200 Scholarships. 42 Countries. One Month to Apply. And You Get Only 10-15 Days.
The IsDB-France Scholarship is one of the most strategically important fully funded scholarships in this series and the most time-sensitive by far.
Applications generally begin in June. The application window is (very) limited and generally does not exceed 10-15 days.
Ten to fifteen days. This is not a scholarship where you casually check the deadline and plan to apply next month. By the time most students discover the IsDB-France scholarship through general scholarship guides, the window has already closed.
As part of the partnership between the Islamic Development Bank, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and Campus France, a program of 200 scholarships has been set up for the best students and young researchers from 42 countries.
Two hundred scholarships per year. Forty-two eligible countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Turkey, Egypt, and many more. Full tuition in France plus a €700 monthly living allowance.
Students who are nationals of these countries and who are already studying in France are also eligible to participate.
Unlike the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (which excludes Master’s students already studying in France), the IsDB-France program explicitly includes students who are already in France. This is a significant advantage.
The only way to benefit from the IsDB-France scholarship is to be ready in June, documents prepared, account created, application completed within the 10-15 day window when it opens.
This guide tells you everything you need to prepare.
What Is the IsDB-France Scholarship — Full Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | IsDB-France Scholarship Program |
| Partners | Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) + French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEAE) + Campus France |
| Number of Awards | 200 scholarships per year |
| Eligible Countries | 42 countries (full list below) |
| Monthly Allowance | €700/month |
| What else it covers | Full tuition fees at French university |
| Study Level | License 3 (Bachelor’s 3rd year) OR Master’s |
| Study Destination | France — any accredited French higher education institution |
| Application Window | June only — 10 to 15 days maximum |
| Application Portal | isdb.org (create account, apply on IsDB page) |
| Managed by | Campus France |
| Students in France | Already studying in France? Also eligible! |
The 42 Eligible Countries — Full Confirmed List
Students from the following 42 countries can apply for this scholarship program: Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, Tajikistan, Chad, Palestinian Territories, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey.
The Surprising Inclusions
Three countries in the list are NOT OIC members, they are included as Francophone or developing countries in special partnership:
- Mozambique — Portuguese-speaking, not OIC
- Uganda — English-speaking Christian majority, not OIC
- Togo — French-speaking, predominantly Christian/traditional, not OIC
This confirms that the IsDB-France scholarship is not purely an OIC program. It targets countries at the intersection of French development partnerships and Islamic/OIC member status but with notable Francophone African exceptions.
What the IsDB-France Scholarship Covers
Monthly allowance: €700 per month for the duration of study in France.
Full tuition fees: Covered directly — you do not pay the French university’s tuition.
Note on comparison with Eiffel: The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship pays €1,200/month (Master’s) but requires a French university to nominate you and does not accept students already studying in France. The IsDB-France pays €700/month but:
- You can apply directly through IsDB (no French university nomination required)
- Students already studying in France ARE eligible
- 200 awards (Eiffel has ~400 Master’s but requires university nomination — harder to access)
The two scholarships can complement each other strategically but a student cannot hold both simultaneously.
Study Level — License 3 or Master’s
It is aimed at students enrolled in License 3 or Master’s in a French higher education institution.
License 3 (L3): The third and final year of the French undergraduate (Licence) degree, equivalent to the third year of a 3-year bachelor’s program. This is an undergraduate level option.
Master’s (M1 or M2): The first or second year of a French Master’s program, standard postgraduate level.
What this means practically:
- You can apply while completing your undergraduate studies (L3) in France
- You can apply for a Master’s program in France (M1 or M2)
- PhD is NOT covered under IsDB-France (for PhD, apply to the standalone IsDB Merit Scholarship)
The Critical Application Window — June Only
Applications generally begin in June. A press release will be published on the Campus France website or that of IsDB. The application window is (very) limited and generally does not exceed 10-15 days.
This is the single most important operational fact about the IsDB-France scholarship. Everything else eligibility, documents, amounts is secondary to this.
What “10-15 days” means in practice:
If the window opens June 1 and closes June 15, students who first hear about the scholarship on June 12 have 3 days to prepare all documents, create an account, and submit. That is not enough time.
