France
2 Fulbright/Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS) de Rennes Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length12-24 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
Two awards of up to 24 months each are offered to pursue a master's degree program at the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Rennes. Founded in 1994, ENS Rennes was created as a satellite campus of ENS Cachan in Brittany. Since 2013, however, ENS Rennes has been an independent institution. It is one of the top ranked and most highly competitive Grandes Ecoles in France, specializing in Law, Economics, Management, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Mathematics, Mechatronics, Sport Science, and Physical Education.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants are awarded for a maximum duration of 24 months. Grantees must satisfy the academic requirements of the first year of the master's program to be eligible for the second year of funding.
Grants will generally begin on September 1 through August 31 for university attendance. Grantees may also attend an optional summer school prior to beginning the degree program.
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 college seniors and current holders of bachelor's degrees interested in a master's degree at ENS Rennes are eligible 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
ENS Rennes alumni quotes:
"Through Fulbright, I have the opportunity to continue my studies in environmental science and expand my professional network. Living in France has helped me improve my communication skills and has exposed me to new perspectives on environmental challenges and resource management."
"Fulbright has been a life-changing experience, enabling me to pursue a master's degree, advance my French language skills, immerse in French culture as well as explore other cultures by living in Europe. I am deeply grateful for the unique opportunities this grant has provided."
Eligibility
9 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
In the Fulbright online application, please select ENS de Rennes Award from the Award Name drop-down menu.
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.
French language proficiency at the high intermediate level is recommended, commensurate with the requirements of the project. Sponsored language courses are not offered by the Fulbright program in France; however, language courses are offered by ENS Rennes to selected grantees. In the Fulbright online application, applicants must include the 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.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
Interested candidates should first get in contact with the ENS Rennes International Office by sending an updated résumé and short statement of purpose in English or French.
ENS Rennes International Office will forward the request to the appropriate academic department. Candidates will receive a reply directly from the International Office regarding their eligibility, and answers to any questions they may have about the program. Please do not be in touch with department heads directly unless requested.
Approved candidates must include a letter of invitation from the ENS Rennes International Office in their application.
Applicants do not need to apply to ENS Rennes; they will be considered for admission on the basis of their Fulbright application and eventually a phone interview.
Applicants may choose from among the following graduate programs:
Master’s in Public Policy, option Economics
Master’s in Complex Systems Engineering
Master’s in Physical Education and Sports Science
Research Master’s degree in Computer Science (some teaching in English)
Master's in Cybersecurity (in French and English)
Master's in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution
Master's in Environmental, Energy and Transport Economics
Applicants interested in a Master’s degree in Mathematics or Law should have a first graduate-level experience in the field.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
A full tuition waiver to the degree program and optional summer school is provided, as well as access to language instruction if needed, from the ENS Rennes. 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.
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.
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
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
There is detailed information about the cost of living in Rennes in this bilingual (French and English) guide.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The Fulbright Commission provides grantees with a guide to life in France that includes resources and links on finding housing.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Being a Fulbrighter at ENS Rennes: https://www.ens-rennes.fr/international/study-at-ens-rennes/student-experience-ensrennes/bourse-dexcellence-ens-rennes-fulbright-france