The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

France


3 Fulbright-CY Initiative Award (CY Cergy Paris Université and ESSEC Business School)

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
  • Yes
Award Profile

Three awards of 10 months each are offered to pursue a master's degree program offered through the CY Initiative of Excellence.

CY Initiative of Excellence brings together CY Cergy Paris Université and ESSEC Business School, to create one of the 17 French Universities of Excellence, selected by the French government.  

CY Cergy Paris Université is a multidisciplinary teaching and research university located just outside of Paris, created in January 2020. It is the result of a merger of several French academic institutions: the University of Cergy-Pontoise, EISTI School of Engineering, Paris Seine University, and the close partnership of ESSEC Business School.

CY Cergy Paris Université collectively has five graduate schools, focusing on: (1) sciences, engineering, economics; (2) arts and humanities; (3) education; (4) law and political science; and (5) business and management. Students may therefore find degree programs in a wide variety of fields. It has a student body of 27,000, with 1,773 teaching and research staff. 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
September Start

Grants will generally begin on September 1 through June 30 for university attendance. They may be renewed for a second year of studies, conditional upon results.

 

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

Grantees will be required to attend a mandatory 1- to 2-day in-country orientation in late September or early October, and a 2-day mid-year conference in February (organized by the Fulbright Commission in France).

Candidate Profile

Graduating college seniors, recent graduates, and current holders of bachelor's degrees interested in a master's degree offered through CY Cergy Paris Université are eligible to apply. All master's programs that potentially lead to doctoral studies are eligible. (There is no expectation that students will continue on to the doctoral level, although they are more than welcome to explore that possibility.)

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Being a Fulbrighter in France is an unforgettable experience! When not engaged in their project, Fulbrighters enjoy the benefits of the French lifestyle: wonderful food, excellent life-work balance, and enthusiasm for lively debate and discussion. We encourage Fulbrighters to travel the country (and discover its many amazing heritage sites, museums, landscapes, and diverse society), and to get involved in community service or other local activities. They are thus able to build strong cross cultural ties between France and the United States.

It is important to note, however, that while the Fulbright Commission is dedicated to assisting Fulbrighters as much as possible to make their transition to France as smooth as possible, Fulbrighters are responsible for securing their own housing and making other administrative arrangements themselves. We recommend that Fulbrighters prepare their stay well ahead of time.

For more information on daily life in France, see:https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/daily-life

Quotes from CY Cergy Paris Université alumni:

"I can now unequivocally call Paris home. I am both comfortable and proud of being a Parisien. And this, I think, is my biggest personal success." 

"I wouldn't change anything about my experience this year, as the orientations and meetings were helpful and enjoyable, and the obstacles I encountered in the beginning (specifically related to housing) aided my personal development and resulted in friendships for which I am very grateful!"

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
9 Months
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Special Application Instructions

In the Fulbright online application, please select CY Initiative Award (CY Cergy Paris Université and ESSEC Business School) from the Award Name drop-down menu.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Intermediate

French language proficiency is recommended, commensurate with the requirements of the project. Sponsored language courses are not offered by the Fulbright program in France. In the Fulbright online application, applicants should include the Language Self-Evaluation and a Foreign Language Evaluation by a professional language instructor in relation to their language proficiency. 

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

Applicants must concurrently apply to a master's degree offered at CY Cergy Paris Université. Any questions about eligible programs and application procedures may be addressed to Valerie.zwilling@cyu.fr or Joelle.gury@cyu.fr.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

A full tuition waiver to the degree program is provided. Please note that, according to French law, all students are required to pay student fees ("contribution de vie étudiante et de campus" or CVEC) as part of enrollment. In 2023-2024, these fees were 100 euros.

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1600 monthly stipend amount in
€ [Euro]
One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1200 in
€ [Euro]

All Fulbright grantees receive 1200 Euros in travel allowance.

Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar
Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Find a detailed estimate of cost of living for students at CY Cergy Paris Université on their website.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

The Fulbright Commission provides grantees with a guide to life in France that includes resources and links on finding housing. 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Portrait of an alumna

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Directory of degree programs at CY Cergy Paris Université: https://www.cyu.fr/catalogue-des-formations-1
Degrees taught in English: https://www.cyu.fr/programs-taught-in-english