Applications are now open for the Idex scholarships at Université Grenoble Alpes to study in France. The Initiative of Excellence (Idex) Université Grenoble Alpes is opening the 2026-2027 Master Scholarship program. The program is open to foreign students (i.e., students currently enrolled in a university outside France, or who have obtained their last degree in a foreign university, or who obtained their baccalaureate abroad even if they later studied in France) who apply to one of the master’s or engineering schools offered by certain academic divisions of Université Grenoble Alpes.
This scholarship program to study in Europe aims to attract outstanding international students for studies at the university. The scholarship program is open to candidates of all nationalities and can provide up to 9,000 euros or 5,500 euros, depending on the academic level, for one academic year (2 semesters). Applicants can either apply to the first year or to the second year of a master’s or to the second or third year of an engineering degree (Ingé 2A/Ingé 3A). The selection of the candidates will take into account their academic records.
Founded in 1339, the Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA – “Grenoble Alpes University”) is a public research university in Grenoble, France. It is one of the largest universities in France, with about 60,000 students and over 3,000 researchers. Listed among the best and most innovative universities in Europe, this university is well known for its research and education in the natural sciences and engineering, linguistics, law, institutional economics, and psychology.
The city of Grenoble is one of the largest scientific centers in Europe, hosting facilities of every existing public research institution in France. This allows UGA to have hundreds of research and teaching partnerships, including close collaboration with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
Program details
- Host institution: Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) in France.
- Fields of study: Master’s and Engineering degrees offered by the eligible academic divisions listed below. Not all diplomas award an IdEx scholarship.
- Number of scholarships: Not Specified.
- Duration: One academic year.
- Target Group: Open to international students meeting the eligibility criteria (primo-arrivants or students with a foreign baccalaureate).
Idex scholarships at Université Grenoble Alpes Benefits
The amount of this university scholarship program to help study in France depends on your academic level. The maximum amount is set per academic year,
i.e. 10 months.
- For the first year of a Master’s degree (M1) or a 2A year, the maximum amount is € 9 000;
- For a second year of a master’s degree (M2) or a 3A year, the maximum amount is € 5 500.
Note : The scholarship is only given for one year, and laureates will have to apply again if they wish to receive funding for a second year (the academic year 2027-2028). If you receive another scholarship, you are required to report it to the IdEx. The total amount of scholarships received cannot exceed the amount allocated by the IdEx. The amount of any other scholarship will be deducted from the amount awarded by the IdEx.
Scholarship Payment Process
The IdEx scholarship is paid in two installments of 50% each.
- A first payment is made in mid-October 2026, after confirmation of the student’s administrative registration, attendance and participation in courses;
- A second payment is made in February 2027, after confirmation of attendance during the first semester and participation in examinations.
Payments are conditional upon the opening of a bank account in the student’s name (French or SEPA zone). The scholarship is not automatically renewable and is valid for one academic year only.
Accommodation Support
As a scholarship holder, you may request assistance in finding student accommodation, subject to conditions. The request must be submitted through the form completed after receiving the scholarship award notification. The request will be forwarded to the relevant housing allocation services (ISSO in Grenoble or the International Relations Department of ESISAR in Valence). Access to accommodation is not guaranteed; however, guidance and advice may be provided.
Note : Receiving an IdEx scholarship does not exempt you from paying tuition fees. Whether or not to waive tuition fees is a decision made by institutions (ENSAG, Grenoble INP, IEP, UGA). Amounts, payment methods, and possible exemptions are defined separately by each academic division. For more information, please contact the person in charge of the master’s program or the master’s program administration.
Eligible Programs
This scholarship program is open to candidates who apply to one of the master’s or engineering schools offered by the following academic divisions of Université Grenoble Alpes:
- École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Grenoble (ENSAG)
- Grenoble INP – UGA
- Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Humanities, Health, Sport and Societies
- Institut d’Urbanisme et de Géographie Alpine (Alpine Geography and Urban Planning Institute – IUGA)
- Faculté de droit de Grenoble (Grenoble Law School)
- Faculté d’économie de Grenoble (Economics Department)
Other Opportunities
Idex scholarships at Université Grenoble Alpes Eligibility
To be considered for this scholarship to Study in France, candidates must satisfy the following criteria.
- The IdEx Scholarship is intended for international students:
- who are primo-arrivants (last degree obtained in a foreign university), or
- who have obtained their baccalaureate abroad, even if they later studied in France.
- The selection is based on the quality of the academic record. The scholarship may be allocated to students entering a first or second year of a master’s degree, or its equivalent in the engineering degree (2A corresponds to M1 level; 3A corresponds to M2 level).
How to Apply for the Idex Scholarships at Université Grenoble Alpes
Those who wish to apply for this scholarship to study in Europe must follow the steps below and apply before the deadline:
- The student must first apply to one of the master’s or engineering degrees offered by the above-mentioned academic institutions. The application must be for the 2026-2027 academic year. Each diploma defines its own application procedures and calendar. Please refer to the presentation page of the chosen diploma for more information;
- The scholarship request is generally made at the same time as the master’s application on the dedicated academic division website. In some cases, candidates may need to contact the program administration or academic coordinator after submitting their Master’s application;
- The academic division selects the scholarship laureates. A waiting list may exist. Scholarship results are communicated shortly after the admission results for the program.
Since the IdEx scholarship is linked to your master’s application, you must refer to the application calendar of the program to which you apply. Applications for the IdEx scholarship are open from March to July 2026 and are processed in order of arrival. The application deadline for the current call is . For any questions regarding applications, candidates are advised to contact the relevant program administration.