Scholarships

Scholarships_3

Masters and Ph.D. Fellowships for African Students

This is a resourceful list of scholarships and grants for Africans interested in studying abroad for their Undergraduates, Masters, and PhDs. I started sharing scholarship opportunities, fellowships, and funding on Twitter with #Scholarships4Africans and #ScholarshipsFriday so my colleagues can benefit.

I’m not affiliated with any universities or scholarship providers listed here. I can’t provide individualized recommendations for scholarships. Do follow us on Twitter and check out this page often for the latest updates. New entries are marked with an asterisk.***

2023 Full Funding Scholarships***

  1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program: Offers full scholarships for international students to study in the United States at the graduate level. To be eligible for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree, have a strong academic record, and demonstrate proficiency in English. The program also requires applicants to have a well-defined research or study plan and to demonstrate a commitment to returning to their home country after completing their studies in the United States. Deadline: September 15, 2023
  2. Humphrey Fellowship Program: Offers full scholarships for international students to participate in non-degree academic study and professional development in the United States. Interested applicants must apply through the U.S. Embassy (Public Affairs Section) or Binational Fulbright Commission in their country. Application deadlines vary by country. Check eligibility and deadline here. 
  3. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is a prestigious graduate-level scholarship program at Stanford University in California, United States. The program provides full funding for graduate study at Stanford University for students worldwide. KHS Application Deadline:
    To be announced in Spring 2023
  4. Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: The JJ/WBGSP provides scholarships for Master’s degree programs in economics, public policy, international development, and other related areas at selected universities worldwide. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
  5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship: Fully funded scholarship for international students to study at the University of Cambridge.
  6. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program: Offers full scholarships for postgraduate studies to students from developing countries.
  7. Rotary Peace Fellowship: Fully funded scholarship for students to earn a master’s degree in peace and conflict resolution at one of Rotary’s partner universities.
  8. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program: Provides full scholarships to African students who wish to study at universities in the United States and other parts of the world.
  9. American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: Full scholarship for international students to study at American University in Washington, D.C.
  10. International Fulbright Science and Technology Award: Provides full funding for Ph.D. study at top US universities in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields.

2021 Full Funding Scholarships***

  • Harvard University 2021 MBA Scholarship for International students (USA). The Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship is granted every two years for a two-year course at Harvard Business School. Boustany Foundation awards scholarships to exceptionally talented individuals creates life-changing opportunities for less privileged children. Financial aid amounting to US$102,200 (US$51,100 per year) towards tuition fees. Application Deadline: May 31, 2021.
  • DAAD 2021-2022 Master Study Scholarships for All-Academic Disciplines. The scholarship programme offers you the opportunity to continue your academic education in Germany with a postgraduate course of study. For more details, visit the DAAD website. Application Deadline: October 1, 2021.
  • MasterCard / KNUST 2021-2022 Scholarships for African Students. The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST provides academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young people in Ghana and Africa with access to quality and relevant university education. Comprehensive financial support (full tuition, fully paid on-campus accommodation, learning materials, transportation and a monthly stipend). For more details, visit KNUST website. Application Deadline: May 31, 2021.
  • University of Guelph 2021 – Commonwealth Undergraduate Scholarships for Developing Countries. Applications are now open for the University of Guelph Undergraduate Commonwealth Scholarship for students from developing nations to study in Canada. An award of $1,500 will be awarded to the successful applicant. Application Deadline: May 1, 2021.
  • University of Cambridge UK 2021– E D Davies Scholarship at Fitzwilliam College. The deadline for sending your application is 31 Aug 2021. This scholarship is provided by the University of Cambridge and the value of this scholarship is Partial Funding, GBP 1,460 for one year. This scholarship is open to all nationals. Application Deadline: August 31, 2021.
  • University of Reading 2021 – BSc Architecture Scholarships in the UK. This scholarship is provided by the University of Reading and the value of this scholarship is Partial Funding, £1,000. This scholarship is open Open to all nationals. Go to the University of Reading on www.reading.ac.uk to apply. Application Deadline: June 10, 2021.
  • Romanian Government Undergraduate Scholarship 2021. Romania Government Scholarship is offered by the Romanian State to Foreign Citizens through the MFA. Scholarship in Romania is for Undergraduate Degree, Master’s Degree & Doctoral Degrees Holer. Go to Romanian Government on www.mae.ro to apply. Application Deadline: April 30, 2021.
  • University of Oxford Executive Diploma Scholarships for Women: One scholarship worth £10,000 towards the course fees is available for an exceptional female candidate on each of our Diploma programmes. The aim of this scholarship is to support female candidates of merit and to encourage an increase in women considering senior leadership roles. Deadline: 18 October 2021.
  • Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship 2021/2022: Applications are welcomed from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors, gender and gender identities. Candidates nominate themselves by applying for the fellowship. There are no age limits or academic prerequisites. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with Harvard University protocol, the 2021-22 LEAD fellowship program will be entirely virtual. While we cannot offer an in-person experience at this time, we are committed to ensuring the 2021 remote Fellowship will be equally as meaningful an experience. Apply Here.

