PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program 2023 | Apply NOW


The PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program aims to foster the mobility to France of Filipino professionals working in academic, research, or government institutions. Awardees are selected on the basis of academic excellence to pursue a Master’s or Doctoral degree in French public higher education institutions under the French Republic Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, and Research.

PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program 2023
PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program 2023

Aspiring researchers and specialists in the hard sciences, this program is for you!

Table of Contents

Scholarship Benefits

Care of the Department of Science and Technology

  • A monthly stipend to cover living costs throughout the duration of the program (calculated by the DOST)
  • One economy class round-trip ticket from the Philippines to the French city of destination

Care of the Embassy of France

  • Waiving of enrolment fees for the state-regulated master’s or doctorate program (Diplome National)
  • A healthcare package consisting of social security coverage and supplementary insurance (mutuelle)
  • Priority access to CROUS student housing services
  • Exemption from long-stay student visa fees (separate from VFS processing fee)

Also Read: Phinma Scholarship Program 2023 is Open to Apply

What is PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Program?

The PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Programme is a joint scholarship programme between the Philippine government athrough the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the French government. This scholarship program is designed to provide opportunities for Filipino students who want to study in France. It covers a broad range of fields of study, including engineering, science, mathematics, and social sciences.

Requirements

  • Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines at the time of application
  • Not more than 50 years old at the time of application
  • In good physical health
  • Holder of a higher education diploma recognized by the Philippine government allowing enrolment in the chosen degree in France
    • Master’s level applicants must have completed their undergraduate programs as of September 2023
  • Demonstrates excellent academic performance
  • Has knowledge or expertise required to carry out higher studies within the host establishment in the French Republic
  • Completed the admission requirements for graduate studies in any of the public universities in France, including interview and other screening procedures

Eligible Programs

The chosen program must be conducted full-time and on-site at a state-controlled institution in France. Courses offered by international schools based in France, as well as those offered at international campuses of French schools, are ineligible.

  • Duration: 24 months (Master’s) or 36 months (Doctorate)
  • Language of instruction: English, French, or both

IMPORTANT: The selected program must lead to the obtention of a state-controlled diploma (Diplome National) from a public educational or research institution.

Please check with your chosen HEI to confirm the status of your chosen program, as some programs offered at public institutions may not have this status and may be ineligible for the scholarship.

Resources:

LINK – Directory of French higher education and research institutions that offer state-controlled Master’s and Doctorate levels.

LINK – Site of Federation of Public University Systems

Fields of Study

The following have been jointly selected by the Embassy of France and the DOST as priority fields of study for these scholarships:

  • Agriculture
  • Bioengineering
  • Bioinformatics (Medical)
  • Biological Sciences
  • Climate Change
  • Forestry
  • Health and Medical Research
  • Material Sciences
  • Medical Chemistry
  • Natural Resources and Environment
  • Nuclear Application on Health
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Veterinary Sciences
  • Virology

Also Read: DCWD College Scholarship 2023

Application Requirements

French Embassy Requirements

  • A one-page CV summarizing your academic, professional, and leadership experience
  • An academic essay no longer than 500 words detailing why you wish to study in France, as well as how your experience and degree will benefit the Philippines and Filipino society
    • Essays exceeding the word limit will be disregarded
    • Please note that we are requesting an academic essay and not a cover or motivation letter
  • A complete, official copy of your most recent academic transcripts
  • Proof of completed application to the selected degree/French HEI
    • Screenshot/s of completed online application via school website or portal
    • Screenshot/s of official admission document or e-mail
    • Scan of mailed admission letter
  • Study plan, curriculum, or academic calendar of the chosen program
    • Commonly available on the school’s website or upon request at your HEI’s admissions office

DOST Requirements

  • Completed DOST Application Form*
  • Budgetary requirements* (with supporting document for bases of rates used)
  • Re-entry plan, narrative
  • Valid NBI Clearance
  • Birth certificate
  • Medical certificate as to health status and fitness to study from a licensed physician with his/her PRC license number indicated
  • Endorsement from two former professors; college professors for Master applicants, master program professors for PhD applicants
  • If employed at the time of application submission, please include these two additional documents:
  • Recommendation from Head of Agency/Department Head
  • Permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) while on scholarship
  • Documents available for download on the Resources page.

