Program description
The “Master’s programs in France France Excellence 2023-2024” (hereinafter the scholarship program) is a scholarship program of the LEPL International Education Center, the basis of which is the agreement, signed on 3 May 2023 between the Center and the French Institute at the French Embassy to co-finance master’s degree scholarships.
According to the agreement, for a period of 10 months, the parties will provide assistance to Georgian students pursuing studies in any French higher institution at the MA level.
- - The monthly stipend received by the student is 860 (eight hundred and sixty) euros: 560 (five hundred and sixty) euros are financed by the Centre and 300 (three hundred) euros are financed by the French Institute of Georgia.
- - The LEPL International Education Center will reimburse STEM winners in the academic year 2023-2024 a tuition fee of not more than 5000 euros.
The French Embassy in Georgia contributes to the scholarship program and, together with its partner, awards a French Government scholarship to selected students. The scholarships of the French government are administered by the agency - Campus France, which operates under the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of the French Republic.
Grant by the Government of France of scholarship status and related benefits:
- - Exemption from CVEC fees (student accommodation and campus fees);
- - Exemption from registration fees (but not tuition fees) for admission to engineering preparatory programmes;
- - Registration in the insurance scheme before joining the social security scheme upon arrival in France;
- - Supplementary Health Insurance;
- - Priority assistance in finding housing in CROUS university residences and private residences;
- - Transportation costs to the University address are covered only by the 2nd class train (from the international airport to the city of University);
- - Discounts on cultural events organized by Campus France;
- - Assist selected candidates in visa and residence procedures;
- - Exemption of selected candidates from the visa fee.
Beneficiaries of the programme will have access to other benefits of study in France:
- - Deposit for rent apartment "VISALE";
- - Assistance in renting an apartment from the family allowance fund;
- - Free membership in the general French social security system;
- - Discounts on public transport and access to cultural activities.
In the framework of the program, Citizens of Georgia, Holder of Neutral ID card or neutral travel document will be able to obtain a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in France, in both French and English language programs. Scholarships are awarded based on just, competitive and transparent competition. The decision-making body is an international competition commission established under the scholarship program from members selected by the French Institute and the Center.
The winner of the competition independently carries out the procedures of admission to the selected university(s) in the direction/specialty determined priority within the program.
And the same student has no right:
- Take advantage of the program co-financed by the Center and the French government, and at the same time accumulate other European programs Erasmus +, Erasmus Mundus and others) or national funding programs simultaneously;
- During the internship outside France, if the internship is determined within the framework of the master’s program, the student will receive the scholarship only for the necessary period of internship, which is determined by the French university in the curriculum;
- Students cannot obtain a French Government scholarship in the case of study and mobility at a university outside France;
- A funded person under the same or other scholarship program of the Center is not eligible to apply for foreign funding to pursue master’s studies.
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Goals and Objectives
The goal of the scholarship program “Academic Programs in France for 2023–2024” is to enable Georgian citizens or holders of neutral ID cards or neutral travel document to obtain an internationally recognized Master degree during their studies in France. The mission of the program – to develop qualified human resources for economic and social development of the country in accordance with the requirements of the labor market. Upon completion of the study the graduates will return and will be employed in Georgia in the relevant field. Also, if the center offers, they will cooperate with higher education institutions in Georgia.
The scholarship program also contributes to the promotion of the French language and culture by increasing access to postgraduate studies in France.
Prioritized Program Courses
The scholarship holder of the program "Academic Programs in France 2023-2024" must be enrolled in any French higher education institution specified in this program:
a. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the following courses of study/disciplines/professions have received priority within the framework of the stipend program, for the MA level:
- Education;
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing, veterinary;
- Engineering, manufacturing and construction;
- Information and communication technologies.
- Science, mathematics and statistics;
- Arts and humanities;
- Social sciences, journalism and information;
- Law;
- Management;
- Public administration;
The program does not provide funding for partial, online, distance-learning, integrated/or so-called “executive” Master’s program courses.
Target group of the program
The target group of the scholarship program is Georgian citizens under the age of 30 or holders of a neutral identity card and/or travel document, who have received an academic bachelor/postgraduate degree or are studying in the last year. Bachelor’s degree programs or study in France: a) under the master’s degree program 1 and seek funding for master’s studies 2; b) in the first year of a master’s degree for more than one year and seek funding for the next academic year within the formal term of the program.
Every citizen of Georgia, holder of neutral ID cards or neutral travel document is entitled to equal access to the scholarship programб without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Scholarships are awarded based on just, competitive and transparent competition. The decision is taken by international selection committee formed by the IEC.
