IDEX Master Scholarships 2026 at GAU (Université Grenoble Alpes/UGA, France) are merit-based awards for international students applying to eligible Master’s or Engineer degrees for the 2026–2027 academic year, with funding of €9,000 (M1/Ingé 2A) or €5,500 (M2/Ingé 3A) paid in two installments. The Initiative of Excellence (IdEx) Université Grenoble Alpes is publishing the 2026-2027 Master Scholarship program.
Basic information (including deadline)
The IdEx (Initiative of Excellence) Master’s scholarship call is now open for the 2026–2027 intake and is available to international students applying to eligible programs within Université Grenoble Alpes and its academic divisions.
- Offered by Initiative of Excellence (IdEx), Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)
- For the 2026–2027 academic year
- Open to international students
- Host country: France
- Host institution: Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) and listed academic divisions (e.g., Grenoble INP‑UGA, Sciences Po Grenoble‑UGA, ENSAG‑UGA).
- Eligible level: Master’s (M1/M2) or Engineer degree years (Ingé 2A/Ingé 3A).
- Scholarship amount: €9,000 for M1/Ingé 2A; €5,500 for M2/Ingé 3A (for one academic year).
- Application deadline: there is no single global deadline on the main call page; UGA states that application calendars vary by degree, and selection calendars vary by faculty.
University/institution details
Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) runs the IdEx Master scholarship program as part of its Initiative of Excellence and targets international students applying to Master’s or Engineer degrees in its academic divisions.
UGA indicates that the scholarship is connected to programs offered across various divisions, including ENSAG-UGA (architecture), Grenoble INP-UGA (engineering), Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA (political studies), and Université Grenoble Alpes.
Study areas (Eligible Academic Divisions at UGA)
UGA does not provide one single fixed list of “program names” on the main scholarship page, because eligibility depends on the specific degree and not all degrees give access to an IdEx scholarship.
However, the call explicitly references academic divisions and faculties that imply broad study areas, including:
- ENSAG – École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Grenoble
- Grenoble INP – UGA (Engineering)
- Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA (IEP)
- Faculty of Sciences (FdS)
- Faculty of Humanities, Health, Sports and Societies (H3S)
- Faculty of Economics (FDE)
- Grenoble Law School
- Institute of Alpine Geography and Urban Planning (IUGA)
Eligible Programs
- Master’s degrees
- First year (M1)
- Second year (M2)
- Engineer degrees
- 2nd year (Ingé 2A)
- 3rd year (Ingé 3A)
IDEX Masters Scholarships benefits
The IdEx scholarship provides a fixed annual amount depending on level: €9,000 for M1 or Ingé 2A, and €5,500 for M2 or Ingé 3A.
- For the first year of a Master’s degree / 2A year, the maximum amount is 9 000 € netto and tax-free income
- For the second year of a Master’s degree / 3A year, the maximum amount is 5 500 € netto and tax-free income
- The IdEx Formation Master’s scholarship is only granted for one academic year.
Scholarship Payment Schedule
- Mid-October 2026
- 50% paid after confirmation of registration and attendance
- February 2027
- Remaining 50% paid after confirmation of attendance and exam participation
- Students must pay tuition fees in advance if not exempted
- Approach to state-of-the-art facilities
- Chances for professional development like internships, workshops, conferences
Benefits not included (important)
UGA states that being a scholarship holder does not automatically waive tuition fees, and fee amounts/exemption rules depend on the institution (ENSAG/IEP/INP/UGA).
UGA also notes students may need to pay due fees before the first installment if they are not exempted, so budgeting upfront is important even if you are selected.
Eligibility criteria for IDEX Masters Scholarships
UGA describes eligible international students as those who:
- This scholarship is accepting students from abroad
- Are currently studying at a university outside France, or
- Obtained their last degree from a foreign university, or
- Obtained their Baccalauréat (or equivalent) abroad, even if they later studied in France
Applicants can apply either for M1/M2 (Master’s first/second year) or Ingé 2A/Ingé 3A (Engineer degree second/third year), depending on the structure of their target program.
Selection Criteria
- Based on academic excellence
- Selection made by the relevant academic faculty
- Some programs do not offer IdEx scholarships
Required documents (common checklist)
The main UGA call page directs applicants to download the “application procedure and FAQ,” but it does not show a complete document list in the visible text.
Because document requirements typically vary by degree and faculty, prepare a “core set” that nearly every UGA Master’s application asks for, then adjust to your program’s portal requirements:
- Passport/ID (for international applicant identity verification).
- CV (academic + any research/internship experience).
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (or current enrollment proof).
- Motivation letter / statement of purpose (tailored to the chosen program and Grenoble research ecosystem).
- Recommendation letters (usually 1–2).
- Language proficiency proof (French or English—depending on the program).
Always treat the program’s admissions page as the final authority for exact file types, formats, and word limits, because UGA’s scholarship timelines depend on the degree application route.
IDEX Masters Scholarships application process (step-by-step)
UGA’s process is essentially “apply to a degree first, then be considered/selected for IdEx through the faculty,” with calendars varying by program.
- Choose an eligible Master’s or Engineering degree at UGA (confirm that the degree gives access to IdEx funding).
- Apply first to an eligible Master’s or Engineer program (2026–2027)
- Apply to the degree for the 2026–2027 academic year (deadlines vary by degree).
- Where available, apply for the scholarship at the same time as the degree (UGA notes that in most cases you can apply for both while applying to enter the degree).
- Faculty review and selection: the faculty select IdEx scholarship holders; calendars vary and a waiting list may exist.
- Watch for results after the admission committee meets; UGA says scholarship information may arrive after the degree admission decision.
- If selected, complete registration and be ready to pay any required fees before the first payment if you are not exempt.
- Receive payments: half in mid‑October 2026 after attendance confirmation, and the rest in February 2027 after first-semester participation confirmation.
Tips for a successful application
UGA’s wording makes one thing clear: selection is faculty-based and tied to the degree application, so the degree file must be excellent and complete.
Actionable tips that improve outcomes:
- Build a tight academic narrative: align your motivation letter with a specific lab, track, or specialization in Grenoble (clear fit beats generic ambition).
- Prove readiness: highlight research methods, projects, publications, or relevant internships in your CV, especially for science/engineering tracks.
- Apply early: since calendars vary and faculty may manage waiting lists, earlier submission reduces stress and increases time to fix missing documents.
Monthly living expenses in France (USD)
UGA’s scholarship page does not provide cost-of-living numbers, so budget planning should be done separately; the scholarship itself is a fixed amount and tuition may still apply.
Typical monthly costs international students often plan for in France (estimates; lifestyle and city matter—Grenoble is often cheaper than Paris):
- Accommodation (shared/student housing): $450–$850
- Utilities + internet: $60–$120
- Food/groceries: $250–$450
- Local transport: $35–$65
- Health/insurance (varies by status): $30–$120
- Personal expenses: $80–$200
Estimated total: $905–$1,805 per month (planning range).
Why choose this scholarship? (5+ reasons)
The IdEx Master scholarship is attractive for international students who want a respected French university ecosystem plus real financial support.
- Strong funding for a one-year award: up to €9,000 for M1/Ingé 2A can significantly reduce living-cost pressure.
- Recognized “Initiative of Excellence” framing: the scholarship is tied to UGA’s IdEx strategy, which adds prestige to your academic profile.
- Broad academic coverage: architecture, engineering, sciences, humanities, political studies, law, economics, and urban planning are all represented in the call’s listed divisions/faculties.
- Transparent payment calendar: UGA specifies when payments happen and what conditions trigger each installment (attendance and exam participation).
- International-friendly eligibility: UGA explicitly targets students enrolled outside France or with foreign degrees/baccalauréat pathways.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is there one official application deadline for IDEX Master Scholarships 2026 at GAU/UGA?
UGA does not list one universal deadline on the main call page; it says application calendars vary by degree and selection calendars vary by faculty.
How much money does the IDEX scholarship provide?
UGA states €9,000 for M1/Ingé 2A and €5,500 for M2/Ingé 3A for one academic year.
Does the scholarship cover tuition fees in France?
Not automatically—UGA clearly says scholarship holder status does not automatically waive tuition fees, and rules depend on the institution.
When is the scholarship paid?
UGA states half is paid in mid‑October 2026 after registration/attendance confirmation, and half in February 2027 after first-semester attendance and exam participation confirmation.
Can a student apply for the scholarship without applying to a degree?
UGA’s process starts with applying to an eligible Master’s/Engineer degree; in most cases the scholarship application happens alongside the degree application.
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