CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
TWO-YEAR FUNDED MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COHORT 4
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) invites suitably qualified nationals of the East African Community (EAC) to apply for Cohort 4 of the KfW-funded Scholarships to pursue Master’s studies in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
Opening Date: 20 August 2026
Closing Date: 10 September 2026, not later than 17:00 hours, East African Time
Scholarship Duration: 2 years
Number of Scholarships: Up to 120
Application Language: English
THEMATIC AREAS
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Informatics
- Science
- Technology
- Business Science
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Applicants must be nationals of the following EAC Partner States:
- Burundi
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Uganda
Applicants must be below 35 years of age.
Students are required to pursue their studies in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
BACKGROUND
The EAC Scholarship Programme (EACSP) is a regional initiative of the East African Community and the Federal Republic of Germany, implemented by the Inter-University Council for East Africa.
The programme seeks to develop future leaders who will contribute to regional integration and sustainable development by supporting students to pursue Master’s studies in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
The programme was launched in 2018 and has supported 180 Master’s students through its first phase. Phase II commenced in October 2025 and is expected to support at least 280 students across three cohorts from all current EAC Partner States.
The programme supports academically talented but financially disadvantaged students pursuing eligible Master’s programmes in Mathematics, Engineering, Informatics, Science, Technology and Business-related disciplines.
In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients benefit from leadership development, mentoring, networking opportunities and regional integration activities.
Female applicants, persons with disabilities and applicants from other disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The programme aims to achieve at least 50% female participation among scholarship beneficiaries.
SCHOLARSHIP PACKAGE
The scholarship package includes:
- Return economy-class air ticket between the scholar’s home country and host country upon commencement and completion of studies.
- Full tuition fees payable directly to the host university.
- Arrival allowance of EUR 200 upon arrival in the study country and opening of a bank account in that country.
- Monthly stipend of EUR 380 to cover accommodation, meals, local transport and other living expenses.
- Study materials allowance of EUR 650.
- One-time study and research allowance of EUR 1,500.
- Medical insurance coverage for the duration of the scholarship.
- Visa/entry fee, where an entry pass or student pass is required.
- Participation in at least one extracurricular event.
ELIGIBLE MASTER’S PROGRAMMES
Applicants must apply for admission to one of the approved Master’s programmes offered by participating universities in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
Applicants may apply for more than one eligible Master’s programme and/or university. Each programme application will be treated as a separate application and must have a separately completed scholarship application form, separate email submission and supporting documents.
KENYA
Chuka University
- Master of Science in Applied Mathematics
- Master of Science in Biochemistry
- Master of Science in Botany – Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Master of Science in Botany – Plant Pathology
Daystar University
- Master of Science in Economics
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
- Master of Science in Food Science and Technology
- Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Egerton University
- Master of Science in Animal Nutrition
- Master of Science in Food Science
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science & Technology
- Master of Science in Agricultural Extension
- Master of Science in Chemistry
- Master of Science in Microbiology
- Master of Science in Pure Mathematics
Kabarak University
- Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
- Master of Science in Physics
KCA University
- Master of Science in Data Science
- Master of Science in Development Finance
Kibabii University
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Human Resource Management
- Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Master of Science in Physics
Murang'a University of Technology
- Master of Science in Chemistry
- Master of Science in Information Technology
- Master of Science in Statistics
- Master of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Strathmore University
- Master of Science in Computing and Information Systems
- Master of Science in Information Technology
- Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions
United States International University-Africa
- Master of Arts in Communication Studies
- Master of Information Systems
- Master of Science in Organisational Development & Management
RWANDA
Institut d'Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri
- Master of Arts in Microfinance
- Master of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences
- Master of Science in Software Engineering
- Master of Science in Taxation
University of Rwanda
- Master of Science in Electrical Power Systems Engineering
- Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance
- Master of Science in Health Supply Chain Management
- Master of Science in IoT – Wireless Intelligence Sensor Networks
UGANDA
Busitema University
- Master of Science in Industrial Mathematics
- Master of Science in Materials Engineering
Mbarara University of Science & Technology
- Master of Science in Biology (Microbiology and Parasitology)
- Master of Science in Biology (Natural Resources Ecology, Management and Conservation)
- Master of Science in Mathematics
Nkumba University
- Master of Information Systems and Technology
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Dar es Salaam University College of Education
- Master of Science in Environmental Biology
- Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry
- Master of Science with Education
Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre
- Master of Official Statistics
Sokoine University of Agriculture
- Master of Science in Irrigation Engineering and Management
The Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology
- Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Innovation
- Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management
- Master of Science in Embedded and Mobile Systems (EMoS)
University of Dar es Salaam
- Master of Science in Chemistry
- Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering
University of Dodoma
- Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management
- Master of Science in Digital Instructional Design
- Master of Science in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
- Master of Science in Public Health
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of any of the 8 EAC Partner States.
- Be below 35 years of age at the time of application.
- Apply to study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
- Possess a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or equivalent qualification.
- Have applied for admission to an eligible Master’s programme offered by a participating university.
- Submit a complete scholarship application within the stipulated application period.
