Applicants must be 27 years old or younger as of July 1, 2026 and in possession of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution (completed between January 2023 and June 2026) with a GPA of no less than 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Knowledge of French is not required for acceptance into the Lafayette program. 

Candidates must apply for admission to one of the French partner universities in addition to completing a Lafayette Fellowship application. The awarding of the scholarship is conditional upon admission to one of the partner institutions.

• Graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

Designed to support the next generation of young leaders with a strong interest in the transatlantic relationship, the Lafayette Fellowship funds 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.

For a more comprehensive view of the guidelines, go here.

For any questions, please contact lafayettefellowship@villa-albertine.org.