The France Excellence Quantum Scholarship program

Program Overview

The France Excellence Quantum scholarship funds the mobility of students, doctoral candidates, and young researchers from Dutch higher education institutions in the field of quantum who wish to pursue their studies or conduct research in France. The France Excellence Quantum scholarships are also intended for students and young researchers from French higher education institutions, in the same fields, who wish to pursue their studies or careers in the Netherlands.

 The France Excellence Quantum scholarships are reserved for:

• students or researchers from the Netherlands with a serious, coherent, and motivated plan for a full master’s programme or a research project in France;
• students or researchers from France with a serious, coherent, and motivated plan for a full master’s programme or a research project in the Netherlands.

It is therefore essential to thoroughly consult the Campus France website (French agency responsible for higher education in France) or the NUFFIC website (Dutch agency responsible for promoting higher education in the Netherlands) before applying for a scholarship. For more information on studying in France, please consult this page.

Eligibility criteria

 • Must be a student holding at least a French or Dutch bachelor’s degree, enrolled in a French or Dutch higher education institution, or recently obtained a bachelor’s degree;

• Must be under 35 years old;

• All nationalities are eligible;

• Candidates from the Netherlands without a degree from a French institution or candidates from France without a degree at a Dutch institution. Students, PHD-candidates and / or young researchers who plan to study or do a research project in France or in the Netherlands are eligible.

Eligible themes

Various research projects and master’s programmes at French universities and engineering schools or Dutch universities (applied sciences) in the field of quantum are eligible.

Some examples of study areas and research include:

•Quantum Science and Technology

• Quantum Engineering

• Quantum Technology 

• Quantum Computing 

• Quantum Sensors 

• Quantum Information Science 

• Quantum Cryptography 

• Quantum Communication 

• Quantum Matter 

Benefits of obtaining the ‘France Excellence Quantum’ scholarship

For master’s students or engineering school students:

• Monthly allowance of €860 per month for ten months (September 2025-June 2026);

• Coverage of round-trip travel to the destination.

For PhD candidates and researchers:

• Monthly allowance of at least €1700 per month for a minimum of one month and a maximum of six months (during the academic year 2025-2026).

• Coverage of round-trip travel to the destination.

How to apply for the France Excellence Quantum Scholarship?

Applications are submitted in English via email addressed to Marnix Satter.

Required Documents for the Application

• A CV with a photo.

• A motivation letter specifying how the study project in France or in the Netherlands fits into the student’s academic and professional trajectory.

• Copies of university diplomas and transcripts.

• Two recommendation letters from a professor or professional.

• An enrolment or acceptance certificate if you have already contacted or been accepted by a French or Dutch higher education institution or research team.

Pre-selected candidates will present their application in the form of a pitch (in person or online) before a jury at the French Embassy in The Hague.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to complete all necessary procedures with the chosen French or Dutch higher education institutions or research centers. As registration and administrative deadlines vary from one institution to another, candidates are strongly advised not to wait for the scholarship allocation before contacting the institutions. Please consult the Campus France or the Study in NL page.

The final allocation of the scholarship will only be effective after the acceptance of the laureate by one of the previously chosen French or Dutch institutions. The scholarship award does not constitute or replace acceptance and enrolment at a French or Dutch higher education institution.

France Excellence Quantum scholarships cannot be combined with other scholarships awarded by IFNL, neither by the French, nor by the Dutch government.

Selected candidates commit to attending the training and/or carrying out the research project for which the scholarship was awarded, regularly informing partners about the progress of their stay, as well as participating in certain activities organized around mobility scholarships and the alumni network.

Schedule for Master’s students:

• Webinar on the scholarship programmes of Institut français NL : March 19th

• Application deadline for master’s programs: May 1st, 2025

• Presentation before a jury: mid- May 2025

• Announcement of laureates: before June 2025

• Laureates’ evening at the Residence of France in The Hague; June 30, 2025

Schedule for PhD students and young researchers

There is no deadline for doctoral and researcher applications. Candidates can submit their applications throughout the years 2025 and 2026.

A jury will meet once every quarter to evaluate received applications. The first evaluation will take place in May for project commencement starting from June 2025.

Rewatch our previous webinar on studying in France below: