A wealth of highly competitive scholarship opportunities awaits African students and researchers. These programs will allow them to pursue advanced studies globally in 2025 and 2026.
These initiatives aim to promote research critical to development, foster academic excellence, and build vital leadership capacity across the continent.
1. University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) – Netherlands
The UTS offers significant financial backing for high-achieving international students.
- Benefit: Up to €22,000 is provided for one year of study.
- Eligibility: Applicants must not be citizens of an EU/EEA country. They must secure admission to a UT Master’s program. They should rank among the top 5–10% of their graduating class. English proficiency must be demonstrated (IELTS 6.5/TOEFL 90).
- Deadline: February 1, 2026 (Round 1).
- Process: First, candidates must seek admission to a UT Master’s program. After receiving admission and a student number, they submit a separate UTS application.
2. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Fully Funded Health Leadership
This program targets young Africans dedicated to transforming health education. It provides a fully funded Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSc-HPE).
- Benefit: Fully funded (tuition, living allowance, travel, etc.) for an 18-month, blended online and in-person program.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be 35 or under (disability exceptions apply). They must be African citizens, residents, or recognized refugees. A Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field is required. Experience in teaching or leadership in health education is preferable.
- Deadline: November 30, 2025.
- Process: Applicants submit one complete online application. This application covers both the program admission requirements and the scholarship component.
3. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – American University of Beirut (AUB)
The foundation also offers comprehensive support for graduate studies at AUB. The program seeks candidates demonstrating commitment to community service.
- Benefit: Fully funded support covers select Master’s and, in certain cases, PhD studies. Benefits include tuition, living support, mentoring, and leadership development.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be African citizens or refugees. They need good academic standing and demonstrated leadership skills. They must be 35 or younger.
- Deadline: November 6, 2025.
- Process: Applicants submit the AUB online graduate application. They select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program within the financial opportunities section. All specified admission and scholarship requirements must be met.
4. DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme – South Africa
This scheme supports advanced local research in South Africa. It is a collaboration between Germany and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
- Benefit: Provides an annual stipend: ZAR 80,000 for Master’s level; ZAR 110,000 for PhD level. Funding covers a maximum of two years for Master’s and three years for PhD.
- Eligibility: Open exclusively to South African citizens or permanent residents. It finances full-time Master’s or PhD studies at a South African university. Strong academic and research potential is required. Female applicants receive strong encouragement.
- Deadline: November 27, 2025.
- Process: Applications must be submitted solely through the National Research Foundation (NRF) online portal. Applicants must follow the joint NRF/DAAD guidelines precisely.
5. ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships – Germany
This opportunity supports doctoral research concentrating on environmental challenges. It includes a fully funded research stay in Germany.
- Benefit: Nine-month fully-funded research stay in Germany. This includes a monthly living allowance of €1,200, an insurance allowance, and a travel grant up to €1,000.
- Eligibility: Doctoral students from developing countries who began their PhD studies within the last three years. The proposed research topic must align with the ABCD-Centre’s thematic clusters.
- Deadline: November 15, 2025.
- Process: Applicants compile all required documents (including CV, motivation letter, and two recommendation letters) into a single PDF file. They submit the file via email to the designated ABCD-Centre address by the deadline.
China Mandates Domestic AI Chips in State-Funded Data Centers
