Higher Education opportunities

Find verified grants, fellowships, accelerators and support for African founders working in Higher Education.

18 open opportunities, 6 closing within 7 days

DAAD flags flying outside the German Academic Exchange Service

ScholarshipCloses tomorrow, 12 Nov

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

DAAD In-Country and In-Region Scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africa: Funded Master’s Degrees in Development Related Fields

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme funds development related Master’s degrees for graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, either in their own country or in another country in the region. The award runs for the regular duration of the course, generally up to two years, and covers a monthly scholarship, tuition fees, a study and research allowance, thesis publishing costs and health insurance, with a travel allowance for In-Region holders. Applications for the round now open close on 12 November 2026.

Eligibility: Applicant is a graduate or postgraduate from Sub-Saharan Africa

Deadline: November 12, 2026
Location: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana
Funding or benefit: No single figure is published on the programme page. The award lists a monthly scholarship, study and research allowance, thesis publishing costs, tuition fees and health insurance, plus a travel allowance for In-Region holders. The amounts appear in the call for applications of the degree programme you apply to. Applying through the host institution costs nothing.

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ALCHE campus student image from the African Leadership College of Higher Education website

ScholarshipCloses 14 Nov

African Leadership College of Higher Education with the Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the African Leadership College of Higher Education, Mauritius

ALCHE, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, offers full ride scholarships covering tuition and additional financial support to deserving and talented students across the African continent who demonstrate financial need, academic excellence and leadership potential. International students apply by 14 November 2026 for the February 2027 intake, with Mauritian citizens running to 23 January 2027.

Eligibility: Meet the ALCHE Admissions requirements first, because scholarship eligibility follows admission eligibility

Deadline: November 14, 2026
Location: Mauritius, Nigeria, Kenya
Funding or benefit: A full ride scholarship covering full tuition and additional financial support throughout the scholar's journey at ALCHE. The provider notes that very limited scholarships are available per intake and publishes no fixed cash amount.

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UNESCO Research Continuity Grants for African Scientists Whose Work Was Interrupted by Crisis opportunity

GrantCloses 15 Nov

UNESCO Science for Crisis Response and Solutions Programme

UNESCO Research Continuity Grants for African Scientists Whose Work Was Interrupted by Crisis

UNESCO is offering six institutional research continuity grants of up to USD 2,000 each to African nationals working at recognised universities and research institutes whose natural science research was interrupted by armed conflict or a natural or biological hazard. Applications close on 15 November 2026 at 23:59 Paris time.

Eligibility: African nationals based at a recognised university or research institute in an African country

Deadline: November 15, 2026
Location: Algeria, Angola, Benin
Funding or benefit: Six institutional grants of up to USD 2,000 each under this first pilot call, for activities that can be completed within six months.

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CMU-Africa Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa

CourseCloses 15 Nov

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa 2027 by CMU-Africa, cost free for qualified applicants

Carnegie Mellon University Africa runs a six course online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa that is cost free for qualified applicants. Applications run 15 October to 15 November 2026.

Eligibility: Applicants must satisfy the prerequisites the apply page sets for the Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa

Deadline: November 15, 2026
Location: Africa
Funding or benefit: Cost free for qualified applicants, stated on the CMU-Africa apply page.

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ScholarshipCloses 15 Nov

White Avenue Group

The Icon Scholarship 2026

A free to apply tuition support scholarship for newly admitted undergraduate university students from all 36 Nigerian states and the FCT.

Eligibility: Qualified, newly admitted Nigerian university students

Deadline: November 15, 2026
Location: Nigeria
Funding or benefit: Tuition support scholarship for newly admitted Nigerian university students. No award amount is printed on the page. Application is 100% free.

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ScholarshipCloses 15 Nov

Royal Holloway University of London

Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship Nigeria

One of two GREAT Scholarships at Royal Holloway, a tuition fee reduction of £10,000 for a new full-time postgraduate student from Nigeria joining in January 2027, deadline 11.59pm UK time on Sunday 15 November 2026.

Eligibility: A passport holder and a resident of Nigeria or India

Deadline: November 15, 2026
Location: Nigeria
Funding or benefit: Tuition fee reduction of £10,000, one of two scholarships, one for a student from Nigeria and one for a student from India.