 

2020 Full Funding Scholarships*

  • Ph.D. Fellow in Plant Biotechnology at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark 2020. Applicants should hold an MSc degree in Plant Biology, Biotechnology or other related fields, with good results. The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 328.355 (approx. €43,750) including an annual supplement (+ pension at a minimum of DKK 53,360). Negotiation for a salary supplement is possible. The deadline for applications is February 23, 2020, 23:59 GMT +1.  
  • Fully Funded Nordic Africa Institute African Guest Researchers’ Scholarship in Sweden 2020. The scholarship includes a return air-fare (economy class), accommodation, a subsistence allowance of 400 SEK (approx. 45 USD) per day plus an installation grant of 2,500 SEK (approx. 280 USD) and access to a workspace (including computer) in a shared office at the Institute. The application should be submitted by April 1, 2020.
  • Young Researchers from European Neighbouring Countries Scholarship Programme 2020.
  • Fully Funded International Mathematical Union CDC Abel Visiting Scholar Program 2019.  Details here. Application Deadline: December 31st, 2019.
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Scholarship for 2019 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships for International Scholars at Canadian Research Institutions. Worth of Award: 70 fellowships are awarded annually; approximately 140 awards are active at any time. $70,000 per year (taxable). Application Deadline: September 18, 2019 (20:00 EDT). More details here.
  • NED Reagan Fascell Fellowship Programme for Africans in USA 2020. The National Endowment for Democracy invites applications for the 2019/2020 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Programme. Each fellow receives a monthly stipend for living expenses, plus health insurance and reimbursement for travel to and from Washington, D.C., at the beginning and end of the fellowship period. Application Deadline: October 1, 2019. Click here for more details and to apply
  • Knight-Hennessy Scholars Fully-funded Programme at Stanford University 2020.
    Stanford University invites applications for the Fully Funded Knight-Hennessy Scholars Programme in the USA for 2020/2021 academic year. Worth of Award: Fully funded, include tuition, stipends, graduate program, and academic-related expenses with additional financial support available. Application Deadline: October 9, 2019. Click here for more details and to apply
  • 2019 – 2020 Chevening Scholarship for Commonwealth International Applicants — The 2019 – 2020 Chevening Scholarship is now open for applications from international students to study at a top UK university. The scholarships are awarded to individuals with strong academic backgrounds who also have demonstrable leadership potential. Do read the Frequently Asked Questions for further clarifications.
  • 2019 – 2021 Fully-funded Oxford-Pershing Square Master’s+MBA Scholarships. — The University of Oxford invites applications for the Oxford-Pershing Square, which sponsors a combined master’s and MBA program or 1+1 MBA. The international scholarship is open to citizens of all nationalities. The scholarship provides funding for tuition, college fees and at least £14,553 toward living expenses for both years of study. Deadline: March 16, 2019. Click here for detailed guidance about applying.

Africa Scholarships

  • Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship for Africans in Cote D’Ivoire 2020. The Fellowships offer the opportunity to work in the executive offices of either the AfDB (Abidjan), UNECA (Addis Ababa) or the ITC (Geneva) with an annual stipend of $100,000. Application Deadline: No later than October 14, 2019. Click here for detailed guidance about applying.
  • Ashinaga Africa Initiative Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in 2020. Full financial support to study at a university abroad (equivalent to an undergraduate degree). Ashinaga support covers tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary fees. Condition: Be committed to returning home, or to Sub-Saharan Africa, and contribute to society in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduating from university. Application Deadline: September 30, 2019. Click here for detailed guidance about applying.
  • Getty Foundation invites applications for Getty Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowships intended for emerging scholars to complete work on projects related to the Getty Research Institute’s annual research theme in 2019. Getty Predoctoral Fellows are in residence for nine months from late-September to late-June and receive a stipend of $25,000. Getty Postdoctoral Fellows are in residence for nine months from late-September to late-June and receive a stipend of $30,000. Deadline: October 1, 2019 (5:00 p.m. PT). Click here for more details and to apply
  • Government of Chile Nelson Mandela Master Scholarship for South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola citizens 2020. The Chilean Agency for International Development Cooperation (AGCID) is inviting applications for the Nelson Mandela Master Scholarship for Africans in 2020. The Chilean Agency for International Development Cooperation (AGCID) offers, for the academic year 2020, scholarships to carry out Master’s studies in Universities or other Chilean institutions of higher education. These scholarships are offered to professionals who are nationals of South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola. Application Deadline: October 31, 2019.
  • African Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence — The African Masters of Machine Intelligence (AMMI) will prepare well rounded Machine Intelligence (MI) researchers by focusing on basic research in MI. All students admitted for the AMMI program are automatically granted a full scholarship.
  • Obama Foundation Leaders Africa Program in South Africa 2019. Deadline: Africa Program seeks emerging leaders who have a demonstrated potential for impact, a clear commitment to integrity, and are at earlier stages of their journey in 2019. Applications will close on December 2019.
  • The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) offers scholarships to Africans who wish to pursue post-graduate studies within Africa, outside of their own countries for the 2019/2020 academic session.

Europe Scholarships

Canada Scholarships

  • Amgen Scholars Canada Program at The University Of Toronto. The applications for the Amgen Scholars Canada Program for the year 2020/21 have opened. I9nterested candidates can apply until 3rd February 2020. The Amgen Scholars Canada Program is an immersive, 10-week program of research experience, professional development, and social activities.

  • Fully Funded UBC Vantage College Awards in Canada 2020. The University of British Columbia calls applications for the Fully Funded UBC Vantage College Awards. UBC Vantage College Awards is offered for a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Arts, Applied Science in Engineering, Management, Science. The University offers awards ranging in value up to $25,000 to students beginning their undergraduate studies in the Vantage One Programs at UBC. Application Deadline: March 31, 2020. Click here for more details and to apply.

  • Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2020 at McGill University. The Mastercard Foundation provides financial support to Scholars studying at McGill University. Mastercard Foundation will exempt the tuition fee of the candidates of the 2020 Scholars Program at McGill University. Further, the foundation will also cover the living expenses of students for the duration of their Master’s Program. Application Deadline: 31 January 2020.