Michel David-Weill Scholarship
Offered by Sciences Po / Michel David-Weill Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Michel David-Weill Scholarship sends one exceptional American student to Paris each year with $80,000 to cover tuition and living expenses for a two-year master's program at Sciences Po, France's premier university for politics, economics, and international affairs.
Named for the longtime Lazard chairman who bridged French and American finance, the award looks for excellence, leadership, multiculturalism, and high achievement. It is a nomination scholarship: dozens of US partner universities each run an internal competition and put forward one candidate, and Sciences Po's selection committee interviews finalists before naming the laureate in late winter.
Because only one scholarship is awarded nationally, the odds are long — but for a student already targeting Sciences Po's English-taught master's programs in international affairs, public policy, or economics, the campus nomination alone costs little to pursue and the prize covers essentially the entire cost of the degree.
Eligibility
- US citizens (or students at US partner institutions — confirm citizenship requirements with your campus fellowship office)
- Graduating seniors or recent graduates of a Michel David-Weill partner university in the United States
- Must be nominated by their institution — students may not apply independently
- Must apply separately for admission to a two-year master's program at Sciences Po
How To Apply
- Check whether your university is a partner institution and enter its internal selection, typically in early fall
- Win your campus nomination — partner institutions nominate candidates in October 2026
- Submit your Sciences Po master's program application and scholarship materials by November 16, 2026
- Finalists interview with the selection committee in January or February 2027, with the laureate announced in late February
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Michel David-Weill Scholarship worth?
The scholarship has a stated monetary value of $80,000, covering tuition and living expenses across the two-year master's program at Sciences Po in Paris.
Can I apply on my own?
No. The scholarship accepts nominations only from partner institutions — each US partner university selects one nominee through its own internal process, so your first stop is your campus fellowships office.
Do I need to speak French?
Not necessarily. Sciences Po offers many English-taught master's programs, and the scholarship follows the program you are admitted to. French proficiency strengthens the Paris experience but is not a blanket requirement.