Scholarship Guides French Government Scholarships (BGF): How to Apply
France · Application Guide
The Bourse du Gouvernement Français (BGF) is France's bilateral government scholarship. It funds studies, internships, language training and artist residencies for foreign students from priority countries. There is no central application. Everything goes through the French Embassy (its SCAC department) and the Campus France office in your home country, which set their own deadlines, criteria and quotas. This is the embassy-channel programme, distinct from the Eiffel Excellence programme, which is filed by French institutions.
Administered by: The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), administered locally by the French Embassy's Cooperation and Cultural Action Department (SCAC)
Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 3 September 2026
The BGF is country-specific: contact the Cooperation and Cultural Action Department (SCAC) of the French Embassy or the local Campus France office to confirm whether BGF scholarships are offered for your country, the fields covered, and the exact deadlines.
Depending on your level, go through the appropriate admission channel (e.g. Campus France procedures, Études en France for pre-enrollment, or direct admission for internships/language training) and obtain an offer of admission where required.
Complete the embassy's BGF application (form, CV, academic records, motivation, letters of recommendation) and submit it before the local deadline. The call is typically published by the embassy in autumn-winter, with decisions in spring.
The embassy's SCAC reviews applications, sometimes interviews shortlisted candidates, and selects the awardees within its quota.
Awardees complete the Campus France visa procedure and arrive in France for the start of the academic year (September).
Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.