The French Embassy in the United States is launching the Lafayette Fellowship, a new scholarship program designed to support the next generation of young leaders with a strong interest in the transatlantic relationship.
Launching on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and celebrating the French-American friendship, the Lafayette Fellowship will fund one year of master’s level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students.
Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone candidates, the initiative will partner with top French higher education institutions that offer programs across STEM, the humanities, social sciences, and the arts, either in French or entirely in English.
In addition to their academic studies, fellows will take part in the French-American Leadership Program, a dynamic, year-long experience featuring lectures, masterclasses, site visits, and mentorship support, offering a 360-degree immersion into European innovation, culture, and policy.
This annual program aims to deepen academic and cultural exchange between France and the U.S. and nurture future leaders committed to strengthening the transatlantic relationship. It also strives to spread awareness about France’s many internationally ranked universities and academic excellence programs taught in English.
The Fellowship will encourage reflection on major global challenges, such as environmental challenges and sustainable transition; health and biotechnology; peace and security; social equity and democratic issues; digital technologies; and artificial intelligence.
For updates on the Lafayette Fellowship, please visit:lafayette.villa-albertine.org
— The program will support up to 30 outstanding American students under the age of 27 (as of July 1, 2026). — Applicants must be in possession of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution (completed between August 2023 and June 2026) with a GPA of no lower than 3.7. — Knowledge of French is not required for acceptance into the program.
This Fellowship is open to students in STEM, the humanities, social sciences, and the arts, with an interest in addressing global challenges – from sustainable transitions, health, and biotechnology, to peace, security, and AI – in a French-American context.
The Lafayette Fellowship provides unique access to internationally ranked programs within top French institutions across the country, including *:
— Aix-Marseille University (Marseille)— Côte d’Azur University (Nice)— Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (Lyon) — Ecole Polytechnique (Palaiseau)— ISAE-SUPAERO— HEC Paris (Jouy-en-Josas)— Paris Cité University (Paris)— Paris-Saclay University, including AgroParis Tech, CentraleSupélec, and École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay: Institut d’Optique as well as Versailles University and Evry — University (campuses in the South of Paris)— PSL University, including Ecole Nationale des Chartes; Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs / School of Decorative Arts; Ecole Normale Supérieure; Paris-Malaquais — School of Architecture; Paris School of Artificial Intelligence; and University Paris-Dauphine (Paris)— Sciences Po Paris – Paris Climate School (Paris)— Sorbonne University (Paris)— Toulouse School of Economics (Toulouse)— University of Bordeaux (Bordeaux)— University of Grenoble Alpes (Grenoble)— University of Strasbourg (Strasbourg)
Alongside academic coursework, fellows will benefit from the French-American Leadership Program. This immersive experience includes the following opportunities:
— Attend conferences and masterclasses in fields where France is at the forefront. — Meet world-renowned French leaders and top researchers. — Visit leading labs and scientific facilities to explore innovative solutions to global challenges. — Take part in a rich cultural itinerary, including internationally renowned events, such as the Avignon Theater Festival. — Travel to Strasbourg, the seat of European institutions, and to Paris to gain insights into Europe’s role on the global stage.
Fellows will also benefit from a mentorship program, each paired with a prominent French figure in business, government, culture, or academia aligned with their professional goals.
Funding covers tuition, living expenses, travel, program activities, and administrative costs. The Fellowship offers full funding for one year of master’s-level study in France.
— Apply Now.— Candidates must apply for admission to one of the partner institutions as well as complete a separate Lafayette Fellowship program application. The awarding of the scholarship is conditional upon admission to one of the partner institutions.— Application materials include a transcript, cover letter, resume, personal statement in a video format, and three letters of recommendation, including two academic letters and one extracurricular letter. A full list of guidelines will be available on our website when applications open in late August.— Candidates will be evaluated on their academic history, leadership potential, and dedication to and understanding of the French-American relationship.
We strive for a representative cohort in terms of students’ backgrounds, academic disciplines, individual projects, and geographic representation across the United States.
Please address any questions to lafayettefellowship@villa-albertine.org.
The Lafayette Fellowship is designed by the French Embassy in the United States, Villa Albertine, and France Science.