Ampère Excellence Scholarship
ENS de Lyon — Complete Guide

Scholarship Overview — What Is the Ampère Excellence Scholarship at ENS de Lyon?

The Ampère Excellence Scholarship (Bourse Ampère d'Excellence) is the flagship merit-based international scholarship offered by École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon) — one of France's most elite and research-intensive Grandes Écoles. Awarded to approximately 20 outstanding international students per year, it provides a monthly stipend of €1,000 for 12 consecutive months to pursue a Master's degree across virtually any academic discipline at ENS de Lyon.

The Ampère Scholarship is named after André-Marie Ampère, the French physicist and mathematician born in Lyon who pioneered the science of electromagnetism — a fitting symbol for a scholarship that aims to attract the next generation of world-class researchers. It represents ENS de Lyon's commitment to recruiting international talent at the highest academic level, reinforcing the institution's global reputation as one of the most research-productive universities in France and Europe.

ENS de Lyon consistently ranks 5th in France in the QS World University Rankings (2025), and has ranked 1st in France for Citation Per Faculty Ratio for three consecutive years — a direct measure of the concentration and quality of its research. For international Master's students, this means joining an intellectual environment where the ratio of researchers to students is unusually high, and where direct access to cutting-edge laboratory work from the first year is the norm rather than the exception.

Unlike many French government scholarships which restrict eligibility to specific fields or require institution nomination, the Ampère Scholarship is unique in three respects: it is open to virtually all academic fields at ENS de Lyon, the application form covers both admission and scholarship simultaneously, and it is accessible to both European and non-European international students. This broad eligibility — from mathematics and physics to history, literature, and economics — makes it one of the most inclusive and accessible fully-funded Master's scholarships in France.

In addition to the Ampère Scholarship, ENS de Lyon also offers the GRADUATE+ Scholarship — a closely related award of €1,000/month for 10 months, targeted at students in specific Graduate initiative programmes (CORE, DynLifeSys, MathInfi, PACE) in partnership with other Lyon-area universities. Both scholarships share the same application process and deadline, allowing eligible candidates to be considered for both simultaneously.

Exact Financial Package — What Does the Ampère Scholarship Cover?

Here is a complete breakdown of what the Ampère Excellence Scholarship provides, with context on what each benefit means in practice for international students living and studying in Lyon:

Who Can Apply — Ampère Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

1. Nationality — European and Non-European International Students

The Ampère Scholarship is open to all foreign nationals — both European (EU/EEA) and non-European students are eligible, as long as they are foreign nationals and have obtained their prior degree outside France. ENS de Lyon defines eligibility carefully:

• Non-European students: Students who do not hold the nationality of an EU/EEA country (or Switzerland, Monaco, Andorra) AND who obtained their higher education degree outside France. This includes students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, the Middle East, and beyond.
• European students: Students with the nationality of an EU/EEA country (the 27 EU member states, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein). European nationals with a non-French degree can also apply — though they use a different application form portal.
• Non-European students with a French higher education degree: A third category of students — those who are non-European nationals but have already obtained a degree in France — apply through a separate form. These students may have a tighter eligibility path for the Ampère scholarship; confirm directly with ENS de Lyon's International Student Office.

French nationals are not eligible for the Ampère scholarship regardless of other criteria.

2. Age Limit — Under 26 at the Time of Application

Applicants must be under 26 years old at the time of application. For the 2026–2027 cycle, this means born on or after January 1, 1998. The age limit is strictly applied — students who turn 26 during the selection year are ineligible. This is a stricter age ceiling than most comparable French scholarships (the Eiffel Scholarship allows Master's applicants up to age 29), so younger candidates have a natural advantage.

