Villa Albertine Lafayette Exchange Fellowship 2026–27 in France
- Omran Aburayya
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’re a U.S.-based student looking to elevate your future with a year of study in France and a fully funded leadership experience — great news: the application for the Lafayette Fellowship 2026–27, offered by Villa Albertine, is now open! Here’s what you need to know
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: France (various major French cities), study at partner French institutions.
Host Institution: A selection of leading French universities and institutions in partnership with Villa Albertine.
Study Level: Master’s-level (one year) for U.S. citizens.
Target Group: Outstanding U.S. students (American citizens) with an interest in the transatlantic relationship.
Fields of Study: STEM, humanities, social sciences, arts; with an emphasis on global challenges (environmental sustainability; health & biotechnology; peace & security; social equity/democracy; digital technologies & AI).
Value & Coverage:
A monthly stipend of €1,500 from mid-July 2026 through end of June 2027.
Full tuition at the French partner institution.
Visa fee waiver (student visa) for one academic year.
Application fee waivers for participating French master’s programs.
Round-trip airfare to/from France.
Coverage of travel costs and activities related to the leadership programme.
Duration: One year (July 2026 – June 2027).
Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET).
Start Date: Mid-July 2026 for the academic year and leadership program kick-off.
Eligible To: U.S. citizens (American students) with a bachelor’s degree, under certain age criteria (see eligibility below)
📚 Fellowship Programme Overview
The Lafayette Fellowship isn’t just about one year of study — it includes an immersive leadership development component. After being selected, fellows will enroll in a master’s programme at a French institution (either in French or English) and simultaneously participate in the French‑American Leadership Program, which features:
Lectures and masterclasses in cutting-edge fields where France plays a leading role (innovation, policy, AI, etc.).
Visits to research labs, scientific facilities, European institutions (including a trip to Strasbourg) and cultural itinerary (including events like the Avignon Theater Festival).
Mentorship: each fellow is paired with a prominent French figure in business, government, culture or academia aligned with their goals.
Programme schedule highlights:
Kick-off in July 2026 in Paris and southern France.
Mid‐December 2026: one-week gathering in Strasbourg.
June 2027: closing event and three-day programme in Paris.
💲 Benefits
Full financial support: tuition, visa, living stipend, travel, programme activities.
High monthly stipend (€1,500) to support living expenses.
Application and visa fee waivers reduce financial barriers.
Exceptional leadership/travel/cultural experience embedded into the fellowship.
Unique transatlantic network: U.S.–France, leading institutions, mentorship and cohort experience.
Opportunity to study in France (either in French or English) which broadens academic and cultural horizons.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
While you’ll want to check the official site for full details, key criteria include:
U.S. citizenship.
Possession of a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) by the time of matriculation.
Age limit: for this edition the fellowship supports “young leaders” — for example, one source states under age 27 as of July 1, 2026.
Strong interest in the transatlantic (U.S.–France) relationship and global-challenge themes (sustainability, biotech, AI, etc.).
Ability to be admitted to a partner French master’s programme (and meet the academic and language requirements of that programme).
Note: Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone applicants; courses may be taught in French or entirely in English.
📝 Application Procedure
Launch your application via the online portal.
Submit the full application by November 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET).
After submission: local selection and online interviews (Dec 10 2025 – Jan 15 2026) followed by national jury in end of January 2026; final announcement in February 2026.
If selected, attend the July 2026 leadership kickoff in France and begin your master’s programme.
The application has four sections:
Applicant Information
Academic Background
Academic Plan
Required Documents and References
👌🏻 Tips
Highlight how your aims align with both France-U.S. relations and one of the global challenge areas (sustainability, biotech, AI, etc.).
Demonstrate readiness for living and studying in France (cultural adaptability, language skills even if programme is in English).
Identify early which French institutions and master’s programmes you might apply to (and ensure they are partner institutions).
Ensure references (academic/professional) can speak to your leadership potential and your interest in transatlantic topics.
Submit before the deadline (time zones matter: U.S. ET).
ℹ️ Extra Information & Unique Notes
The number of fellows supported is up to 30 outstanding American students.
The French institution partner list covers ~15 institutions across 8 major French cities.
The leadership component includes cultural immersion (e.g., the Avignon Theater Festival) as part of the experience — a valuable dimension for students keen on arts/culture as well as research/policy.
Be mindful of currency and value: The stipend (€1,500/month) is in euros; living costs in France vary by city (Paris vs. smaller city) so candidates should budget accordingly.
Since the fellowship includes visa fee waivers and airfare, candidates should make sure they meet travel/visa eligibility standards (and have a valid passport).
