The Lafayette Fellowship

Deadline

Overview

Designed to support the next generation of young leaders with a strong interest in the transatlantic relationship, the Lafayette Fellowship will fund one year of master’s-level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students.

Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone candidates, the program partners with leading French academic institutions across STEM, humanities, social sciences, and the arts, with courses taught in French or entirely in English.

In addition to their academic studies, fellows will also join the French-American Leadership Program – a year-long series of lectures, masterclasses, site visits, and mentorship – offering full immersion in European innovation, culture, and policy. 

The program aims to deepen academic and cultural exchange between France and the U.S. and nurture future leaders. The Fellowship will encourage reflection on major global challenges, such as environmental challenges and sustainability; health and biotechnology; peace and security; social equity and democratic issues; digital technologies; and artificial intelligence.

Benefits

The Lafayette Fellowship provides:

• A €1,500 monthly stipend from mid-July 2026 through the end of June 2027 to cover living expenses
• One year of tuition at a partner French institution for eligible programs
• Application fee waivers for French academic institutions and master’s programs
• Student visa fee waivers for one academic year 
• A round-trip flight to and from France at the start and end of the program
• Coverage of travel costs and activities related to the French-American Leadership Program

Alongside their academic coursework, fellows will participate in the French-American Leadership Program, an immersive leadership development experience offering opportunities to:

• Attend conferences and masterclasses in fields where France is at the forefront.
• Meet world-renowned French leaders and top researchers. 
• Visit leading labs and scientific facilities to explore innovative solutions to global challenges.
• Take part in a rich cultural itinerary, including internationally renowned events, such as the Avignon Theater Festival.
• Travel to Strasbourg, the seat of European institutions, and to Paris to gain insights into Europe’s role on the global stage. 

Fellows will also benefit from a mentorship program, each paired with a prominent French figure in business, government, culture, or academia aligned with their professional goals.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution (completed between August 2023 and June 2026).
• Be under 27 years old as of July 1, 2026. There is no flexibility permitted with respect to the age requirement.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale, no rounding).

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the official Felllowship portal by no later than 11:59 PM ET on November 30, 2025. Email or postal applications will not be accepted.

For more information on the Application process, please see that on their FAQ page: https://lafayette.villa-albertine.org/faq/ 

To be considered for the Fellowship, applicants must submit the following materials via the application platform no later than 11:59 PM ET on November 30, 2025: 

• General information: personal information, nationality, and contact details 
• Proof of eligibility 
• Education history, including university transcripts 
• Academic institutions you are applying to and the academic program or degree you intend to pursue in France 
• CV 
• Cover letter 
• Video personal statement 
• At least three, but no more than four, recommendation letters, including two academic letters and one extracurricular letter 
• French language certificates (with date(s) of issue), only if you are applying for a program taught in French