3. Academic Qualification Requirement

The academic entry requirement depends on the level of Master's you are applying to:

• M1 applicants: Must hold a Bachelor's degree (Licence, 180 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad. Foreign qualifications are assessed by ENS de Lyon's admission committee for equivalency.
• M2 applicants: Must hold a Master's Year 1 degree (240 ECTS) or a foreign equivalent. A strong M1 academic record is essential — M2 places are more competitive, and the scholarship selection for M2 is based entirely on the quality and coherence of the academic dossier.

4. Programme Eligibility

Almost all ENS de Lyon Master's programmes are eligible. The only exclusion is FEADép Master's programmes (vocational/professional apprenticeship tracks). All academic Master's programmes in Exact Sciences, the Arts, and Human and Social Sciences qualify. See the programme section below for the full list of eligible disciplines.

5. Language Requirements

Language requirements vary by programme and are not set universally by the scholarship itself. ENS de Lyon offers programmes taught in English, programmes taught in French, and some bilingual programmes. For English-taught programmes (especially in mathematics, physics, computer science, biology, and some social sciences), TOEFL or IELTS scores may be required. For French-taught programmes, French proficiency is assessed as part of the admissions review. Consult the specific programme page for language requirements — ENS de Lyon's International Student Office cannot provide exceptions to programme-level language requirements.

6. Who Is NOT Eligible?

• French nationals (regardless of other criteria)
• Students aged 26 or over during the application cycle
• Students applying to FEADép (vocational apprenticeship) Master's programmes
• Students applying via email or after the deadline (applications are rejected automatically)
• Students who do not upload all required documents (incomplete applications are not reviewed)
• Students who submit on the wrong form (European vs. non-European vs. non-EU students with French degree — each uses a separate portal)

Eligible Programmes — What Can You Study with the Ampère Scholarship?

The Ampère scholarship covers the full breadth of ENS de Lyon's Master's catalogue — one of the most intellectually diverse among France's Grandes Écoles. Here is a field-by-field breakdown of eligible disciplines:

Check Your Eligibility & Track Your Ampère Scholarship Documents

Use the interactive tools below to check your eligibility for the Ampère Excellence Scholarship at ENS de Lyon, build your document checklist, and explore alternative French scholarships.

How to Apply for the Ampère Excellence Scholarship — Step-by-Step Guide

The Ampère application process has one critical advantage over many other French scholarships: there is a single combined application form for both the Master's programme admission and the scholarship. You do not need to be admitted first and then apply separately. This means your scholarship application is reviewed at the same time as your academic admission — and the same documents serve both purposes.

