By Michael | Last Updated: June 2026
Finding fully funded international education opportunities can feel overwhelming, especially in a high-income European hub like Luxembourg. However, studying in the heart of Europe doesn’t have to drain your savings.
The Luxembourgish government, alongside national universities and research funds, actively invests in global talent to drive its innovation sectors. If you are an international student seeking financial support for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program, this guide breaks down the exact government-backed scholarships, state aid, and university grants available to you—and how to successfully secure them.
Luxembourg Scholarship Matrix: At a Glance
To help you quickly identify which funding track matches your academic profile, review this summary of the primary government and state-sponsored funding streams:
| Scholarship Scheme | Target Degree Levels | Primary Financial Benefit | Main Application Deadline |
| AideFi (State Aid) | Bachelor, Master, PhD | Mix of baseline grants, mobility grants, and student loans | Once per semester (Strict seasonal dates) |
| Guillaume Dupaix Excellence Award | Master’s Degree only | €11,526 per year + guaranteed housing access | Late March (Typically March 24) |
| FNR-AFR Grants | PhD and Postdoctoral | Comprehensive research costs + competitive monthly salary contract | Varies by specific research call cycles |
| Erasmus+ Mobility Grant | Bachelor and Master (Exchange) | Monthly living stipend + full host tuition waiver | Set internally by your home university |
Top Government and State-Backed Scholarships in Luxembourg
1. The AideFi (State Financial Aid)
The Ministry of Research and Higher Education offers AideFi, a comprehensive state financial aid package. While primarily designed for residents, international students can qualify under specific operational conditions.
- What it covers: A multi-tiered structure consisting of basic grants, mobility grants for studying outside your home region, social grants, and low-interest loans.
- Eligibility for Internationals: Non-resident workers or children of workers who have been actively employed in Luxembourg for a required minimum duration can qualify. Otherwise, international students must typically demonstrate they applied for aid in their home country first.
- Application Window: Applications must be submitted digitally via the MyGuichet portal once per semester before strict deadlines.
2. Guillaume Dupaix International Master’s Scholarship
Funded in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, this is the gold standard for high-achieving international Master’s students aiming for the University of Luxembourg.
- The Benefit: A stipend of €11,526 per academic year (disbursed in installments per semester), with a portion structurally optimized to secure university housing.
- Target Audience: Exceptionally high-performing international applicants (both EU and non-EU citizens) admitted to a full-time Master’s program.
- Key Requirement: You cannot combine this award with Luxembourg’s state financial aid (AideFi).
3. Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) – AFR Grants
If you are pursuing a PhD or postdoctoral research, the Luxembourg Government offers heavy funding through the FNR’s AFR (Aides à la Formation-Recherche) scheme.
- Focus Areas: Primarily targets STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and applied research aligning with Luxembourg’s national economic development priorities.
- The Benefit: Fully covers your project’s research costs, provides a highly competitive employment contract with a monthly salary, and includes mobility allowances for international collaborations.
4. Erasmus+ in Luxembourg
As a founding member of the European Union, Luxembourg functions as a central hub for the Erasmus+ framework.
- Who it’s for: Bachelor or Master students currently enrolled in a participating partner university outside of Luxembourg who wish to spend 1 to 2 semesters abroad.
- The Benefit: Covers baseline living expenses, travel allowances, and guarantees a full tuition fee waiver at the host university in Luxembourg for up to 12 months.
Government Scholarships Categories
Merit-Based Scholarships
These are for students with excellent grades, strong transcripts, and a record of achievement. They are usually very competitive.
Need-Based Scholarships
These scholarships help students who may not be able to afford higher education on their own. Applicants are often asked to show proof of income or financial hardship.
Research Scholarships
Designed for students in research-focused fields such as computer science, engineering, health sciences, and data science. They often include funding for research work and access to university labs or research centres.
Doctoral (PhD) Scholarships
PhD scholarships usually support students throughout their research studies and may cover tuition, a monthly stipend, and research-related costs.
Exchange Scholarships
These are for students taking part in exchange programmes and studying in Luxembourg for a short period, usually one or two semesters.
Bilateral Government Scholarships
Luxembourg also has scholarship agreements with some partner countries. These awards may cover tuition, housing, living costs, or research support, depending on the agreement.
European Union-Supported Scholarships
Because Luxembourg is part of the EU, students may also benefit from EU-funded programmes that support joint degrees, exchanges, and research mobility.
Honesty Note: Always check exactly what the scholarship covers so you can budget for any costs it does not include..
The Application Process: Timeline and Checklist
Securing a government or university-backed scholarship in Luxembourg requires strict adherence to timelines. The process for top-tier awards, such as the Guillaume Dupaix International Master’s Scholarship, operates on a rigid schedule.
Academic Application
March 24
Submit your Master’s program application via the online admissions portal. The directors assess academic excellence first.
Scholarship Invitation
March 24
If deemed excellent, you will receive an email invitation to apply for the scholarship.
Document Finalization
March 31
This is the absolute last call for submitting any missing documents for the scholarship applications.
Final Decision
Mid-May
Successful and unsuccessful applicants are informed via email. Acceptance must be confirmed within three working days.
The Essential Document Checklist
Do not wait until you receive an invitation to gather your paperwork. Prepare these items well in advance:
- Official Transcripts & Degree Certificates: Certified copies of your undergraduate scores with standardized GPA conversions.
- Language Proficiency Certificate: Typically an IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught tracks, or a B2/C1 CEFRL certificate for French or German tracks.
