PhD Scholarships

Every year, applications open for undergraduate, masters, and doctoral funding opportunities for African students to study abroad. These scholarships are offered by institutions and organizations in Africa and across the world. Select and start applying for scholarships for African students:

Below are top scholarships that are currently open for African students with varying closing dates in February 2024.

Holland Government Scholarship for International Students – Bachelors & Masters

Apply now for the Holland Government Scholarship! The Netherlands Government is offering the Holland Scholarship for International students to study for Undergraduate and Master’s programme!

Scholarship Location: Netherlands

Application Deadline: 1st February

TU Delft Summer School Scholarship for Students & Teachers in Developing Countries

The Summer School Planning and Design with Water for Sustainability takes place every JULY at the Department of Urbanism of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment of the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).

The scholarships cover travel costs, accommodation and daily costs during the Summer School (meals and transportation).

The Summer School offers three types of scholarships:

• SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA SCHOLARSHIP
• SPECIAL FEES FOR TRANSITION ECONOMIES AND CONFLICT ZONES
• YOUNG AFRICAN TEACHERS SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship Location: Netherlands

Application Deadline: 1st February

Iso Lomso Fully-funded Fellowships for Early Career African Researchers

Iso Lomso Fellowships provide an exceptional early career opportunity for Africa’s brightest minds in academia. Iso Lomso means ‘the eye of tomorrow’ in isiXhosa: seeing towards the future, laying the foundations for tomorrow.

Application Deadline: 15th February

Hertie School of Governance Doctoral Programme for International Students (Tuition free + Stipend)

The Hertie School of Governance Doctoral Programme in Governance is open to 10 candidates with an exceptionally strong master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics, law, political science, sociology, public administration, Management, or related fields.

Scholarship Location: Germany

Application Deadline: 1st February

University of Konstanz ZUKOnnect Fellowships for Early-career Researchers from Developing Countries (Fully-funded)

The Zukunftskolleg has just launched a new call for “ZUKOnnect Fellowships for Scholars from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Scholarship Location: Germany

Application Deadline: 15th February

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Fund Internship Program for International Students

Are you within a year or two of completing your PhD in economics or a related field or completing a Master’s degree in economics? The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Internship Program (FIP) may be the right opportunity for you!

Application Deadline: 15th February

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarships for Students in Muslim Communities (Undergraduate, Masters, PhD) (OPENING SOON)

The Programme covers all relevant expenses during students’ study period, including tuition fees, health and living costs as determined by the IsDB.

Application Deadline: 28th February

Yale Fox International Fellowships for Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral Students

Yale University jointly pursues these aims with 19 of the world’s leading universities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Scholarship Location: United States

Application Deadline: 1st February

York University international Scholarships

York University is offering full-tuition scholarships to outstanding international students wishing to undertake Bachelor studies at the University.

Scholarship Location: Canada

Application Deadline: 1st February

Italy: Cattolica Africa Scholarship Program for African Masters Students

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, as part of its mission to foster relationships with developing countries, has developed a special program for students from the African continent. This program will enable students to study for undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs taught in English at UCSC’s Milan, Piacenza and Cremona campuses.

Scholarship Location: Italy

Application Deadline: 16th February.

Leiden University Excellence Masters Scholarship Programme (LExS) – Netherland

The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship programme (LExS) is offered to excellent Non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a Leiden University master’s degree programme and for excellent students from all nationalities enrolling in a Master of Law Advanced Programme or MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Scholarship Location: Netherlands

Application Deadline: 1st February.

Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) Program for African Secondary School Students

The Yale Young African Scholars Program (YYAS) is a high-intensity academic and leadership program designed for African secondary school students who have the talent, drive, energy, and ideas to make meaningful impacts as young leaders, even before they begin their university studies.

Application Deadline: 25th January

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals for Developing Countries

The Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (SISS) are awarded to students from selected countries for full-time master’s level studies in Sweden starting in the autumn semester. The scholarships cover both living costs and tuition fees.

Scholarship Location: Sweden

Application Deadline: February

Study in Belgium: VLIR-UOS Masters & Training Scholarships in Belgium for African/Developing Countries

VLIR-UOS offers full Masters & training Scholarships in Belgium for students from Developing countries – half of this scholarship will be offered to African students and preference will be given for Women. The eligible training or Masters programmes are taught in English.

Scholarship Location: Belgium

Application Deadline: Jan-March

NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship 2023/2024: The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has announced the commencement of the application process for its 2023/2024 Foreign Masters and PhD Scholarships Programme.

About NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship

As part of their Human Resource Development initiatives, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is commencing the 2023 Post-Graduate Foreign Scholarship Programme, to equip Niger Deltans with relevant training and skills for effective participation in the Local Content programme of the Federal Government, as well as compete globally in various professional fields.

Application Deadline: 2nd November 2023

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: Niger Deltan states in Nigeria which includes Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Cross River State, Delta State, Edo State and Rivers State.

Scholarship to be taken at (country): Universities Abroad

Eligible Fields of Study: The Scheme is for suitably qualified applicants with relevant Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree(s) from recognized universities in the following professional disciplines:

1. Engineering
2. Agricultural Science
3. Law
4. Medical Sciences
5. Geosciences
6. Environmental Sciences
7. Management sciences
8. ICT
9. Education
10. Humanities

Type: Masters, PhD

Eligibility/Criteria:

• First degree with minimum of 2nd Class Lower Division for those wishing to undertake a Master’s Degree programme and a good Master’s Degree for PhD candidates from a recognized University.
• Applicants must have gained admission for a Post Graduate Programme in any of the listed disciplines above, in a foreign University.
• Applicants who have already enrolled in Overseas’ Universities are NOT eligible to apply.
• Guarantor’s written consent of good conduct of the applicant from any of the following persons from the applicant’s community/clan.