1. Check the application calendar and set your deadline (November each year)
   The Ampère scholarship application calendar is published each year in November on the ENS de Lyon admissions page. For the 2026–2027 cycle, applications opened on November 14, 2025 and closed on January 23, 2026 at 11:59pm CET. For the 2027–2028 cycle, the calendar will be updated in November 2026. Bookmark the official ENS de Lyon admissions page and set a calendar reminder for November so you can start your application immediately when it opens.
2. Choose your target Master's programme carefully (October–November)
   Before opening the application form, browse the full ENS de Lyon Master's programme catalogue at ens-lyon.fr. Identify the programme that best aligns with your academic background, research interests, and career goals. Read each programme's admission requirements, language of instruction, and specific documents requested. The International Student Office cannot advise on programme choice — this research must be done independently. Choosing the right programme for your profile is one of the highest-impact decisions in the process.
3. Determine which application form you need (critical step)
   ENS de Lyon uses three separate application portals depending on your profile: (a) European students (EU/EEA nationals), (b) Non-European students with a degree obtained outside France, and (c) Non-European students with a French higher education degree. Submitting on the wrong form results in automatic rejection — your application will not be reviewed or transferred. Read the form selection criteria on the admissions page carefully before clicking "Apply."
4. Gather all required documents before starting the form (November–early January)
   Incomplete applications are not considered — and the system does not allow you to save and return to complete later without risk of missing the deadline. Prepare every document in advance. Documents must be in French or English only — documents in other languages require certified translation into French or English. See the Document Checklist tool on this page for the full list. Key documents include: passport, motivation letter, CV, degree certificates, academic transcripts, and proof of current enrolment.
5. Write a compelling motivation letter (the most important document)
   Your motivation letter is the primary document through which the admissions committee evaluates your scholarly aptitude and fit for the programme. It must explain: your academic background and achievements, why you are applying to this specific programme at ENS de Lyon, your research interests and professional ambitions, and — if you aspire to a PhD — your longer-term research goals. One to two pages is standard. Be specific: name researchers or laboratories at ENS de Lyon whose work aligns with yours, and explain the intellectual connection. Generic motivation letters are the most common cause of rejection. Use our SOP Outliner tool to structure your letter.
6. Prepare additional programme-specific documents
   Beyond the core documents required of all candidates, each programme may request additional materials: a research project description, letters of recommendation, language test scores, a portfolio, or other evidence of academic or professional achievement. Check the specific programme requirements on the ENS de Lyon website before finalising your application package. Missing a programme-specific document results in an incomplete application.
7. Complete and submit the online application form (before late January)
   Access the correct portal for your profile, fill in all personal and academic information, upload every required document, and submit before the deadline (11:59pm CET on the stated date). Late submissions are rejected automatically. Submissions by email are not accepted. ENS de Lyon's International Student Office will not pre-validate applications — the responsibility for completeness lies entirely with you. Submit at least 48 hours early to handle any technical issues.
8. Await the admission committee's decision (January–March)
   All applications are reviewed by ENS de Lyon's admission committee. Results for the 2026–2027 cycle were published in mid-March 2026. No results are provided by phone. If your application is accepted for a programme at ENS de Lyon, you will receive a letter of pre-enrolment by email with instructions for the next steps. Scholarship awards are communicated simultaneously with or shortly after admission decisions.
9. Accept your offer and complete pre-enrolment (March–June)
   If accepted, follow the instructions in your pre-enrolment letter. This typically involves confirming your acceptance, submitting any additional administrative documents, and beginning your student visa application. ENS de Lyon's International Student Office provides detailed guidance on preparing your stay in Lyon — visa procedures, CROUS housing applications, campus card registration, and French social security.
10. Arrive in Lyon and begin your studies (September)
    ENS de Lyon organises welcome days at the start of each academic year specifically for incoming international students. Complete your formal enrolment, open a French bank account (required for scholarship payments), and register with CPAM (French social security). Your first €1,000 monthly stipend payment will be transferred to your French bank account in September or October following your enrolment confirmation.

Tips for Winning the Ampère Excellence Scholarship

• Apply in November or early December — not in the last week of January. The admission committee begins reviewing applications as they arrive. Early applications receive more careful, less rushed attention. Last-minute technical problems (file upload errors, portal issues) could also cause you to miss the deadline entirely. Submit at least one to two weeks early.
• Match your motivation letter to the specific ENS de Lyon research environment. The most persuasive motivation letters name specific research units, laboratories, and academic staff at ENS de Lyon whose work connects to your interests. Visit the ENS de Lyon laboratory websites, read recent publications, and cite specific projects or methodologies that excite you. This demonstrates genuine engagement with the institution rather than a generic application.
• Contact the programme coordinator or a relevant professor before applying. A brief, targeted email to a researcher in your area of interest — explaining your background and asking a specific academic question — sometimes results in an internal expression of interest that can influence the committee's evaluation. This is not guaranteed to work, but costs very little and occasionally makes a significant difference in competitive cases.
• Provide certified translations of all non-French/non-English documents. Documents in other languages are not accepted in the original — they must be officially translated and certified. Submitting an untranslated document results in an incomplete application. Allow at least two weeks for certified translation services.
• If you're from the US, Canada, or India, apply for the co-funding bonus simultaneously. ENS de Lyon has specific partnerships with the French Embassy in the USA (Lafayette Fellowship), Canada (Embassy scholarship), and India (Embassy co-funding) that can add financial support on top of the Ampère award. These require a separate application through the relevant Embassy/Campus France office — research these well before December so you can meet their separate deadlines.
• Make your academic distinction concrete and documented. The committee evaluates candidates across all disciplines simultaneously — the strongest signal of exceptional academic merit is a verifiable ranking or award. If your institution provides class rank certificates, Dean's List documentation, or merit award letters, include them. An "Excellent" grade is stronger with a ranking; a ranking is stronger with a contextualising letter from your institution head.
• Apply for backup French scholarships with different eligibility criteria. If your field is in the Eiffel Scholarship's 7 eligible areas, apply simultaneously. The Eiffel cannot be combined with Ampère, but if you win both you choose the better option. Also consider the Paris-Saclay IDEX Scholarship if your field is available there, as it offers a broader range of institutions and a slightly different academic environment.
• If you're applying to a Graduate+ eligible programme, you're automatically considered for both scholarships. Students applying to ENS de Lyon programmes in CORE, DynLifeSys, MathInfi, or PACE streams are considered for the Graduate+ Scholarship (€1,000/month for 10 months) simultaneously through the same form. You do not need to indicate a preference — the committee reviews your full profile for both awards.

