French government funds Charpak scholarships. These help Indian students pursue academic aspirations in France. Students can avail of funding for graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. The applications are submitted through the Campus France Scholarships Portal. Recipients are awarded EUR 860 for a monthly living allowance, a tuition fee waiver of up to EUR 5,000, and assistance with finding affordable student accommodation. Let’s explore the benefits, application process, and other details to get you started on this exciting journey!
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Overview of Charpak Scholarships
The France Excellence Charpak Scholarship is a flagship program by the French government in India. It is designed to support Indian nationals and OCI cardholders in pursuing higher education at prestigious French institutions. The scholarship opens doors to exceptional academic opportunities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in public and private universities across France.
The program is structured into four unique sub-categories to cater to diverse academic and research aspirations. These are the Charpak Bachelor Scholarship, Charpak Master Scholarship, Charpak Summer Training Scholarship, and Charpak Exchange Scholarship.
Also Read: Discover how FAFSA scholarships can help fund your education in the USA. Learn about the application process and alternative funding options.
Charpak Scholarship Amount and Benefits
Awardees are recognized as French government scholarship holders (Boursier du Gouvernement Français). They enjoy several financial and practical benefits. The financial assistance is based on the type and level of study. These benefits ensure affordability and convenience for Indian students studying in France. Check out the amount received and other benefits-
Financial Benefits
- Master’s Program: EUR 860 to cover living expenses and tuition fee waivers up to EUR 5,000
- Lab Scholarship Grants: A monthly stipend of EUR 700 for up to two months
- Exchange Scholarships: EUR 860 monthly allowance
- Discounted Meals: Access to university canteens offering EUR 1 meals.
Non-Financial Benefits
- Full exemption from visa and Campus France fees.
- Access to student social security and additional health insurance.
- Assistance in securing affordable student housing.
- Opportunities to participate in social and cultural events organized by Campus France.
Please note that travel expenses to and within France and personal or other miscellaneous expenses are not covered. To cover such expenses, you can apply for a student loan in France.
Types of Charpak Scholarships
The Charpak scholarship program offers four types of funding for Bachelor’s and Master’s level studies. To pursue PhD courses in France, you may apply for the Raman Charpak Fellowship or other scholarships for PhD funding in France.
| Scholarship Type | Level of Course | Duration |
| Charpak Bachelor Scholarship | Undergraduate | Full duration of the bachelor’s program |
| Charpak Master’s Scholarship | Master’s | One or two years (depending on the program) |
| Charpak Exchange Program | Exchange students (semester basis) | Up to 6 months |
| Charpak Summer Program | Students for summer internships | Two months |
Charpak Bachelor Scholarship is for Indian students enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs in France. This scholarship ensures financial and academic support for a robust educational foundation.
Charpak Master Scholarship is ideal for postgraduate students. The scholarship covers master’s programs in France. It offers renewable funding based on academic performance in the first year, enabling students to complete their master’s degrees seamlessly.
Charpak Exchange Scholarship is a sub-program that facilitates semester-long exchanges. This applies to bachelor’s and master’s students studying through partnerships between Indian and French institutions. It is offered twice a year (Autumn and Spring sessions) and promotes academic and cultural collaboration.
Charpak Summer Training Scholarship is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students in fields such as engineering, sciences, management, and humanities. This sub-program supports internships or research projects at French laboratories or universities during summer breaks (May-July).
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements-
- Must be an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder.
- The age should be 23 years or younger at the time of application.
- Completed or enrolled in an Indian senior secondary school (preference given to Indian school graduates).
- Must maintain minimum bank balance for a France student visa.
- Students who study abroad are also eligible.
- Must have applied to a French institution before applying for the scholarship.
- The course must be a full-time bachelor’s program in France.
- If part of the program is in another country, the scholarship will not cover that period.
- Students already studying in France can apply for the second or third year of their bachelor’s program.
- Knowledge of French is not mandatory but is an added advantage.
Also Read: Check out this blog on France visa application fees. Also, learn about visa fees for travel, work, study, and other purposes.
Documents Required
Prepare and upload the following in PDF or JPEG format only-
- Passport-sized photograph.
