Lafayette Fellowship
Overview
Description
The Lafayette Fellowship, organized by the Embassy of France in the United States, aims to deepen academic and cultural exchange between France and the U.S. and nurture future leaders committed to strengthening the transatlantic relationship. It also strives to spread awareness about France’s many internationally ranked universities and academic programs taught in English.
Launched on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, the Lafayette Fellowship aims to deepen academic and cultural exchange between France and the U.S., and nurture future leaders committed to strengthening the transatlantic relationship. This Fellowship is open to students in STEM, the humanities, social sciences, and the arts with an interest in addressing global issues – such as environmental challenges and sustainable transition; health and biotechnology; peace and security; social equity and democratic issues; digital technologies; and artificial intelligence – in the French-American context
In addition to their academic studies, fellows will take part in the French-American Leadership Program, a dynamic, year-long experience featuring lectures, masterclasses, and site visits, offering a 360-degree immersion into European innovation, culture, and policy. Alumni events will be held annually in Washington, D.C., New York, and in other major cities across the U.S.
Eligibility
Candidates must be
- Under 27 years of age at the program start date
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution, completed less than three years before the program start date
- Minimum 3.7 GPA
- Covers programs across the humanities, social sciences, the arts, and STEM at one of the program’s partner universities (for the full list, consult the Lafayette Fellowship website)
- Knowledge of French is NOT required (but can be an asset depending on your graduate school plans)
Candidates can be
- Pursuing any major
- US or international students graduating (or graduated) from Wesleyan
Award
A Lafayette Fellowship covers one year of master’s level study in France at one of the program’s partner universities and includes tuition, living expenses, travel, program activities, and administrative costs. It also includes a mentorship program, each fellow is paired with a prominent French figure in business, government, culture, or academia, as fits their career interests.
Selection Criteria
- Academic excellence
- Leadership potential and commitment to helping society
- Dedication to developing the French-American relationship
Application Components
- Applicant information
- Name, date of birth, contact info, etc.
- Upload a copy of your passport, birth certificate, or other government issued identification for proof of age and nationality
- Academic background
- Degrees earned or in progress
- Majors, minors, GPA
- Research experience
- Internships and professional experience
- Languages in which you are proficient
- Study plan (for graduate school in France at a partner institution)
- Certificate of French language proficiency if required for your program
- Required documents and references
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Cover letter of 700 words
- Video personal statement: "The personal statement is your opportunity to tell your story in your own voice and to offer an authentic reflection of who you are. It should clearly articulate your motivations for applying and explain why you are pursuing this opportunity. We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, influences, and aspirations through the lens of the qualities required for the Lafayette Fellowship: (1) Academic excellence, (2) Leadership potential and commitment to helping society, (3) Dedication to developing the French-American relationship"
- 3 recommendation letters (2 academic and 1 extracurricular)
- Candidates must apply for admission to one of the partner institutions as well as complete a separate Lafayette Fellowship program application. The awarding of the scholarship is conditional upon admission to one of the partner institutions.
How to Apply
You do not need an endorsement or nomination from Wesleyan to apply for this fellowship, but we do offer advising on the application.
- First, read up on the Lafayette Fellowship on this page and on the Lafayette Fellowship webpage.
- Sign up for updates from the program.
- Interested students should reach out to fellowships@wesleyan.edu, ideally in the summer before the senior year (or the summer before the fall in which you will apply).
- Meet with an advisor at the Office of Fellowships for advice on the application.
- Line up a language test if needed for your program.
- Review a draft of your application with a fellowship advisor.
- Submit before the national deadline.
- Apply to the appropriate French graduate program.