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FellowshipOpen

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

TWAS Research Professors in Least Developed Countries Programme 2026/2027

TWAS is inviting requests from research groups and scientific institutions in least developed countries, including many across Africa, to host a TWAS Research Professor for a two to four week visit during a one year appointment. Applications close 23 November 2026.

Eligibility: Requesting institution must be a research group or scientific institution located in a least developed country (LDC)

Deadline: November 23, 2026
Location: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi
Funding or benefit: TWAS covers economy class round-trip travel, additional travel expenses and an honorarium for the visiting professor. The host institution covers local expenses.

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Africa-UniNet Research Cooperation Projects, 7th Call 2026 opportunity

GrantOpen

Africa-UniNet, OeAD with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research

Africa-UniNet Research Cooperation Projects, 7th Call 2026

Collaborative research grants of up to EUR 40,000 per project over 24 months, linking Austrian and African member institutions. The 7th Call 2026 closes on 30 November 2026 at 13:00 CET.

Eligibility: Researchers holding a PhD who are affiliated with an Austrian member institution may apply, submit and coordinate a project

Deadline: November 30, 2026
Location: Austria
Funding or benefit: Maximum funding of EUR 40,000 per project for a project duration of 24 months, with the earliest possible project start in July 2027. Travel support is a maximum of EUR 2,000 per person per return trip, and the stay allowance is no more than EUR 180 per day spent actively working on the project, capped at EUR 2,160 per month for a maximum of three months per person per stay.

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African Leadership University and Mastercard Foundation partnership image from the ALU scholars programme page

ScholarshipOpen

African Leadership University with the Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at African Leadership University, January 2027 intake

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at African Leadership University funds full scholarships for promising young leaders from across Africa who face financial adversity or economic hardship, with particular emphasis on young women, refugees and differently-abled young Africans. Applications for the January 2027 intake, including the ALU Rwanda campus, close 30 November 2026.

Eligibility: Open to the most promising young leaders from across Africa seeking an ALU education despite financial adversity or economic hardship

Deadline: November 30, 2026
Location: Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya
Funding or benefit: A full scholarship under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ALU. The provider describes the program as implementing a full scholarship programme for scholars facing financial adversity or economic hardship, and does not publish a cash amount on the programme page.

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ScholarshipOpen

Prof. Dr. Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye Scholarship and Bursary Award

Prof. Dr. Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye Scholarship and Bursary Award 2027

A Nigerian undergraduate award for members of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church, paying ₦300,000 each to two scholarship beneficiaries and ₦100,000 each to forty bursary beneficiaries.

Eligibility: Membership of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere District Branches

Deadline: December 4, 2026
Location: Nigeria
Funding or benefit: Two tiers for the 2027 session, stated in the announcement of the round as Scholarship: 2 beneficiaries will receive ₦300,000 each and Bursary: 40 beneficiaries will receive ₦100,000 each. The award site states that approved awards are processed and paid directly to beneficiaries through their provided bank details.

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ScholarshipOpen

Gates Cambridge Trust

Gates Cambridge Scholarship Class of 2027

The Gates Cambridge Trust Class of 2027 round, a full cost postgraduate award for study at the University of Cambridge open to applicants of all nationalities, with the live round two deadline set by course on 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027.

Eligibility: Applicants of all nationalities for the PhD routes and the defined set of master's courses, which covers Nigerian and African applicants

Deadline: December 8, 2026
Location: Africa
Funding or benefit: A full cost postgraduate award covering University tuition, a maintenance allowance and travel and visa costs. No single cash figure is published because components depend on course and visa route.

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Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research 2027 opportunity

CompetitionOpen

Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute

Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research 2027

The Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute, run with Science, has opened the 2027 cycle of its prize for AI accelerated research. The Grand Prize carries a USD 30,000 award, publication of the winning essay in Science, a 5-year digital subscription to Science and travel to the awards ceremony, with up to two runners-up named at USD 10,000 each. Entries close on 13 December 2026.

Eligibility: Early career scientists in a field related to artificial intelligence

Deadline: December 13, 2026
Location: Africa
Funding or benefit: The Grand Prize carries a USD 30,000 award, publication of the winning essay in Science in print and online, a 5-year digital subscription to Science and travel to the awards ceremony. Up to two runners-up may each receive a USD 10,000 award, essay publication on Science online and the same 5-year digital subscription.

