Bourses Master KfW EAC 2026 en Afrique de l’Est

Contexte

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has announced Cohort 4 of the KfW-funded EAC Scholarship Programme, offering up to 120 funded Master’s scholarships to eligible nationals of eight East African Community (EAC) Partner States.

The opportunity is designed for talented young graduates seeking postgraduate study in another EAC country while gaining access to financial support, leadership development, mentoring and regional networking opportunities. Applications open on 20 August 2026 and close on 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT. Successful applicants will study for two years at participating universities in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

The programme was launched in 2018 and its first phase supported 180 Master’s students across the EAC. Phase II began in October 2025 and is expected to support at least 280 students across three cohorts. Beyond financial assistance, scholars receive opportunities related to leadership development, mentoring, networking and regional integration.

Profil recherché

The EAC Scholarship Programme is open to nationals of the following eight EAC Partner States:

• Burundi
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Tanzania
• Uganda

Applicants must be below 35 years of age at the time of application and must apply to study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

Candidates must also hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or an equivalent qualification and must have applied for admission to an eligible Master’s programme at a participating university.

The programme particularly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities and applicants from other disadvantaged backgrounds, with a target of at least 50% female participation among scholarship beneficiaries.

Missions et responsabilités

The scholarship focuses on disciplines considered important for scientific, technological, economic and regional development.

Thematic areas include:

• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Informatics
• Science
• Technology
• Business Science

The approved programmes cover a broad range of postgraduate fields. Examples include Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Computing and Information Systems, Environmental Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Development Finance, Human Resource Management and Supply Chain Management.

Participating institutions include universities in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, among others listed in the official programme catalogue.

Conditions et avantages

This is a substantial funding package for students who might otherwise struggle to finance postgraduate education abroad.

Successful scholars can receive:

• Return economy-class air travel between their home and host countries.
• Full tuition fees paid directly to the host university.
• EUR 200 arrival allowance.
• EUR 380 monthly stipend for accommodation, meals, local transport and other living costs.
• EUR 650 study-materials allowance.
• EUR 1,500 study and research allowance.
• Medical insurance for the scholarship period.
• Visa or entry-fee support where applicable.
• Participation in at least one extracurricular event.

Dossier de candidature

Applicants should begin preparing their documentation early because incomplete applications will not be considered.

The supporting-document checklist includes:

• National ID or passport
• Recent passport photograph
• Proof of university admission application
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript
• Curriculum Vitae
• Academic reference letter
• Professional reference letter
• Bank statements, where applicable
• Professional membership certificates, where applicable
• Evidence of awards, publications, research, fellowships or certifications
• Leadership and volunteer certificates
• Evidence of financial hardship or other relevant circumstances, where applicable

Comment postuler

Applicants must complete two separate stages. Applying to a university does not automatically mean that an applicant has applied for the scholarship. Both processes must be completed separately.

Step 1: Apply for University Admission

First, applicants should review the eligible programmes, select their preferred university and programme, and follow the university’s admission procedure. Applicants should indicate their intention to apply for the EAC Scholarship Programme and pay any applicable university application fee.

Step 2: Submit the EAC Scholarship Application

After applying for university admission, applicants must complete the separate online EAC Scholarship application. The scholarship application form opens on 20 August 2026. Applicants must then compile the required supporting documents into a single folder, follow the prescribed naming conventions, compress the documents into a single ZIP folder and submit them by email as instructed in the call.

Key Dates

• Opening date: 20 August 2026
• Application period: 20 August–10 September 2026
• Deadline: 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT
• Virtual information session: 28 August 2026 (11:00 AM East Africa Time)
• Expected communication of successful students: December 2026