How to be ready:
- Mark your calendar for June 1 every year — set a reminder to check both campusfrance.org and isdb.org starting June 1
- Create your IsDB account NOW — go to isdb.org and register. Account creation takes time and you should not do it on the day the window opens
- Prepare all documents in advance (see checklist below)
- Follow Campus France’s social media — they announce the window opening on their official channels
How to monitor:
- campusfrance.org — watch for press releases about IsDB-France
- isdb.org — IsDB scholarship page
- Follow @CampusFrance on Twitter/X
- Follow IsDB on LinkedIn for scholarship announcements
Application Process — Step by Step
To apply for the IsDB-France scholarship program: campusfrance.org/fr/espaces. Applications are made on the IsDB page, create an account and apply.
Step 1: Create your IsDB account (do this NOW) Go to isdb.org and create an account in the scholarship portal. Do not wait for June, account creation can have delays. Having an active account before the window opens saves critical hours.
Step 2: Monitor for June announcement In May/June, watch campusfrance.org and isdb.org for the official announcement that the IsDB-France application window is open. Campus France issues a press release.
Step 3: Complete the application form immediately when window opens Log into your IsDB account. Complete the IsDB-France scholarship application form. The window closes in 10-15 days do not wait even a few days after it opens.
Step 4: Upload all required documents Have all documents ready before the window opens (see checklist below).
Step 5: Await results Successful candidates are notified and proceed to enroll in their chosen French university program.
Documents Required — Prepare Before June
Based on general IsDB scholarship requirements and IsDB-France specifications:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| ✅ Valid passport | Must have sufficient validity |
| ✅ Academic transcripts | All degrees with official translations if not in French/English |
| ✅ Degree certificates | Bachelor’s degree + any previous qualifications |
| ✅ French university admission letter | Proof of enrollment or admission to French institution |
| ✅ CV / Resume | Academic + professional history |
| ✅ Motivation letter | How will studies benefit your country’s development? |
| ✅ Language proficiency | French or English proof per your program’s requirements |
| ✅ Passport-size photograph | Recent, professional |
| ✅ Medical certificate | Health clearance (required for IsDB programs generally) |
| ✅ Reference letters | Academic recommendations |
Most critical: The French university admission letter. You must already be admitted to (or enrolled in) a French university program before you can apply for IsDB-France funding.
IsDB-France vs Eiffel Excellence — Key Differences
| Feature | IsDB-France | Eiffel Excellence |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly amount | €700/month | €1,200/month (MA) / €2,100 (PhD) |
| Awards/year | 200 | ~470 (400 MA + 70 PhD) |
| Eligible countries | 42 specific countries | ALL nationalities except France |
| PhD covered | ❌ No (L3 + Master’s only) | ✅ Yes |
| Application | Via isdb.org (student applies) | Via French university (student cannot apply directly) |
| Students in France | ✅ Already in France = eligible | ❌ MA: must be new to France |
| Application window | June — 10-15 days ONLY | Oct 1 – Jan 8 (3+ months) |
| University nomination | Not required | Required (key barrier) |
| Who manages | IsDB + Campus France | Campus France |
Strategic advice:
- If you are applying from your home country and your country is in the 42 list → Apply to BOTH IsDB-France (June) AND Eiffel (October-January)
- If you are already studying in France → IsDB-France is your primary option (Eiffel excludes you for MA)
- If your country is NOT in the 42 list → Eiffel only
IsDB-France vs IsDB Merit Scholarship — Also Different
Many students confuse these two because both have “IsDB” in the name. They are separate programs.
| Feature | IsDB-France | IsDB Merit Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Study destination | France only | Any top-1000 university worldwide |
| Partners | IsDB + French Ministry | IsDB only |
| Eligible countries | 42 specific countries | All 57 OIC member countries |
| Monthly amount | €700 | Varies by country |
| Level | L3 + Master’s | PhD + Post-Doctoral (primarily) |
| Application window | June (10-15 days) | January-February |
| Application portal | isdb.org | isdb.org |
These are complementary not competing. A Bangladeshi student can apply to IsDB-France in June for a Master’s in France AND apply to the IsDB Merit Scholarship in January for a PhD at a top global university.
