How Muhammad Usman, a Pakistani Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Biorefinery and Biobased Materials Through the France Excellence Climate Change Scholarship

My name is Muhammad Usman, and I am from Pakistan. I completed my Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering at the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan, from 2020 to 2024. During my bachelor’s thesis, I worked on the valorization of sugarcane bagasse, which developed my interest in the area of biomass-derived materials. Therefore, I decided to pursue a master’s abroad as I was looking for a very specialized master’s degree that could help me develop expertise in this area. Finally, I secured admission to a program focused on the domain of biorefinery and biobased materials with a fully funded scholarship in 2025.

France Excellence Climate Change Scholarship Details

The France Excellence Climate Change Scholarship (French Government Scholarship) is awarded by the Government of France in collaboration with the French Embassy in Pakistan and Campus France.

Scholarship coverage:

• Tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance
• One return air ticket: Pakistan–France–Pakistan
• Student visa and Etudes en France fee waiver (reimbursed upon request after being awarded the scholarship)
• Social Security
• Assistance to find affordable student accommodation (priority access to CROUS residences, subject to availability)
• Free French language classes before departure to France

Other Offered Scholarships

• Turkiye Burslari Scholarship for a master’s degree at Hacettepe University, Ankara
• ASEAN/Non-ASEAN Master’s Scholarship at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
• Future Global Leaders Scholarships at Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII)
• Professor-funded Scholarship at UMPSA, Malaysia

Educational Background

My final year thesis was relevant to the focus of my master’s degree. Moreover, I also worked on the publication of a review article related to the focus of my master’s degree, along with some research projects after completing my BS degree. Apart from this, I also participated in a lot of volunteer and social activities during my undergraduate studies, which I believe played a significant role in winning this scholarship.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Grenoble INP-Pagora?

How Did You Find Information About the France Excellence Climate Change Scholarship?

I found information mainly through YouTube, LinkedIn, and some Facebook groups.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the IELTS test and prepared independently with the help of YouTube.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the France Excellence Climate Change Scholarship?

After my undergraduate studies, I was doing a research-based internship. In parallel, I dedicated time each day to completing applications and refining documents such as my CV and motivation letters. I also sought help from seniors to improve my documents.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my highly relevant academic profile, which I further strengthened through research after my bachelor’s, and my participation in volunteer work were the main factors that helped me win these opportunities. Moreover, I also remained consistent in my applications and tried to apply for almost every available opportunity, which enabled me to master the art of writing documents and attending interviews.

What Would You Have Done Differently If You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have focused more on applying for fully funded scholarships and improving my profile through some practical experiences.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My advice for prospective scholarship applicants is to keep working hard until you win. Don’t lose hope when you receive a rejection email because one selection will be enough to forget a thousand rejections. Also, believe in yourself and be consistent because consistency is key to winning scholarships. Keep learning and improving your documents over time based on advice from seniors or by watching relevant sessions and videos on YouTube.

Moreover, try to develop a habit of self-exploration and don’t just focus on one country or one scholarship. Keep applying for every available fully funded scholarship opportunity, and once you get multiple selections, choose the best one. Don’t just fall for big names because, in the end, what matters is that you are studying on a fully funded scholarship without paying a single penny from your pocket!