encouraged to check with the host institution for language course possibilities. In the Fulbright online application, applicants should include a Language Self-Evaluation and a Foreign Language Evaluation by a professional language instructor in relation to their language proficiency.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
For candidates applying to degree programs taught in English or who will be conducting research in an English-speaking lab (for example), no particular level of French is expected (although we welcome a commitment to taking language courses prior to departure and/or in country). For candidates applying to degree programs taught in French or who will be conducting research in a French-speaking environment, they should demonstrate at least an intermediate level of French.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
Yes
Affiliation
It is the applicant's responsibility to secure affiliation with a French university or research center. A letter of affiliation should be submitted with the application. If the applicant is enrolling in a degree program, proof of acceptance is not required before or during the application process, but awards are made conditional upon acceptance by the chosen institution before arrival.
Before beginning the application process, candidates should take time to research the best possible place to pursue the chosen course of study, taking into consideration the institution's faculty, achievements, publications, and research.
Candidates who will be applying to university study programs must pay attention to university program application deadlines and requirements. They should also pay particular attention to the requirement of enrolling with Campus France, a mandatory step in the application process. Access the Campus France "Etudes en France" enrollment portal here.
Applicants may also consult the Campus France USA website for general information on visas, studying in France, and French institutions of higher education. Please note that the Campus France higher education directory includes programs offered in French and in English.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Tuition fees for standard public university programs were set at 3770 Euros per year for Master’s programs for the 2024-2025 academic year for non-EU citizens. (Private institutions and other special degree programs may have higher tuition rates.) We encourage applicants to inquire with prospective institutions about scholarships and tuition waivers. Most notably, public universities are able to offer a select number of international students a partial tuition waiver, reducing tuition to approximately 250 Euros for the year for a Master's degree.
Please note that, according to French law, all students are required to pay student fees ("contribution de vie étudiante et de campus" or CVEC) as part of enrollment. In 2024-2025, these fees were 103 euros for the year.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
The monthly stipend depends on location and grant category.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
All Fulbright grantees are given 1200 Euros in travel allowance.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
A mid-year meeting is held every year in February for all Fulbrighters in France.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
- Studio/student/shared accommodation costs about 350-850 Euros per month, depending on location.
- Students may enroll in the French national healthcare system, which provides inexpensive and excellent care.
- Major cities offer public transportation passes at reduced rates for students/youth.
- Expect a monthly food budget of at least 200 Euros.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The Fulbright Commission provides grantees with a guide to life in France that includes resources and links on finding housing.
Music and Fine Arts
Applicants are encouraged to establish contact with specialists in their fields before applying for a grant, and to solicit invitations to study under them. Although the Fulbright Commission in France prefers affiliation with accredited institutions, applicants may be authorized to study with private teachers. Please note that additional personal funds will be needed to cover costs for private lessons, rehearsal facilities, studio space, etc. Musicians and visual artists looking to carry out a project in the Paris area are encouraged to apply for the Fulbright-Harriet Hale Woolley Award.
Sports
In celebration of the transition of the Olympic Games from France (Paris 2024) to the United States (Los Angeles 2028), we have a particular interest in applications studying the Olympics and/or in the fields of sports science and medicine, fitness and physical education, and other related subjects.
Louisiana Candidates
Doctoral candidates enrolled in a university in the state of Louisiana may also be considered for a small supplemental grant from Nous Foundation, a cultural institute promoting French and Creole in Louisiana. They will also be invited to participate in cultural events and networking opportunities with Nous Foundation upon their return to the US.