1. Member of National Assembly/State House of Assembly
2. Chairman of the LGA
3. First Class Traditional Ruler
4. High Court Judge

• Persons with evidence of cult membership or criminal record shall not be considered for the award.
• Applicants must have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC).

Number of Scholarships: Several

Value of NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship: Full-fee scholarship

Duration of Scholarship: For the period of the programme

NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship Selection Process:

Candidates will undergo a comprehensive selection process, including preliminary shortlisting, a computer-based test in Rivers State, and final verification through respective Local Government Areas and Community Development Committees.

How to Apply for NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship:

• Application must be made on-line at the Commission’s website: (www.nddc.gov.ng) with the following attachments:

1. Recent passport photograph
2. Local Government Identification Letter
3. Post Graduate admission letter from a recognized Oversea University. Relevant degrees from recognized Universities.
4. NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate.

• Successfully complete application form will be assigned a registration number automatically.
• Print the hard copy of the on-line generated acknowledgement for ease of reference.

All shortlisted applicants will be posted on NDDC website (www.nddc.gov.ng)

For more details, visit Scholarship Webpage.

Scholarship in Germany: As part of the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme, DAAD offers scholarships for PhD & Masters studies.

Application Deadline: 23rd November 2023

Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan African Countries

To be Taken at: Sub-Saharan African Countries

About the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Masters & PhD Scholarships

The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and aims at university staff in the first line, without neglecting the public sector demand of academically trained personnel.

Aims/Objectives

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region programme aims at fostering strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. To this end, scholarships are granted for development-related Master or doctoral studies for individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and / or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

By training future academic and professional leaders, the programme contributes to the following long-term impacts:

• Qualified professionals’ involvement in the solution of development-related problems in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Graduates strengthening education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Structural strengthening and regional networking of partner institutions and partner universities

To achieve these long-term impacts, the following outcomes have been formulated as programme objectives:

Programme objective 1: Graduates have qualified to take over responsible positions in their, or for their, region of origin

Programme objective 2: The participation of women and underprivileged groups is reinforced

Programme objective 3: Organizational, financial and personal capacities of partner institutions are strengthened

Type: Masters, PhD

Eligibility:

• The target group for DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarships are graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa with a first academic degree, if applying for a Master’s programme, or with a Master’s degree if applying for a doctoral programme who want to pursue Master’s or PhD courses in their home country (so called In-Country scholarships) or in another Sub-Saharan African country (In-Region scholarships).
• Female applicants and candidates from less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme.

Number of Awards: Numerous

Value of Award: Generally:

• Monthly allowance
• Study and research allowance
• Printing allowance
• Tuition fees

Only applicable for In-Region scholarship holders:

• Travel allowance
• Health insurance

Duration of Award: DAAD In-Country/In-Region Funding is provided for the usual duration of a course – generally, up to two years for Masters and up to three years for the PhD degree programmes

How to Apply DAAD In-Country/In-Region Masters & PhD Scholarships

Please find below the list of degree programmes funded within this scholarship programme in the regions West and Central Africa, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa, including the links to the respective calls for applications.

West and Central Africa

i. Benin

University of Abomey – Calavi (UAC) Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Subject fields:

• Master: Statistics, Major Biostatistics
• PhD: Agronomic Sciences, Major Biometry

ii. Cameroon

University of Dschang, Subject fields:

• PhD: Parasitology
• PhD: Pharmacology

iii. Ghana

Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Subject field:

• PhD: Development Studies

West African Center for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Subject field:

• Master: Seed Science and Technology

West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Subject field:

• Master: Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases

iv. Nigeria

Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Subject fields:

• Master: Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• PhD: Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Benue State University Makurdi (BSUM), Subject fields:

• Master: Food Chemistry
• PhD: Food Chemistry

Eastern Africa

i. Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Subject field:

• Master: Energy Technology

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Subject fields:

• Master: Soil and Water Engineering
• PhD: Soil and Water Engineering

Moi University, Subject field:

• PhD: Biostatistics

East and South African-German Centre of Excellence for Educational Research Methodologies and Management (CERM-ESA) – Moi University, Subject field:

• Master: Education in Research

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Subject field:

• Master: Food Science and Technology

Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR)*, Subject field:

• Master: Research and Public Policy (MRPP) *at the following universities: Egerton University, University of Lagos, Maseno University, Mzumbe University, University of Ibadan

Pwani University; Subject field:

• Master: Bioinformatics

ii. Tanzania

Ardhi University, Subject field:

• Master: Geomatics

Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Subject fields:

• Master: Embedded and Mobile Systems

iii. Uganda

Busitema University, Subject field:

• Master: Public Health

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Subject fields:

• Master: Biology (Natural Resources Ecology, Management and Conservation)
• Master: Biology (Microbiology and Parasitology) (MAP)

Southern Africa

i. Botswana

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Subject field:

• Master: Physics (by research)

ii. Malawi

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Subject field:

• Master: Aquaculture and Fisheries Science

Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Subject field:

• Master: Environmental Health

iii. Namibia

Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Subject field:

• PhD: Computer Science

South Africa

(In-Region scholarships only; In-Country scholarships for South Africa are addressed in a separate call for applications -> daad.de/go/en/stipa10000279)

Stellenbosch University (SUN), Subject fields:

• Master: Molecular Biology and Human Genetics (MBHG)

University of Cape Town (UCT), Subject fields:

• Master: Urban Studies – Southern Urbanism

University of the Western Cape (UWC), Subject fields:

• Master: Development Studies at ISD
• PhD: Development Studies at ISD

For more details about the DAAD Masters & PhD Scholarships, visit the Webpage for Details.