The Initiative of Excellence (IdEx) Master’s Scholarships at Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) for the 2026–2027 academic year are now open to applications. This scholarship programme is designed to attract talented international students from around the world and support them financially in pursuing high-quality Master’s and engineering degree studies in Grenoble, France — a globally recognised research and innovation hub.
🌍 What Is the IDEX Scholarship?
The Initiative of Excellence (IdEx) is a prestigious label awarded to selected French university clusters to boost excellence in research, education and international competitiveness. The IdEx Master’s Scholarships at UGA are part of this initiative and aim to support outstanding students by providing financial aid during their postgraduate studies in France.
💼 What It Offers
📌 Financial Support
The scholarship provides merit-based financial assistance, allocated once per academic year:
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€9,000 for students entering the first year of a Master’s programme (M1) or second year of an engineering degree (Ingé 2A).
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€5,500 for students entering the second year of a Master’s programme (M2) or third year of an engineering degree (Ingé 3A).
The award is granted for one academic year and scholarship holders must reapply if they wish to continue receiving support in the following year.
Note: Receiving the IDEX scholarship does not automatically waive tuition fees — these are set by the different faculties and schools and need to be settled separately unless a tuition exemption applies.
🎓 Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to international students (non-French degree holders) who:
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Have completed their last degree outside France, or
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Are currently enrolled in a university outside France, or
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Have obtained their “baccalauréat” (or equivalent) from a foreign institution — even if they later studied in France.
Applicants must also be applying to one of the Master’s or engineering programmes offered within UGA’s academic divisions, which include prestigious schools such as:
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École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Grenoble (ENSAG)
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Grenoble INP – UGA
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Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA
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Faculties of Sciences, Economics, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences
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Institut d’Urbanisme et de Géographie Alpine (IUGA)
(and others within UGA)
🗓️ Application Process & Timeline
📍 How to Apply
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Apply for admission to a Master’s or engineering degree programme at UGA for the 2026–2027 academic year via the university’s official application portal.
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Indicate your interest in the IdEx scholarship — in many cases this can be done during your degree application.
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The admissions committee will forward eligible candidates to the scholarship selection process, which takes academic merit and potential into account.
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Successful candidates will be notified soon after the degree admission decisions are communicated.
📅 Key Deadline
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The final deadline for scholarship applications is 5 May 2026 (per official calls).
🎯 Selection Criteria
Selection is competitive and primarily based on:
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Strong academic record
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Quality of previous studies
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Suitability and motivation for the chosen programme
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Some faculties may also consider additional criteria based on their specific requirements.
🌟 Why This Scholarship Matters
Studying in France under the IdEx scholarship at UGA offers numerous advantages:
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Access to world-class academic and research facilities
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Exposure to cutting-edge innovation and interdisciplinary learning
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Possibilities for networking with international researchers and professionals
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Financial support that eases part of the cost of studying abroad in a leading European academic environment.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The 2026 IDEX Master’s Scholarship at Université Grenoble Alpes is a valuable opportunity for high-achieving international students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in Europe. With competitive funding and a strong academic environment, this scholarship helps promising scholars focus on their studies and build a global career.