The PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program helps Filipino professionals who work in academic, research, or government institutions move to France. The awardees are selected based on academic excellence to pursue a masters or doctoral degree in French public higher education institutions under the French Republic Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, and Research. This program is for those who are interested in becoming researchers and specialists in the hard sciences.

Table of Contents
- What are the Scholarship Benefits
- What is PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program?
- What are the Requirements?
- The eligible programs for the scholarship are:
- Application Requirements
- Optional Documents
- Service Obligation and Other Conditions
- How to Apply for PhilFrance DOST Scholarship?
- Philippine Scholarships
- FAQ
What are the Scholarship Benefits
The Department of Science and Technology takes care of this
- A monthly stipend is provided to cover living costs throughout the duration of the program (calculated by the DOST)
- One economy class ticket from the Philippines to the French city of destination.
The Embassy of France takes care of this
- The waiver of enrollment fees for the state-regulated masters or doctorate programs (Diplome National)
- A Healthcare package that includes social security and supplementary insurance.
- Priority access to the CROUS student housing services.
- VVisa fees are exempt from long-stay student visa fees (separate from the VFS processing fee)
What is PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program?
The PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program is a scholarship program between the Philippine government and the French government. This scholarship program is designed to provide opportunities for Filipino students who are interested in studying in France. It covers a lot of different fields, such as engineering, science, math, and social sciences.
What are the Requirements?
Below are the requirements criteria required by the students to apply for the PhilFrance DOST Scholarship:
- Applicants must be Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines at the time of application.
- Must be at least 50 years old at the time of application.
- Good physical health.
- A higher education diploma recognized by the Philippine government that allows enrolment in the chosen degree in France.
- As of September 2023, masters level applicants must have completed their undergraduate programs.
- Excellent academic performance.
- Has the knowledge or skills needed to do higher studies at the host institution in the French Republic.
- Have completed all of the admission requirements for graduate studies at any of the public universities in France, including interview and other screening procedures.
The eligible programs for the scholarship are:
The chosen program must be completed full-time and on-site at a French state-controlled institution. Courses offered by international schools based in France and courses offered at international campuses of French schools are not eligible.
- Duration of study: 24 months (Masters) or 36 months (Doctorate)
- The language of instruction: English, French, or both
Please note that the chosen program must result in receiving a state-controlled diploma from a public educational or research institution.
The following are the priority fields of study. The French Embassy and the Department of State have jointly selected these fields of study for the Scholarship:
- Agriculture
- Bioengineering
- Bioinformatics (Medical)
- Biological Sciences
- Climate Change
- Forestry
- Health and Medical Research
- Material Sciences
- Medical Chemistry
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Nuclear Application on Health
- Nuclear Medicine
- Veterinary Sciences
- Virology
Students are encouraged to select their favorite field of study from the above priority courses and apply for the scholarship.
Application Requirements
French Embassy Requirements
- A one-page CV summarizing your academic, professional, and leadership experience
- An academic essay no longer than 500 words detailing why you wish to study in France, as well as how your experience and degree will benefit the Philippines and Filipino society
- Essays exceeding the word limit will be disregarded
- Please note that we are requesting an academic essay and not a cover or motivation letter
- A complete, official copy of your most recent academic transcripts
- Proof of completed application to the selected degree/French HEI
- Screenshot/s of completed online application via school website or portal
- Screenshot/s of official admission document or e-mail
- Scan of mailed admission letter
- Study plan, curriculum, or academic calendar of the chosen program
- Commonly available on the school’s website or upon request at your HEI’s admissions office
Also Read: OWWA Scholarship
DOST Requirements
- Completed DOST Application Form*
- Budgetary requirements* (with supporting document for bases of rates used)
- Re-entry plan, narrative
- Valid NBI Clearance
- Birth certificate
- Medical certificate as to health status and fitness to study from a licensed physician with his/her PRC license number indicated
- Endorsement from two former professors; college professors for Master applicants, master program professors for PhD applicants
- If employed at the time of application submission, please include these two additional documents:
- Recommendation from Head of Agency/Department Head
- Permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) while on scholarship
- Documents available for download on the Resources page.
Optional Documents
For programs taught partially or entirely in French, proof of French proficiency of at least B2 CEFR
- DELF/DALF diploma
- TEF/TCF results
- Letter from recognized French language instructor
Service Obligation and Other Conditions
Return Service Obligations for Scholarship Awardees
A PhilFrance-DOST grantee shall return to the Philippines immediately upon completion of his/her degree program to render service physically on a full-time basis in his/her sending institution, preferably in his/her field of specialization, for a period equivalent to twice the length of time that he/she enjoyed the MS/PhD scholarship.
Any service rendered before the completion of the scholarship grant shall not be counted/considered part of the service obligation.
Other Conditions
- This scholarship program will adopt the existing policies on foreign scholarships implemented by DOST-SEI;
- The qualified applicant will pursue MS or PhD Program on a full-time basis for a maximum period of 24 or 36 months, respectively;
- Officially enroll as full-time graduate student;
- Not avail or enjoy any other scholarships;
- Must have a full-time commitment to the scholarship and must not engage in any form of employment during the scholarship period;
- Required internships (stages obligatoires) within the academic year are allowed
- Be willing to render the required service obligation equivalent to the length of time the scholar enjoyed the scholarship-two years of service for every year of scholarship or a fraction thereof;
- Non-completion of degree or failure to render service, preferably in his/her sending institution, may be a ground for refund in full the total financial assistance received with 12% interest to the DOST-SEI; and the salaries and other remunerations, if there is any, to his/her sending institution; and
- Fulfil the conditions set down by the Parties for the implementation of the PhilFrance-DOST Fellowship Program in accordance with regulations and the existing academic calendar in both countries.
How to Apply for PhilFrance DOST Scholarship?
It is highly recommended that applicants to the PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program, particularly those at the doctorate level, read the FAQ page to understand more about the Ph.D application process in France.
Interested applicants may visit the PhilFrance DOST Scholarship website to apply for a scholarship. Visit the above link to apply for the scholarship and to learn more about it.
PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program deadline – April 4, 2023
Philippine Scholarships
- CHED Scholarship
- Dost Scholarship requirements
- Scholarship Programs in the Philippines for Graduate Studies
FAQ
Source: PhilFrance Scholarships