Result of the program
As a result of the program, Georgian citizens will be able to obtain an internationally recognized Master degree in the field/specialty identified as a priority in this scholarship program in France. and further implement the acquired knowledge in Georgia.
Application timeline
The deadline for submitting the complete application packagein in the electronic portal: 31 May 2023 – 18:00 (Georgian time).
The final results of the competition will be available no later than 30 June 2023.
Scholarship Program administration
The program is implemented through an open competition. The Competition process:
Approval of the scholarship program by the LEPL International Education Center and announcement of the competition;
The applicants have to register and upload all required documents in the electronic portal of the LEPL International Education Center on the following link https://app.iec.gov.ge before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The electronic registration system allows a participant to fill in and / or change an application step by step before the competition deadline. The application must be resubmitted after editing before the deadline; The applicant shall monitor the timely and complete submission of the application and the related documents. All documents must be uploaded, including the specificity of the program, unless otherwise specified - if any.
When filling in an application, if a technical problem is detected, the applicant may apply to the Technical Support Service - http://iec.gov.ge/support.
By registering with the electronic registration system of the LEPL International Education Center, the participant expresses his/her consent to the processing by the Center of his/her (the data subject) personal information within the framework of the scholarship program and for the purpose of the competitive process, and in case of winning the scholarship competition to publish personal information on the official website of the center in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of Georgia.
Identification of winners by the International Competition Commission after a fixed deadline;
Signing of a grant agreement with the winners and providing financial support;
Applicants are informed of the results of all stages of the competition through their respective page of their application.
The Center uses the e-mail address specified in the application to contact the applicants.
Conditions of the program and documents to be submitted
- Citizen of GE and/or owner of Georgia travel document (applicants from De Facto Georgia territories);
- Under age of 30 years;
- Must be graduated from accredited HEI and own a diploma of previous degree/s earned (Bachelor- or Master);
- or studying in the last year of BA
- or study in France: a) Master’s degree in Master 1 and applies for Master 2 funding; b) In the first year of the master’s program lasting more than one year and applying for funding for the next academic year within the official duration of the program.
- Must demonstrate strong academic standing (equiv. to GPA 3.0<)
Fill out Electronic Application Form and upload:
- Copy of ID/passport/neutral ID card and neutral travel document
- CV or Resume - in two languages (Georgian - French or Georgian-English)
- Motivation letter - in two languages (Georgian - French or Georgian-English)
- Previously Earned HEI Diploma/s and GPA Certificate/s
- If GPA is not indicated in the transcript, then the University certificate with GPA. The applicants with "Honors degree" or diplomas corresponding to this status are not required to upload this document;
- Upon requesting funding for the second or subsequent year of the respective master's program, a certificate of student status and transcript with GPA.
- The undergraduate student must additionally submit: Information on student status. A transcript with an overall score for all semesters completed.
- One recommendation (the applicant specifies the referee’s data in the application system. The referee is sent a questionnaire and a text box. The recommendation is sent when filling these fields).
- Optional: conference and training participation certificates, awards, etc, as relevant.
- Marks and notes if one or more of the following status: IDP, economically disadvantaged, specialized needs accommodation required – with a relevant document proof.
The applicant may submit a document in English. A document in Georgian will be considered only with English / French notarized translation. Documents in French will be considered only with a notarized translation into the Georgian language.
The Center and the Competition Commission have the right to verify the accuracy of the information provided by an applicant at any time. In case of providing incorrect information and / or plagiarism, the applicant will be removed from the competition.
Selection board and selection criteria
The international selection board of the LEPL International Education Center will review and rate the applications. The composition and duties of the selection board has to be approved by the decree of the Center’s Executive Director.
The LEPL International Education Center will consider applications within the framework of a three-stage competition. First – Administrative-formal check of applications by the International Education Center. Second – Qualitative Check. Third – interview.
The second and third stages of the competition are evaluated independently, and the results are not summarized. Accordingly, the assessment of the second stage does not affect the assessment of the stage of the interview. The second stage of the competition will determine pass on by the applicant to the third stage, and the assessment of the third stage will determine the winner
The bonus score established by the scholarship program (maximum of 4 score - socially vulnerable person, person with disabilities, IDP and status of a victim from the villages adjacent to the delimitation line of the occupied territories of Georgia - 1 score for each status) shall be attributed to the applicants by the coordinator of the program of the centre at the stage of administrative (formal) examinations of the electronic application and relevant documentation. Bonus score/scores will be added only to the result of the second stage of the competition.
