Émile Boutmy Scholarship 2026 in France | How to Apply

The application window for the Émile Boutmy Scholarship 2026 closed on 20 January 2026 for undergraduate applicants submitting through foreign secondary school portals. Established by Sciences Po Paris and named in honour of its visionary founder, this competitive, merit-based flagship award is designed to attract top-tier international talent from non-European Union countries to pursue undergraduate or master’s degree programmes in France. Depending on the academic level and applicant profile, funding takes the form of tuition relief—ranging from partial fee reductions of €9,500 per year up to €18,500 annually or full tuition exemptions across the course duration.

Don’t Miss: Top Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

Although the 2026 submission window has officially ended, prospective international candidates can use this downtime to review the eligibility criteria, prepare required tax and academic documentation, and refine their profiles ahead of the 2027 application cycle, which is expected to open in late 2026. Information verified August 2026 from official Sciences Po sources.

Also, Check Out: Top Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Europe

About the Émile Boutmy Scholarship

Sciences Po established the Émile Boutmy Scholarship to attract outstanding international talent from outside the European Union. Named in honour of the university’s founder, the scheme relies on funding from private sponsors, corporate partners, benefactors, and foundations. These sponsors frequently engage with recipients during official networking sessions organised on campus throughout the academic year.

Also Read: How to Write a Personal Statement for Scholarship | Tips and Free Template

The funding functions as tuition fee relief for first-time applicants admitted to eligible degree tracks. Recipients cannot hold this award alongside other Sciences Po or institutional partner funding, though it can be combined with external grants such as the French government Eiffel Scholarship.

Émile Boutmy Scholarship Summary

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for consideration when the portal reopens, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:

• First-Time Applicant Status: You must be applying to Sciences Po for the first time. Returning or current Sciences Po students do not qualify.
• Citizenship: You must hold citizenship in a non-European Union state.
• Tax Residency: Your household must not file taxes within the European Union.
• Admission Status: You must gain admission to a full-time undergraduate or master’s degree programme at Sciences Po.

Key Disqualifiers

Applications are automatically excluded if any of the following apply:

• Applicants holding Swiss or Norwegian citizenship.
• Dual citizens who hold nationality in any European Union member state.
• Master’s degree candidates applying from Quebec.
• Candidates applying to joint degrees, dual-degree tracks, PhD programmes, exchange courses, or one-year master’s options.
• Journalism programme applicants (unless specific partner agreements apply).
• Candidates submitting through the French graduate admission procedure.

Benefits and Award Value

The Émile Boutmy Scholarship provides targeted financial assistance through tuition fee waivers and grants designed to reduce the cost of studying at Sciences Po:

Undergraduate Level

The award for undergraduate candidates takes several tiered forms, determined by the admissions jury during the selection process:

• Standard Tuition Grant: A fee reduction of €9,500 per year applied directly to tuition for all three years of the undergraduate programme.
• Full Tuition Exemption: On an exceptional basis, top-ranking candidates receive a complete exemption from tuition fees for the full three-year duration.
• Combined Tuition & Living Allowance: Selected high-tier awards combine a €7,300 annual tuition waiver with a €5,000 yearly living stipend to help offset accommodation and food costs in France.
• Year Abroad Coverage: During the mandatory third-year exchange or internship abroad, scholars retain their full tuition waiver and any assigned living allowances.

Master’s Level

For graduate studies, the funding structure addresses the higher cost of postgraduate tuition:

• Tuition Exemption: The award provides an exemption of €18,500 per year (or €13,100 to €18,500 depending on the specific faculty fee structure) applied across both years of the Master’s programme.
• Partial Fee Coverage: Secondary award tiers offer partial waivers (such as €5,000 or €10,000 per year) toward total tuition costs.

Renewal Terms and Academic Rules

The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is initially granted for your first year of enrolment and is not automatically guaranteed for subsequent years without meeting strict academic benchmarks:

• Academic Progression: To renew the grant for Year 2 (and Year 3 for undergraduates), you must successfully validate the entire academic year by passing all required course modules and meeting the credit completion limits set by your department.
• Forfeiture Conditions: If you fail to validate your academic year, repeat a semester, or decide to defer your admission offer, the scholarship is permanently lost and cannot be reinstated.
• Transition to Graduate Studies: Undergraduate Boutmy scholars who maintain high academic standing and gain admission into a Sciences Po Master’s track can have their scholarship renewed automatically at the graduate level.

