France has fewer big national scholarship schemes than you might expect, and our database lists six options for 2026-27. Two are entries for the Eiffel Excellence programme run by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, one covers the wider French Government scholarships managed through the Embassy of France in Pakistan, one is a university award at Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and two are internships at international organisations in Paris: the OECD and UNESCO.
That mix tells you who France suits. If you are aiming for a master's or PhD and have a strong academic record, the Eiffel route and the IPP scholarship are where your effort should go. If you are already enrolled in a postgraduate degree and want policy or international work on your CV, the OECD and UNESCO internships are worth a look, but treat them as experience, not as a way to pay for a degree.
All France scholarships and internships at a glance
| Scholarship | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme | Full / Partial | January 8, 2026 |
| France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | Fully Funded | January 8 (annual), via universities |
| French Government Scholarships for Pakistani Students | Full / Partial | Varies, confirm on official site |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IPP) Master's Scholarship | Full / Partial | May 28, 2026 (3rd session) |
| OECD Internship Programme | Full / Partial | Rolling |
| UNESCO Internship Program (France) 2026 | Partial Funding | December 31, 2025 |
The Eiffel Excellence route for master's and PhD students
Eiffel is the strongest option on this list for a Pakistani student who wants a funded degree in France. We have it in our database as two entries, and each has its own guide, so read both.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme
This entry describes Eiffel as a tool the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs built so that French higher education institutions can attract top foreign students to master's and PhD programs. Funding is listed as full or partial, and the deadline is January 8, 2026. See the full details.
France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
This entry lists Eiffel as fully funded, covering a monthly stipend, airfare, housing assistance, health insurance and cultural activities. The detail that changes your plan is this one: applications are submitted by universities, not by students. The annual deadline of January 8 is the university's deadline. Your own internal deadline at the French institution will come earlier, so you need to be admitted to, or in contact with, a programme well before that. See the full details.
In practice, this means your Eiffel application starts with picking the right French programme. Ask the admissions office early whether they nominate candidates for Eiffel and what they need from you.
Government and university funding
French Government Scholarships for Pakistani Students
This is the one entry aimed specifically at Pakistan. The French Government runs various scholarship programs for Pakistani students, managed through the Embassy of France in Pakistan. Funding can be full or partial depending on the programme, and the deadline varies, so confirm it on the official site before you plan around it. Because it covers several schemes, keep checking the embassy's announcements through the year. See the full details.
Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IPP) Master's Scholarship
IPP offers merit and need-based master's scholarships. The headline award is an Excellence Scholarship of €10,000/year, and qualifying students can also get tuition fee reductions down to €243/year. The listed deadline is May 28, 2026, for the 3rd session, which tells you IPP admits in rounds. Applying in an earlier session is usually the safer bet if you want the best chance at funding. For engineering, science and technical master's applicants, this is one of the more concrete offers on the list because the amounts are clear. See the full details.
Internships in Paris with international organisations
These two are not degree scholarships. They are work placements, and you should judge them that way.
OECD Internship Programme
The OECD places over 700 students annually at its Paris headquarters and other centres. Interns work on policy research in economics, education, environment, governance and other areas. The format can be in-person, hybrid or remote, which matters if you cannot relocate to Paris straight away. Vacancies are posted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year, so there is no single deadline. Funding is listed as full or partial. See the full details.
UNESCO Internship Program (France) 2026
UNESCO offers internships at its Paris headquarters for enrolled master's and PhD students, in education, culture, sciences, communications and social sciences. Placements run 1-6 months with a rolling intake. Our listing marks it as partial funding, but the summary describes it as unpaid, so plan your living costs in Paris yourself. The listed deadline is December 31, 2025. See the full details.
Which French option fits your profile
If you want a funded master's or PhD, put Eiffel first and the IPP scholarship second. Eiffel is the only option here described as fully funded with a stipend, travel and insurance. IPP is narrower but gives you fixed amounts you can budget around. The embassy-managed government scholarships are the third track to watch, mainly because they are aimed at Pakistani students.
If you are already in a postgraduate programme, the OECD internship is the more flexible of the two placements, with rolling vacancies and remote or hybrid options. UNESCO is a good name on a CV, but going unpaid in Paris is a real cost for most Pakistani families, so only take it if you can fund yourself.
Preparing your documents for France
For Eiffel and IPP you are applying through or to a French institution, so your degree documents, transcripts, CV, motivation letter and recommendation letters must be ready before the university starts its own selection. Start on attestations and any translations early, since these steps often take longer than students expect. Our document checklist for international scholarships covers each item, and the scholarships guide for Pakistani students explains how to plan applications across several countries.
For the internships, proof of current enrolment in a master's or PhD matters for UNESCO, and a focused CV tied to a specific policy area will help with OECD vacancies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Eiffel scholarship myself?
No. According to our listing, applications are submitted by universities, not by students directly. You apply to a French master's or PhD programme and the institution puts your name forward by the January 8 deadline.
Is there a French scholarship just for Pakistani students?
Yes. The French Government Scholarships for Pakistani Students are managed through the Embassy of France in Pakistan. The deadline varies, so confirm it on the official site.
How much is the IPP Excellence Scholarship?
It is €10,000/year. Qualifying students may also get tuition reduced to €243/year.
Are the OECD and UNESCO internships paid?
The OECD internship is listed as full or partial funding. UNESCO is listed as partial funding, but its summary describes the internship as unpaid. Check each official vacancy for the exact terms.
Can I do the OECD internship remotely from Pakistan?
The programme offers in-person, hybrid and remote formats, so remote work is possible for some roles. Check each vacancy for its format.
Each scholarship above has its own guide with eligibility, documents and step-by-step application details. Read the guide for the option that fits you, then confirm current dates and terms on the official website before you apply.