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ScholarshipOpen

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Carnegie Mellon University Africa Master's Programmes, Fall 2027

Fall 2027 admission for the Master's programmes at Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Kigali, MS IT, MS ECE and MS Engineering AI, with a 15 December 2026 early deadline that carries competency test fee coverage and a final close of 15 January 2027.

Eligibility: Students from across Africa are encouraged to apply, which covers Nigerian graduates

Deadline: January 15, 2027
Location: Africa
Funding or benefit: An admission call rather than a cash award, with CMU Africa covering competency test fees for applicants who meet the 15 December 2026 early admission deadline. Funding support is separate from admission.

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IPRA Foundation header banner for the 2027 Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowship announcement

FellowshipOpen

International Peace Research Association Foundation

Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowship 2027 to 2028: Two Awards of $10,000 for Women from the Global South in Peace and Development Studies

The IPRA Foundation gives two Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowships in every other year to women from countries in the Global South who are doing an in person graduate degree in peace and development studies. Each award pays school expenses of $5,000 a year for two years. Applications for the 2027 to 2028 cycle close on January 15, 2027.

Eligibility: Women from countries in the Global South

Deadline: January 15, 2027
Location: Africa
Funding or benefit: Two fellowships are awarded, each paying school expenses of $5,000 per year for two years, a total of $10,000 per fellow. Awards are considered based on need.

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FellowshipOpen

International Mathematical Union

IMU-Simons Research Fellowship 2027 for Mathematicians in Developing Countries

The IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Program funds collaborative research visits of one to three months at mathematical institutions abroad for mathematicians based in developing countries. Awards range from US$5,000 to US$15,000 and cover travel, visas, insurance, accommodation, living costs and eligible family support. Applications for research visits starting between 1 June 2027 and 1 June 2028 close on 15 January 2027.

Eligibility: You hold a PhD in mathematics

Deadline: January 15, 2027
Location: Africa
Funding or benefit: Awards between US$5,000 and US$15,000 depending on the eligible costs of the proposed research visit. Paid in two installments, with the final installment released after a post-visit report.

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CODESRIA call for proposals poster for Research Grants on University Ecosystems, showing three researchers in a university library.

GrantOpen

Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA)

CODESRIA Research Grants on University Ecosystems 2027

CODESRIA is funding research grants of USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 for 15 months of support, for researchers affiliated with a recognised African university or research institution. This call is about higher education, gender, academic freedom and the quality of associational life in African universities, with funding support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. Proposals can be individual or by a team of 3 to 5 researchers. Applications close 16 January 2027.

Eligibility: You are affiliated with a recognised African higher education or research institution

Deadline: January 16, 2027
Location: Africa
Funding or benefit: A draft budget of USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 per project, with 15 months of research support. Both individual proposals and collaborative teams of 3 to 5 members are eligible, and interdisciplinary, inter institutional or multi country teams are strongly encouraged.

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Mauritius public higher education campus image from the ministry site

ScholarshipOpen

Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Republic of Mauritius

Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme 2027

Fully funded scholarships from the Government of Mauritius for resident citizens of African Union and African Commonwealth countries, for full-time on-campus study at a public higher education institution in Mauritius.

Eligibility: Resident citizen of an active member state of the African Union or an African Commonwealth country

Deadline: March 31, 2027
Location: Mauritius
Funding or benefit: Tuition fees at a public higher education institution in Mauritius, a contribution to living expenses during the studies and return airfare by the most economical route. No monthly stipend figure is published.

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ScholarshipOpen

Imperial College London

Jack Hirst Scholarship 2027/28, Imperial College London

One Jack Hirst Scholarship for a Chemistry MRes at Imperial College London, worth full tuition fees at the Overseas rate plus a stipend equivalent to the annual UKRI rate, for candidates studying or researching Chemistry at a Nigerian academic institution, closing 23:59 UK local time on 21 May 2027.

Eligibility: Currently studying or conducting research in Chemistry at a Nigerian academic institution

Deadline: May 21, 2027
Location: Nigeria
Funding or benefit: One award: full tuition fees at the Overseas rate and a stipend equivalent to the annual UKRI rate.

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Higher Education opportunities

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