France Open Study/Research Award

The Fulbright France Open Study/Research Award offers up to 20 grants annually for U.S. students to pursue research, graduate study, or creative projects in France. The program allocates 8-10 awards in the hard and life sciences and 8-10 in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. This is France's most competitive Fulbright award and primarily supports enrollment in master's degree programs across all fields, research for doctoral theses, and projects in the arts and music. A limited number of non-degree research projects at the post-Bachelor's or Master's level in social sciences or humanities are also considered. The grant period runs 8-10 months starting in fall, with specific durations varying by project type: 10 months for MA/MS degree-seeking graduating seniors, 6-9 months for doctoral candidates, 9 months for artists, and 8 months for non-degree seeking graduating seniors. Grantees receive a monthly stipend of 1,250-1,800 Euros based on location and grant category, plus a one-time 1,200 Euro travel allowance. The program requires grantees to attend a mandatory 1-2 day orientation in late September and a 2-day mid-year conference in February organized by the Fulbright Commission in France. Applicants must secure their own affiliation with a French university or research center, and degree-seeking candidates must be accepted to their chosen institution before arrival.