- Copy of passport.
- CV (maximum two pages).
- Admission/acceptance letter from the French institution.
- Mark sheets and certificates of classes X and XII.
- French language certificate, if any (optional).
- Recommendation letter (optional).
- Mid-term examination results (for students awaiting Class XII results).
Application Procedure
To apply for Charpak Bachelor’s Scholarship, you must follow the given steps-
- Apply for admission to a French higher education institution.
- Apply through the Campus France Scholarship Platform.
- Contact your nearest Campus France office in India for guidance.
Your selection will be based on the application review. The selection committee evaluates based on academic performance, the quality of the Statement of Purpose (SOP), and the overall profile. Plagiarism or the use of AI tools in the SOP will result in disqualification. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed between April 7 and April 25, 2025. Please make sure to appear as the interviews are not rescheduled.
The scholarship may be cancelled if you fail to obtain a visa. Other reasons for cancellation also include receiving another French government scholarship (e.g., Eiffel, Erasmus) or signing an apprenticeship or professional training contract. If you take a gap year, academic exchange, or time abroad, it will also result in cancellation.
Also Read: Check here all about Amsterdam Merit Scholarships to study at the University of Amsterdam. Know eligibility, amount and more.
Charpak Scholarship Deadline
The application deadline are same for the Charpak Bachelor’s and Master’s Scholarship. However, it differs for the exchange and summer programs. Check out the application deadline for the Charpak Scholarship below-
| Charpak Scholarship | Event | Timeline |
| Charpak Bachelor’s Scholarship and Charpak Master’s Scholarship | Application Starts | November 18, 2024 |
| Application Deadline | February 28, 2025 (11:59 PM IST) | |
| Interview Period | April 7 to April 25, 2025 | |
| Results Announcement | Mid-May 2025 | |
| Charpak Summer Training Scholarship | Application Starts | November 14, 2024 |
| Application Deadline | January 24, 2025 (11:59 PM IST) | |
| Results Announcement | Second or third week of March 2025 | |
| Charpak Exchange Scholarship (For Autumn Session- Sept to Dec) | Application Starts | February 26, 2024 |
| Application Deadline | May 1, 2024 (11:59 PM IST) | |
| Results Announcement | First week of June 2024 |
This was all about Charpak Scholarships in France for Indian students. This scholarship program not only provides financial aid but also offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in France’s rich culture and world-renowned educational system.
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FAQs
Indian citizens or holders of an OCI card, aged 30 or younger, with academic credentials from Indian institutions (or equivalent foreign degrees) can apply. Applicants must have secured admission to a master’s program in France, and the course must primarily take place in France.
No, knowledge of French is not mandatory but is considered an asset.
Yes, students pursuing a master’s program in France can apply for funding for their second year.
The scholarship provides a monthly living allowance of EUR 860. Besides, health insurance, student social security, assistance with affordable student accommodation, and meal discounts at university restaurants are covered.
No, the scholarship does not cover travel expenses from India to France or within France.
The Charpak scholarship is exclusively for students pursuing master’s degrees and does not cover PhD programs, thesis writing, or research projects. To pursue PhD courses in France, you may apply for the Raman Charpak Fellowship or other scholarships for PhD funding in France.
Applications must be submitted online via IFI’s scholarship portal. Required documents include a passport copy, CV, admission letter, academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose.
Yes, applicants can submit email correspondence showing they are in the process of obtaining admission. However, the scholarship application should be based on your top-choice institution.
The selection process includes the evaluation of academic records, SOP, and overall profile. Then, online interviews are conducted for shortlisted candidates.
No specific minimum CGPA is required, but the selection process emphasizes academic excellence and profile quality.
Applications typically open in November, with deadlines around February. The results are announced by April or May.
Some public institutions in France may waive tuition fees for French government scholarship holders. It’s the student’s responsibility to confirm this with their institution.
No, previous Charpak Master Scholarship recipients are ineligible for reapplication.
No, the scholarship is available only for full-time master’s programs. It does not cover exchange semesters or internships outside the core curriculum.
If your visa application is denied, the scholarship will be cancelled. It’s important to ensure your documents are complete and meet all visa requirements.
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