After Receiving the Ampère Scholarship — What Happens Next?

Receiving your Ampère scholarship offer in mid-March begins a structured preparation process to get you studying in Lyon by September. Here is what to expect at each stage:

• Pre-enrolment letter: You will receive a pre-enrolment letter from ENS de Lyon's International Office with specific instructions for confirming your place and preparing your arrival. Respond promptly — non-response can result in your place being offered to another candidate.
• Student visa (Type D): Apply for a long-stay student visa at your nearest French Embassy or Consulate as soon as you receive your pre-enrolment letter and scholarship confirmation. Processing times vary by country — allow 4–8 weeks, and apply as early as the consulate's booking system allows (often 3 months before your travel date). Lyon's student visa processing is coordinated through Campus France in your country.
• CROUS housing application: Apply for CROUS university housing through the national CROUS portal (messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr) as soon as your admission is confirmed. Housing near ENS de Lyon in the Gerland area of Lyon's 7th arrondissement is available but competitive — apply by April or May for the best chance. ENS de Lyon's International Welcome Desk also maintains a list of private accommodation partners near the campus.
• French bank account: Open a French bank account before arriving if possible (digital banks such as Revolut, N26, or Bunq can be opened online before you land). You will need French bank details to receive your first monthly €1,000 stipend payment. Provide these to ENS de Lyon's administration team at enrolment.
• Welcome days at ENS de Lyon: Attend the international student welcome days organised by ENS de Lyon at the start of September. These cover administrative procedures, campus orientation, introduction to laboratory facilities, and social events for incoming international students. The ENS de Lyon buddy programme pairs you with an existing student who can guide you through your first weeks.
• French social security (CPAM) registration: Register with your local CPAM within the first month of arrival to access the French public health system. Students under 29 receive Étudiant sociale coverage at minimal cost. ENS de Lyon's social affairs team can guide you through the process.
• Scholarship renewal process (M1 students): If you entered on the M1 track, scholarship renewal for your second year (M2) is assessed by the ENS de Lyon committee at the end of your first year based on your academic results. Renewal is not automatic — you must demonstrate exceptional performance. Begin your second year with the understanding that maintaining high grades is not optional if you wish to keep your funding.
• PhD opportunities: ENS de Lyon's doctoral schools cover all disciplines at the institution. During your M2, actively explore PhD funding — doctoral contracts (contrats doctoraux), CIFRE industrial PhD fellowships, and European Research Council-funded positions are available. Your Ampère scholarship record, combined with direct access to laboratory supervisors, puts you in a strong position for doctoral admissions both at ENS de Lyon and at partner institutions globally.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ampère Excellence Scholarship