Purpose of the Programme
Sciences Po founded the Émile Boutmy scholarship to attract high-potential students from around the world—especially from countries outside the EU/EEA—who might otherwise be blocked by cost. The idea is that these students bring talent, leadership, diversity, and global perspective into the campus. So the scholarship is not just about money; it’s about enabling a certain calibre of student to join a leading French institution and contribute in meaningful ways.
In practical terms: if you gain admission to a first-year of a Bachelor’s or a full-time Master’s at Sciences Po and you indicate interest in this scholarship, you could receive a grant that significantly reduces or even removes part of your tuition fee. It’s a way for the school to say: “We believe in your potential. Let us help you get here.”
Eligibility Criteria
Before getting excited, you’ll want to check the criteria carefully—there are several specific requirements and exclusions.
Who can apply
- You must be a first-time applicant to Sciences Po (i.e., you have not previously been registered as a degree-seeking student there).
- You must have been admitted to one of the eligible programmes (Bachelor’s or Master’s) at Sciences Po.
- Your nationality must be outside the European Union/European Economic Area (EEA) and you must be liable for the higher international fees at Sciences Po.
- The household of the applicant must not file taxes within the European Union.
- You must choose one eligible programme and indicate your interest in the scholarship in the “Financial information” section of your application to Sciences Po.
Who cannot apply / exclusions
- Applicants for certain dual-degree programmes (e.g., the dual degree Journalism Sciences Po/Columbia, or Sciences Po/Fudan Europe-Asia for Chinese nationals) may be excluded.
- PhD programme students (thesis) are not eligible.
- Candidates for 1-year Master’s programmes are not eligible under this scholarship.
- Exchange students, students already registered at Sciences Po, or previous scholarship-refused candidates are not eligible.
Additional conditions
- The scholarship is tied to the programme of study at the time of admission. If you change to a different eligible programme after admission, you may lose the scholarship.
- You must validate your academic year (i.e., successfully complete the year) or you will forfeit the scholarship.
- The scholarship is automatically renewed if you shift from the undergraduate programme into the eligible Master’s at Sciences Po, provided you maintain eligibility.
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Fields of Study
The scholarship is available for a wide range of programmes at Sciences Po — both at the undergraduate (Bachelor’s) level and graduate (Master’s) level. The school offers many subject areas: social sciences, politics, international relations, economics, humanities and more. The key is that the programme must be one of the eligible ones by the time of admission, full-time, and the applicant must fulfill the admission criteria.
While there is no narrow “subject list” stated in some sources, applicants must make sure their chosen degree is compatible with the scholarship’s terms (for example, full Master’s, not one-year, and admitted via regular admission).
Benefits of the Scholarship
So what does the Émile Boutmy scholarship really give you? Here’s the breakdown based on level of study:
For Bachelor’s (Undergraduate)
- The scholarship grants either full tuition exemption or a tuition reduction of up to €9,500 per year for each of the three years of the programme, for eligible students.
- Scholarship recipients retain the tuition-fee grant during their year abroad (third year) in the undergraduate programme.
- The amount is determined at time of admission and adjusted each year if tuition fees increase.
For Master’s level
- The scholarship offers a tuition-fee exemption of €18,500 per year of the two-year Master’s programme (for eligible students) at Sciences Po.
- Other sources mention different figures (e.g., €13,100 per year) depending on conditions.
- It is applied only if you meet the required eligibility and you were admitted to the right kind of programme (first-year full Master’s).
In essence: the scholarship significantly reduces, or in some cases fully covers, your tuition fee. However, it is not primarily a living-cost stipend (though some sources suggest additional aid may be available separately). You’ll still need to plan for day-to-day expenses, accommodation, travel.
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Deadline & Important Dates
Timing is crucial. Here are the key deadlines as per current information:
- For the undergraduate programme (applicants from foreign secondary schools): application for the scholarship must be submitted by Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
- For the undergraduate programme (French secondary schools): the date will be announced (in October 2025) for the session.
- For the Master’s level: Scholarship application deadlines are 19 October (first committee) or 30 November (second committee) for the intake year.
Keep in mind: you must apply for the programme at Sciences Po itself, and indicate your scholarship interest before the scholarship deadlines. Missing the date means you won’t be considered.
How to Apply
Here’s how the application process works — step by step:
- Apply for admission: Choose your Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at Sciences Po, and submit your application following their admissions requirements (courses, language tests, etc.).
- Indicate your scholarship interest: Within the application to Sciences Po, find the “Financial information” or “Scholarships” section and state you’re applying for the Émile Boutmy scholarship.
- Attach required documentation: Depending on your profile you may need to upload proof of income, tax statements of household, number of dependent children, etc. For Master’s you must also attach language test if applicable.
- Submit before the deadline: Ensure both your admission application and scholarship indication are submitted by the scholarship deadline (see above).
- Await decision: The scholarship decision is made by the Admissions Department of Sciences Po, typically after admissions results. If successful you will be notified and the scholarship offer will come with your admission.
- Maintain eligibility: Once awarded, you must validate your academic year(s), not defer admission, and follow any specific terms (e.g., you must remain in the programme admitted under). Failure to do so may result in losing the scholarship.
Why Study at Sciences Po?
Choosing a university abroad is about more than just scholarships—it’s also about environment, reputation, growth. Here’s why Sciences Po stands out:
- Sciences Po is one of France’s leading institutions in the social sciences, international affairs and multidisciplinary education.
- The school attracts an international student body, which gives you exposure to global perspectives and networks.
- Studying in France gives you access to cultural, academic, professional opportunities in Europe, and a strong platform for future careers.
- Receiving a prestigious scholarship like Émile Boutmy at a top institution adds to your profile—both academically and professionally.
- With tuition significantly reduced (thanks to the scholarship), you can focus more on studies, growth and contribution rather than financial stress.
Final Thoughts
If you are an ambitious international student (outside the EEA) who wants to study in France, the Émile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po is absolutely worth your attention. It offers a path to access one of Europe’s top institutions with strong financial support for tuition, and it expects serious commitment in return.
Your next step: review the eligible programmes at Sciences Po, check the exact admission and scholarship deadlines for your region and level, gather your documents, craft your motivation, and apply with your whole self. It’s competitive—so you’ll want to stand out by showing not just academic excellence but also leadership, ambition and fit.
You’re capable of this. Take the step, apply, and imagine what you could build next. Best of luck—you’ve got this.
Official program website: https://www.sciencespo.fr/students/en/fees-funding/bursaries-financial-aid/emile-boutmy-scholarship/