Country-Specific Guidance
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Pakistan is eligible. As an OIC member and developing country, Pakistani students in engineering, public health, economics, and sciences studying in France are competitive profiles. Contact Campus France Pakistan (Alliance Française in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore) for country-specific guidance. Monitor isdb.org and campusfrance.org starting June 1 each year.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Bangladesh is eligible. As an IsDB LDMC member country, Bangladeshi applicants have additional priority context. French programs in engineering, environmental science, and public health are particularly aligned with Bangladesh’s development needs.
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Indonesia is eligible. As Southeast Asia’s largest OIC member, Indonesia has an active IsDB scholarship relationship. Indonesian students in France studying technical, scientific, and economic subjects are competitive.
🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco is eligible. As a Francophone North African country, Moroccan students have the strongest natural language alignment for French university programs. Morocco has historically been one of the largest IsDB-France recipient countries.
🇹🇷 Turkey
Turkey is eligible. Turkish students studying in France can benefit from this program, particularly in science, engineering, and economics.
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Nigeria is eligible. As Africa’s largest economy and largest OIC member population, Nigeria receives IsDB scholarship allocations. Nigerian students studying in France in English-medium programs need to confirm French language requirements per their specific program.
🌍 Francophone Africa (Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso, etc.)
For Francophone African countries in the 42-country list, IsDB-France is the most linguistically natural scholarship, French is already the language of education. These students also have access to Campus France offices in their home countries for guidance.
Practical Tips to Maximize Your Chances
1. Create your IsDB account today — not in June The IsDB scholarship portal at isdb.org requires account registration. Do this immediately. Account verification and setup can take days, time you don’t have if you do it on June 1.
2. Get a French university admission letter before June IsDB-France requires enrollment in a French institution. Apply to French universities in February-April so your admission letter is ready when the June window opens.
3. Contact Campus France office in your country in May Campus France offices in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, Nigeria, and other eligible countries often receive advance information about the IsDB-France window opening. Contact your local Campus France or French Embassy education section in May.
4. Prepare your motivation statement before June The core of any IsDB scholarship application is: How will your studies in France benefit your home country’s development? Write and refine this statement in April-May. Do not draft it during the 10-15 day window.
5. If you are already in France — apply anyway Students who are nationals of these countries and who are already studying in France are also eligible to participate. If you are a Moroccan student at Sciences Po or a Pakistani student at Sorbonne and your program is not fully funded, apply when the June window opens.
6. Apply to Eiffel simultaneously in October-January IsDB-France (June) and Eiffel (October-January) are in different application seasons. A student from any of the 42 countries should apply to both, you cannot hold both simultaneously but you can apply for both.
FAQ
What are the 42 eligible countries for IsDB-France?
Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, Tajikistan, Chad, Palestinian Territories, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey.
Is Pakistan eligible for IsDB-France?
Yes, Pakistan is eligible.
Is Bangladesh eligible?
Yes, Bangladesh is eligible.
How long is the application window?
The application window is (very) limited and generally does not exceed 10-15 days. Applications generally begin in June.
Can students already studying in France apply?
Yes, students who are nationals of the 42 countries and who are already studying in France are also eligible to participate.
How many scholarships are awarded?
A program of 200 scholarships has been set up for the best students and young researchers from 42 countries.
What is the monthly allowance?
€700 monthly allowance plus full tuition fees covered.
What level of study is covered?
License 3 (Bachelor’s 3rd year) or Master’s in a French higher education institution. PhD is not available in this scholarship.
How is IsDB-France different from the Eiffel Scholarship?
IsDB-France is limited to 42 specific countries and pays €700/month, but students apply directly via isdb.org (no French university nomination needed) and students already in France are eligible. Eiffel is open to all nationalities, pays more (€1,200/month MA, €2,100/month PhD), but requires French university nomination and excludes current France-based MA students.
Free Tools for Your Application
- Motivation Letter: Motivation Letter Generator
- SOP / Study Plan: SOP Generator
- CV: Free CV Builder
- Personal Statement: Personal Statement Generator
- Reference Letter: Reference Letter Generator