Optional Documents

For programs taught partially or entirely in French, proof of French proficiency of at least B2 CEFR

  • DELF/DALF diploma
  • TEF/TCF results
  • Letter from recognized French language instructor

Service Obligation and Other Conditions

Return Service Obligations for Scholarship Awardees

A PhilFrance-DOST grantee shall return to the Philippines immediately upon completion of his/her degree program to render service physically on a full-time basis in his/her sending institution, preferably in his/her field of specialization, for a period equivalent to twice the length of time that he/she enjoyed the MS/PhD scholarship.

Any service rendered before the completion of the scholarship grant shall not be counted/considered part of the service obligation.

Other Conditions

  • This scholarship program will adopt the existing policies on foreign scholarships implemented by DOST-SEI;
  • The qualified applicant will pursue MS or PhD Program on a full-time basis for a maximum period of 24 or 36 months, respectively;
  • Officially enroll as full-time graduate student;
  • Not avail or enjoy any other scholarships;
  • Must have a full-time commitment to the scholarship and must not engage in any form of employment during the scholarship period;
  • Required internships (stages obligatoires) within the academic year are allowed
  • Be willing to render the required service obligation equivalent to the length of time the scholar enjoyed the scholarship-two years of service for every year of scholarship or a fraction thereof;
  • Non-completion of degree or failure to render service, preferably in his/her sending institution, may be a ground for refund in full the total financial assistance received with 12% interest to the DOST-SEI; and the salaries and other remunerations, if there is any, to his/her sending institution; and
  • Fulfil the conditions set down by the Parties for the implementation of the PhilFrance-DOST Fellowship Program in accordance with regulations and the existing academic calendar in both countries.

How to Apply for PhilFrance DOST Scholarship?

It is highly recommended that applicants to the PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Programme, particularly those at the doctorate level, read the FAQ page to understand more about the Ph.D application process in France.

Interested applicants may visit the PhilFrance DOST Scholarship website to apply for a scholarship. Visit the above link to apply for the scholarship and to learn more about it.

Scholarship Deadline

PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Programme deadline – April 4, 2023.

FAQ

What is PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Programme?

The PhilFrance DOST Scholarship Programme is a joint scholarship programme between the Philippine government athrough the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the French government.

Is PhilFrance DOST Scholarship open?

Yes, it is open to apply.

What are the benefits of PhilFrance DOST Scholarship?

PhilFrance DOST Scholarship will be given the following privileges:
1. Monthly stipend
2. One economy class round-trip ticket
3. Healthcare package
and many more…

I’m a Filipino professional/student living in abroad. Am I eligible to apply?

No, applicants must be living in the Philippines at the time of application.

I had applied to the PhilFrance program but was not accepted. Is it still possible for me to apply?

Yes! You may reapply with a new application file.

Is there an age limit for PhilFrance program candidates?

While there is no age limit for the PhilFrance Master, your selected study program may. Please verify the course requirements with your HEI’s admissions office.
The PhilFrance-DOST program, on the other hand, requires applicants to be under 50 years old at the time of application.

Can I apply for the PhilFrance scholarship to multiple programs?

Yeah, but you’ll need to create an individual online application for every program, even if you’re providing some documents in common.

Can I receive the PhilFrance scholarship from the Embassy in top to other financial aid?

Yes, if the grant is funded by institutions other than the French government (such as companies and banks, the HEIs themselves, private foundations and associations, etc.).
No, if funding comes other sectors of the French government (Eiffel Excellence Programme, grants from French regions and cities, etc.).

How will I know if I’ve been selected?

Shortlisted PhilFrance Master applicants will be contacted approximately 6 weeks after the deadline.
PhilFrance-DOST – Applicants who have cleared the French Embassy leg of the evaluation will be notified of their status within two weeks of the deadline. Their applications will be endorsed to the DOST, which will conduct its own assessment and contact shortlisted candidates independently of the Embassy’s timeline.