Join Lucy’s Scholarship Mentorship Group

Get step-by-step guidance, live group reviews, and exclusive support to find, apply, and win global scholarships.

Join Now, Let's Waka Together →

Required Application Documents

Preparing your portfolio in advance ensures a smooth submission when the next application window opens. You will need to assemble:

• Completed Sciences Po Online Application: Submitted through the international admissions portal.
• Financial Declaration: The designated financial information section completed with an explicit tick indicating your desire to apply for the Émile Boutmy Scholarship.
• Proof of Income: Tax documentation or official household revenue statements verifying that your family does not file taxes within the EU.
• Academic Transcripts: Certified translations of high school records (for undergraduate applicants) or university mark sheets (for master’s candidates).
• Language Proficiency Credentials: TOEFL, IELTS, or French language test scores meeting the specific requirements of your chosen programme.
• Letters of Recommendation: Standard academic or professional references requested by the online system.

Practical Warning: Ensure that all non-English or non-French documents receive certified translations well ahead of the portal opening. Incomplete financial sections or missing tax records automatically invalidate scholarship consideration without an opportunity for re-submission.

Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

Understanding how Sciences Po evaluates applications helps candidates present a stronger profile:

1. Academic Screening: The committee reviews secondary school performance, university grades, and standardized test results. Academic excellence is the primary selection metric.
2. Social and Diversity Profiling: Selection committees assess candidates to ensure geographic representation and alignment with the financial needs criteria.
3. Sponsor Review: Private donors funding specific grants may review shortlisted dossiers to verify alignment with their designated focus areas or target regions.
4. Final Decision: Results are released alongside or shortly after official admission notifications.

Application Deadline and Timeline

The official deadline for the 2026 cycle was 20 January 2026 for undergraduate applicants from foreign secondary schools.

For the 2027 academic cycle, the application portal is expected to open in October or November 2026, with deadlines likely falling between December 2026 (for master’s applicants) and January 2027 (for undergraduate applicants). Candidates should check exact deadline times and timezones on the portal as soon as dates are announced.

How to Prepare for the 2027 Cycle

Because the 2026 application deadline has passed, prospective students should take these practical steps now to position themselves for the 2027 intake:

• Select Your Track: Identify your intended degree programme at Sciences Po and verify that it is not on the list of excluded joint or dual-degree tracks.
• Standardized Tests: Schedule required English or French language proficiency examinations so your results arrive before the late 2026 submission deadlines.
• Tax Documentation: Request certified tax records or official statements confirming your household’s non-EU tax filing status.
• Application Account: Monitor the Sciences Po admissions website during autumn 2026 to create your portal account as soon as the cycle opens.
• Parcoursup Verification: Students in French secondary schools abroad must follow specific contact instructions with the Admissions Office immediately after validating their Parcoursup choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nigerian and other African students apply for this scholarship?

Yes. Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and all other non-EU countries are eligible to apply, provided they meet the academic admission standards and their household does not pay taxes within the European Union.

Does the Émile Boutmy Scholarship cover living expenses and flights?

No. The Émile Boutmy Scholarship focuses strictly on tuition fee support, offering full or partial fee relief up to €9,500 annually. Recipients must secure independent funding for accommodation, monthly living costs, health insurance, and travel.

Can I combine this award with other grants?

You cannot combine the Émile Boutmy Scholarship with other internal Sciences Po scholarships or partner awards. However, you can hold it alongside external funding sources, such as the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship or awards from domestic governments.

What happens if I miss the application deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. If you missed the 20 January 2026 deadline, your application cannot be evaluated for funding for the 2026 intake, and you will need to apply during the 2027 admissions cycle.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official Émile Boutmy Scholarship website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Émile Boutmy Scholarship / Sciences Po.

Official Application Portal