A new academic cycle brings an important opportunity for international students across the Indian Ocean region: the Horizon Excellence Scholarship Program at the University of La Réunion. This competitive scholarship is designed for motivated students aiming to enter a Master 2 program in 2026–2027, with the long-term vision of supporting future doctoral candidates. This news post highlights what the scholarship offers, who can apply, and the deadlines you must follow.
About the Horizon Excellence Scholarship (2026–2027)
The program enables selected students from 16 partner countries to pursue a Master 2 degree at the University of La Réunion—one of the largest French and European universities in the Indian Ocean, known for its strong research culture and high-quality academic environment. The scholarship supports outstanding candidates who wish to develop advanced expertise and potentially continue toward a PhD.
What This Scholarship Offers?
- A monthly stipend of €710 for 10 months (August 2026 to May 2027)
- Access to excellent Master 2 programs in science, engineering, health, humanities, social sciences, law, and economics
- Placement in a highly international academic community with 22 active research laboratories
- The possibility—based on selection and performance—to move into doctoral studies after completing the Master 2
Students are expected to cover their airfare, university registration fees, CVEC contribution, accommodation, and general living costs.
Eligibility Checks
To be considered, applicants must fulfill all the following requirements:
- Must be enrolled in a Master 1 program or already hold a Master 1 or Master 2 degree from a university in one of the 16 partner countries.
- Must apply for a Master 2 program at the University of La Réunion for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Must not be a current or former student of any French university.
- Must demonstrate at least B2 level proficiency in French at the time of application.
- Must show strong academic achievement, clear motivation, and a study plan aligned with their chosen Master’s specialization.
- Must follow the application and interview process through Campus France or Études en France, depending on the country of origin.
Application Deadlines for the 2026–2027 Cohort
For the 2026–2027 intake, applicants must follow a structured timeline. Students from countries without the Études en France (CEF) procedure must submit their applications to their local Campus France office between December 2025 and January 2026, though exact national deadlines may vary.
All Campus France interviews and evaluations must be completed by March 15, 2026, after which teaching committees at the University of La Réunion will finish selecting Master 2 candidates by April 30, 2026, with provisional admissions issued between late February and late March. Final scholarship decisions will be communicated to candidates by May 31, 2026, and successful applicants are expected to arrive and enroll at the University of La Réunion in August 2026.
Applicants from countries with the CEF procedure must also declare themselves as “Candidates for a scholarship call” on the Études en France platform, while adhering to the same official timeline.