- Academic Motivation Letter: A tailored personal statement highlighting your strengths and explaining how your goals align with Luxembourg’s academic ecosystem.
- Two Letters of Recommendation: Provided by academic professors who can explicitly rank your performance relative to your peers.
3 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
Most applicants fail not because of their grades, but due to technical oversights. Keep these pitfalls in mind to ensure your application stands out:
- Ignoring the Multilingual Reality: Luxembourg has three official languages (French, German, and Luxembourgish), but many Master’s programs are completely in English. Ensure you have the exact language proficiency certificate required by your specific faculty before applying for funding.
- Missing the AideFi Loophole: Many international students assume they don’t qualify for state aid. If your parents work in Luxembourg (even as cross-border commuters from France, Germany, or Belgium), you might be legally entitled to the AideFi grant.
- Applying Late for Accommodation: Even with a heavy stipend, finding a place to live in Luxembourg is notoriously difficult. Scholarship approvals are often contingent on proving you have guaranteed student accommodation. Apply for university housing the exact day you submit your academic application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can international students work part-time while holding a scholarship in Luxembourg?
Yes. International students with a valid student residence permit are legally allowed to work. However, there are limitations during term time to protect your academic progress:
- During term time: You can work up to a maximum of 15 hours per week. (Note: Bachelor’s students are typically not permitted to work during their first two semesters).
- During university holidays: You can work full-time up to 40 hours per week.
- Earnings: Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in Europe. Unskilled student workers can expect to earn a competitive hourly rate starting around €13.60 to €15 per hour.
2. What is the real cost of living for a student in Luxembourg?
While tuition at public institutions is remarkably low (often ranging between just €200 to €400 per semester), the general cost of living is high. A student typically needs between €1,200 and €1,600 per month to cover expenses:
- Housing: Expect to pay €350 to €400 for a university dormitory or €600 to €1,200 for a room in a private shared flat.
- Food & Groceries: Budget approximately €250 to €350 per month.
- The Big Saving: Public transport (trains, buses, and trams) is 100% free throughout the entire country for residents and visitors alike. Your commuting cost will be €0.
3. Can I stay and work in Luxembourg after my scholarship ends?
Yes. Luxembourg is highly eager to retain global talent, especially in tech, financial services, and engineering. Upon completing your Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD, international graduates can apply for a post-study job seeker residence permit, allowing you to legally remain in the country to find a position matching your qualifications.
4. Does the Guillaume Dupaix scholarship cover full tuition fees?
No, the Guillaume Dupaix scholarship does not explicitly cover tuition fees. However, because tuition fees for most standard programs at the public University of Luxembourg are extremely low (typically €200 to €400 per semester), the €11,526 annual stipend easily offsets these minor administrative costs.
5. Is a blocked bank account required for the visa if I win a partial scholarship?
Yes. To secure a Luxembourg student visa, immigration authorities require non-EU applicants to show proof of financial means equivalent to at least 80% of the social inclusion income (roughly €1,161 per month or roughly €14,000 per year). If your scholarship is partial or does not cover this baseline amount, you must bridge the difference using personal bank statements or a blocked account.
6. Are there any age limits for applying to Luxembourg government scholarships?
There are no official age limits for the Guillaume Dupaix or FNR-AFR research grants. The selection panels focus strictly on academic merit, the quality of your research proposal, and your past academic progression.
7. Can I apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously?
You can apply for multiple funding sources to maximize your chances, but you cannot combine them if they are mutually exclusive. For instance, the rules explicitly state that you cannot simultaneously be a beneficiary of the Guillaume Dupaix scholarship and the state-backed AideFi.
8. Is health insurance covered under these government scholarships?
Coverage depends entirely on the specific award. While FNR-AFR PhD grants provide a standard employment contract that includes national social security benefits, Master’s scholarships like the Guillaume Dupaix generally do not include insurance. Students must register with the National Health Insurance (CNS) or provide private coverage, which typically costs between €30 and €100 per month.
9. What fields of study are prioritized for Luxembourg government funding?
While the Guillaume Dupaix scholarship is open to all faculties, Luxembourg naturally gives high priority to fields that bolster its knowledge economy. This includes banking and finance, data science, artificial intelligence, biopharma, and European law.
10. When does the academic year start, and when should I apply?
The academic year runs from September to June. The primary application windows for admission and subsequent scholarship consideration open between January and March each year. It is highly recommended to finalize your document translations by December of the previous year.
Official Portals and Application Links
To ensure you receive the most accurate updates and can access the secure submission portals, always apply directly through the official Luxembourgish government and institutional channels. Use the verified portals below to begin your application:
- University of Luxembourg Main Scholarship Hub: Review all faculty-specific and alternative awards on the University of Luxembourg Scholarships Portal.
- Guillaume Dupaix Excellence Scholarship: Read the detailed eligibility requirements and track application calls directly via the Official Guillaume Dupaix Scholarship Page.
- State Financial Aid (AideFi): Check your resident or cross-border worker eligibility, simulate your potential funding amount, and track application open dates on the Ministry of Higher Education and Research MengStudien Portal.
- National Research Fund (FNR): For PhD candidates, doctoral researchers, and postdoctoral scholars, explore current open research project calls on the Luxembourg National Research Fund Funding Portal.
Your Next Steps to Studying in Luxembourg
Studying in Luxembourg offers a direct pathway to a thriving European job market, particularly in finance, tech, and law. Your next step is to verify your academic eligibility on the University of Luxembourg’s official portal and begin drafting your motivation letter.
Gather your transcripts, secure your language certifications, and start applying early.
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