Lyon offers scholarships to students.

Lyon became a major research centre in Europe during the 2026 academic cycle. Lyon-based schools like ENS de Lyon, INSA Lyon, and Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 offer high-value excellence scholarships that reward both hard work in school and career goals. Your focus is on your plan for Lyon’s Graduate+ and Ampère programs, which aim to attract international talent in the humanities and sciences.

To get these scholarships, you need your National Identity Number (NIN) and clear digital copies of your school records for the identity check needed by the Campus France “Études en France” process.

1. Top “Excellence” Scholarships in Lyon

These awards are designed for high-achieving international students and often provide substantial monthly stipends that cover the majority of living costs in Lyon.

• AmExcellence Scholarships (ENS de Lyon):
  • Status: Some programme Status: For the 2026 cycle, some programs have a longer window, until April 20, 2026. The next big cycle for the 2027 intake is starting.
  • Value: €1,000 a month for 12 months, which can be renewed for Year 2.
  • • Goals: Master’s degrees in the arts, exact sciences, and human and social sciences.
• • University of Lyon’s Graduate+ Excellence Scholarships:
  • Deadlines (2026 Cycle):
    • Training in Oncology (IVID/INNOVINONCO): April 15, 2026 (Today).
    • • General Oncology Training: April 30, 2026.
    • MDE (Medical Device Engineering): April 15, 2026.
  • Value: Usually between €1,000 and €1,500 per month for 10 months.
• • Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (INSA Lyon/Jean Moulin):
  • The next cycle starts in September 2026, when applications for the 2027 intake open.
  • Price: €1,181 a month for a Master’s degree or €1,800 a month for a PhD, plus flights.
  • Strategy: The university (like INSA Lyon) must put your name forward. Get in touch with your department early to get help before the university’s internal deadlines in November 2026.

2. Grants for Specialised Management and the Arts

Lyon’s special schools provide extra money to students who want to work in business or the arts.

• IEIS Scholarship for the iaelyon School of Management:
  • Cycle: The deadline was March 20, 2026. In January 2027, the intake for 2027 will open.
  • Target: People who are new to iaelyon and live outside of France when they apply.
• Graduate Program in Arts Scholarships for Excellence:
  • Next Cycle: You can submit your work from November 14, 2026, to January 23, 2027.
  • Target audience: Master’s students in the arts and creative fields.

3. The Technical Protocol for “Lyon Scholar”

Along with the required Campus France platform, Lyon institutions also use their own internal portals, such as the ENS International Portal.

• Identity & Status Sync (NIN): Check your National Identity Number (NIN) right now. Most scholarship websites in Lyon will check your NIN to make sure you live there and have a clean legal record in 2026. If your NIN and passport name don’t match, your French visa application will be put on hold right away.
• The “300dpi” Compliance Standard: Don’t use phone photos when you upload documents to ENS de Lyon or Graduate+. French academic boards need clarity that is professional-grade. Make high-resolution PDF scans at 300dpi with a flatbed scanner. AI auditors will not accept evidence that is blurry or low-contrast.
• Class Ranking Requirement: A signed certificate of class ranking is required for many Lyon excellence scholarships, such as the Eiffel at INSA. You need to ask your HOD or Dean for a letter that is signed by hand if your university doesn’t send this out automatically.

4. Summary of Important Deadlines (2026)

• The last day to apply for IVID and MDE Graduate+ Scholarships is April 15, 2026.
• Ampère Excellence Scholarships (Select Programmes) are due on April 20, 2026.
• On April 30, 2026, there will be a Graduate+ Scholarship for training in oncology.
• • The 2027 Eiffel Excellence Scholarship campaign will start in September 2026.

In conclusion, “momentum” is better than “merit”.

The plan for Lyon is to call your “Academic Pursuit” a “Strategic Momentum”. When you write your motivation letters for ENS de Lyon or INSA, make sure to stress how being in the Lyon ecosystem will help meet the needs of your home country and French innovation. Documentary Precision is the key to success in 2026. This means making sure your National Identity (NIN) is verified and your high-resolution evidence is ready for the Lyon digital portals.