The Center and the Competition Commission have the right to verify the accuracy of the information provided by an applicant at any time. In case of providing incorrect information and / or plagiarism, the applicant will be removed from the competition.
The applicant becomes the grant holder after enrolling in the appropriate higher education institution of France on the conditions set forth in this program, and in the event of the subsequent conclusion of a grant agreement with the Center.
Scholarship and amount of funding
In the academic year 2023-2024, the program will provide 15 scholarships, both to fund the winners of the competition announced for this academic year and to finance the second academic year, those who are studying for a master’s degree for more than one year.
If the quota of scholarships for persons financed under the Master’s Program of more than one year is not fulfilled, the free scholarship is awarded to the person included in the reserve list on the basis of the results of the competition announced for the Academic 2023-2024, in accordance with the rules established by this program.
Rule of change of reserve status of applicant
In case of refusal of the winner, determined by the International Competition Commission within the framework of the program, the participant who scored the most points in the reserve list, will receive the scholarship, which will be obliged to provide documents, established under the program within the period specified by the center.
The change in the status of the reserve is also due to the fact that the person sponsored under the Master’s Degree program of the previous year did not submit the high-achievement document required for continued funding.
In the event of a change in the reserve status, failure to submit documents by the contestant with the highest number of points in the reserve list, during the period determined by the center, will be considered as a refusal to receive the scholarship. The said contestant loses the right to apply for a scholarship.
Contractual arrangements
The basis for the grant under the scholarship program is an agreement between the Center and a scholarship holder. This agreement defines the rights and obligations of the parties, payment regulations and etc...
The IEC will be responsible for program/grantee contract and grant disbursal based on SB decision.
Upon completion of their studies fellows have the legal commitments: to submit a certificate of Master's/Doctor's degree; to return to Georgia and to deploy their knowledge and experience in the service of their country and society for at least 3 years.
Failure of a student to fulfil the obligations of the program results in financial implications. In the event of breach of the condition a scholarship holder is obliged to recover the full amount of the grant, envisaged in the Agreement. Other rights and obligations are governed by the agreement between the parties.
The contract is concluded, if the applicant is declared a winner and enrolled in a partner university, specified in his/her application. The scholarship holder has to provide an unconditional offer letter and a tuition fee document.
Renewal Students, already supported by the program in previous AY, have to submit a certificate of student status, the academic performance (in case of GPA calculation system, at least 3.0; in case of a 100-point assessment system – 81-90, at least “very good”, at least (B) or appropriate score in case of different assessment system) for the last AY and the tuition fee document. Failure to comply with the above condition is the reason for the Center's refusal to sign the contract.
The Center may also refuse to conclude a contract in case of a court verdict against the winner and/ or if there are other circumstances incompatible with the scholarship program.
If funding is provided for an academic program lasting more than one year during the official program duration, the basis for consideration by the Commission for the next academic year is high academic performance (equiv. to GPA 3.0<). Additional conditions may be established by the order of the Executive Director of the Center.
A fellow may be allowed to stay abroad for up to one year after completion of his/her study in order to gain work experience in the relevant field. The decision on granting the right, within its discretion, is made by the Competition Commission. For this purpose, a scholarship holder has to submit to the Center a statement, an Employment Confirmation letter and a document indicating the official date of study completion, not later than one month after graduation. This is considered to be a deferral of employment obligation and once the relevant time period expires the commitment period begins. Upon expiration of a month time period after graduation a scholarship holder loses the opportunity to claim the right to stay abroad in order to gain work experience. Failure of a student to fulfil the obligations of the program results in financial implications. In the event of breach of the condition a scholarship holder is obliged to recover the full amount of the grant, envisaged in the Agreement. Other rights and obligations are governed by the agreement between the parties.
Programme budget. Payment rule.
Funding of the scholarship program, in accordance with the above-mentioned agreement, on the basis of the invoice submitted by Campus France, the documentation on tuition fees, will be carried out from the budget allocated to the Center, provided by the Law of Georgia “On the State Budget of 2023 year” (program code 32 04 04).
Additional information
Contact information of the LEPL International Education Center:
Address: Chavchavadze Avenue N7, II floor, Tbilisi Georgia
E-mail: info-iec@iec.gov.ge;
Webpage: httphttp://iec.gov.ge://iec.gov.ge
For information about French universities, please contact the French Institute of Georgia -https://institutfrancais.ge/ka/