Applicants must provide supporting documents demonstrating that they meet the eligibility requirements.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process has two parts:
PART A: APPLY FOR UNIVERSITY ADMISSION
Step 1: Review the call and select your preferred eligible Master’s programme and university.
Step 2: Visit the selected university’s website and review its application process for the programme.
Step 3: Apply for admission to the university, indicating your intention to apply for the EAC Scholarship Programme. Pay the university application fee where applicable.
PART B: APPLY FOR THE EAC SCHOLARSHIP
Step 4: Complete and submit the online EAC Scholarship Application Form via:
https://eeu.kobotoolbox.org/J4W9xHf7
The link opened on 20 August 2026.
Step 5: Review the Supporting Documents Checklist and identify all required attachments.
Step 6: Compile all required supporting documents into a single folder and name the files according to the prescribed document codes.
Step 7: Compress all required supporting documents in PDF format into a single ZIP folder and submit it by email to:
[email protected]
[email protected]
The email subject line must follow this format:
[Applicant Name] – Application for [Master's Programme] at [University] – Phase II EACSP
Example:
Tsavo Simba – Application for MBA at Adroit University – Phase II EACSP
Applicants applying for more than one eligible programme must submit a separate complete scholarship application for each programme, including a separate online application form and separate email submission with supporting documents.
Submission of a university admission application does not constitute an application for the EAC Scholarship Programme. Applicants must separately complete and submit the scholarship application together with all required supporting documents.
VIRTUAL PRE-APPLICATION INFORMATION SESSION
A virtual pre-application information session will be held on:
Date: 28 August 2026
Time: 11:00 AM East Africa Time (Nairobi time)
The session will provide interested applicants with an opportunity to seek clarification on the Call for Applications and application requirements.
Registration:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xV6Th4PfTJSUw3JFg0ioMQ
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Only applications with all mandatory documents submitted will be considered.
All documents should be submitted in PDF format and in a single ZIP folder. Files should be named using the format [Document Code] [Document Name].
Mandatory and Supporting Documents
- E01: National ID or Passport
- E02: Recent Passport Photograph
- E03: Proof of University Admission Application, such as admission letter, acknowledgement email, receipt or portal screenshot
- E04: Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and Transcript
- E05: Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- E06: Bank Statements for the last six months, where applicable
- E07: Academic Reference Letter
- E08: Professional Reference Letter
- E09: Recent Payslip, where applicable
- E10: Professional Membership Certificate
- E11: Payslips for the last six months, where applicable
- E12: Scholarship Award Letter, if undergraduate studies were funded through a scholarship
- E13: Photograph of Primary Residence
- E14: Publication, Research Paper, Award, Fellowship, Certification or Other Achievement Evidence
- E15: Leadership Certificate
- E16: Volunteer Certificate
- E17: Evidence of Dependents, such as Marriage or Birth Certificates, Guardianship Documents or School Fee Receipts
- E18: Medical Report for Applicant with Disability or Chronic Illness
- E19: Refugee Identification or Registration Documents
- E20: Displacement, Disaster or Social Welfare Documentation
- E21: Evidence of Loss of Livelihood
- E22: Tuition Arrears Statements, Fee Balance Statements or Financial Aid Applications
- E23: University Correspondence Demonstrating Financial Hardship
- E24: Any other relevant documents, such as an English Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS, TOEFL), where applicable.
All copies of the Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and academic transcript must be certified true copies.
Applicants whose academic qualifications were obtained outside the host country must ensure that their qualifications are equated by the relevant National Council, Commission for Higher Education or other competent authority in the host country before admission.
Documents in languages other than English must be submitted together with copies translated into English by an accredited language translation provider.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Only complete applications for eligible programmes submitted before the deadline, in English and according to the application guidelines, will be considered.
- Applicants must complete both stages: university admission and the separate EAC Scholarship Programme application.
- All mandatory supporting documents must be submitted. Failure to do so will make the application incomplete and ineligible for further consideration.
- Applicants applying for more than one programme must submit a separate complete application for each programme.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
- Providing false, misleading or incomplete information may result in automatic disqualification or withdrawal of a scholarship award.
- IUCEA reserves the right to verify information and supporting documents submitted.
- Successful applicants may commence studies at the earliest available intake depending on the admission schedules and academic calendars of the host universities.
- Submission of an application does not guarantee the award of a scholarship.
- The scholarship cannot be deferred to a later time or transferred to another person.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Launch of Call for Student Applications | 20 August 2026 |
| Student Application Period | 20 August – 10 September 2026 |
| Receipt of Clarifications | 20 August – 10 September 2026 |
| Virtual Pre-Application Information Session | 28 August 2026 |
| Closing Date for Applications | 10 September 2026 |
| Communication of Successful Students and Host Universities | December 2026 |
| Acceptance of Scholarship Offers and Signing of Scholarship Agreements | December 2026 |
| Pre-Travel and Pre-Award Orientation and Reporting to Universities | In accordance with university academic calendars |
| Reporting and Registration of Students at Host Universities | In accordance with university academic calendars |
CONTACT & SUPPORT
For assistance or clarification regarding the scholarship programme:
IUCEA: [email protected]
ACI: [email protected]
Application Deadline: 10 September 2026 at 17:00 hours East African Time.