France and Belgium—home to globally respected universities and research institutions—offer some of Europe’s best fully funded engineering scholarships. These scholarships are open to international students at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels across various engineering disciplines: electrical, mechanical, civil, AI, aerospace, materials science, robotics, and more.
Below is a curated guide to the top scholarship opportunities in France and Belgium for 2025, including full tuition coverage, monthly stipends, and funded research placements.
FRANCE: Top Engineering Scholarships for 2025
1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Fields: All engineering disciplines, including civil, electrical, energy, and environmental
- Coverage:
- Monthly stipend: €1,181 (Master’s), €1,700 (PhD)
- Full tuition, international travel, health insurance, and cultural activities
- Eligibility: Non-French nationals under 25 (Master’s) or 30 (PhD)
- Deadline: January 2025 (university nominates applicants)
The Eiffel Scholarship by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is the most prestigious French government award for international students in science and engineering.
2. École Polytechnique Foundation Scholarships
- Level: Master’s in Science & Technology
- Fields: Engineering, AI, Energy, Smart Cities, Robotics
- Coverage: Full tuition waiver + €4,000 to €10,000 stipend
- Eligibility: International students with excellent academic profiles
École Polytechnique is France’s top-ranked engineering institution. These scholarships support students enrolled in elite interdisciplinary engineering master’s programs.
3. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship
- Level: Master’s
- Fields: Electrical, Mechanical, Nuclear, Energy Engineering
- Coverage:
- €10,000/year scholarship + up to €1,000 travel and visa costs
- Eligibility: Non-EU international students
- Deadline: April–May 2025
This scholarship supports top-tier international students in France’s most research-intensive university cluster, which partners with major institutions like CEA, CNRS, and INRIA.
4. IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom) Scholarships
- Level: Master’s in Engineering & Digital Technologies
- Coverage: Full tuition + monthly stipend depending on financial need
- Eligibility: International students applying to any IMT school (e.g., Télécom Paris, Mines Nancy)
IMT schools focus on digital, telecommunication, energy, and industrial systems. Scholarships are co-funded with companies and public bodies.
5. INSA Lyon – Ampère Excellence Scholarships
- Level: Master’s
- Fields: Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Sustainable Engineering
- Coverage: Tuition waiver + monthly living allowance
- Eligibility: Non-EU students with outstanding academic records
INSA Lyon is part of France’s prestigious “Grandes Écoles” network. The Ampère program attracts students committed to research-driven engineering studies.
BELGIUM: Top Engineering Scholarships for 2025
6. VLIR-UOS Scholarships – Flanders, Belgium
- Level: Master’s in Engineering, Water Resources, and Tech Innovation
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend (€1,150), travel, insurance
- Eligibility: Citizens of eligible countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
- Deadline: February–March 2025
VLIR-UOS is one of the most generous programs for students from the Global South, offering top programs at KU Leuven, VUB, UGent, and Hasselt University.
7. Science@Leuven Scholarships – KU Leuven
- Level: Master’s
- Fields: Artificial Intelligence, Sustainable Engineering, Nanotech
- Coverage: Up to €10,000/year (tuition + living costs)
- Eligibility: Exceptional international students (non-EU)
- Deadline: February 2025
KU Leuven is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. The Science@Leuven Fund supports top students in technology and engineering sciences.
8. ARES Scholarships (Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur)
- Level: Advanced Master’s and Continuing Education
- Fields: Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy, Civil Works
- Coverage:
- Tuition fees + €1,200/month stipend + travel
- Eligibility: Citizens of developing countries
- Deadline: January–February 2025
ARES awards aim to support engineers and technical professionals from the Global South working on sustainable development and engineering solutions.
9. VUB B-PHOT Excellence Scholarships – Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Level: Master’s in Photonics Engineering
- Coverage:
- Full tuition waiver + up to €10,000 performance-based stipend
- Eligibility: Non-EU students applying for Master of Science in Photonics
Ideal for students focused on optics, sensors, and light-based engineering applications. VUB is a leading European center for photonics research.
10. University of Liège – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Sustainable Materials (SUMA)
- Level: Erasmus Mundus Master
- Fields: Sustainable Materials Science, Circular Engineering, Green Manufacturing
- Coverage: Full tuition + €1,400/month stipend + travel
- Eligibility: Open to students worldwide
This EU-funded program rotates students between partner universities in Belgium, France, Germany, and more. Focuses on eco-friendly materials engineering and clean production.
Additional Tips for Applicants
- Start early: Most scholarships have deadlines between December and March.
- Language: Many programs are taught in English, but basic French or Dutch may help for integration.
- Required Documents: Strong academic transcripts, motivation letter, recommendation letters, and sometimes proof of leadership or development work.
Closing Insight
France and Belgium offer some of the most attractive fully funded scholarships for engineering students, combining academic prestige with generous living support. Whether you’re interested in clean tech, software systems, civil infrastructure, or advanced robotics, 2025 is a promising year to pursue a world-class degree in Western Europe without financial barriers.