The Two-Year Funded Master’s Scholarships 2026 under the EAC Scholarship Programme are offering up to 120 scholarships to eligible young nationals of East African Community countries. The award covers tuition fees, travel, medical insurance, living support, study materials and research expenses for eligible Master’s programmes in participating EAC countries.
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has announced the Cohort 4 call for applications for the Two-Year Funded Master’s Scholarships, providing an opportunity for academically qualified young people from the East African Community (EAC) to pursue postgraduate studies in another EAC Partner State. The programme is supported by the EAC and the Federal Republic of Germany and is implemented by IUCEA.
Up to 120 scholarships are available under this cohort. Successful applicants will receive financial and academic support for a two-year Master’s programme in approved fields including mathematics, engineering, informatics, science, technology and business-related disciplines.
Background & Scholarship Description
The EAC Scholarship Programme is a regional initiative designed to strengthen human capital, regional integration and sustainable development in East Africa. It supports academically talented students, particularly those who may face financial barriers, to undertake postgraduate studies 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 from across the EAC. Phase II began in October 2025 and is expected to support at least 280 students through three cohorts across the current EAC Partner States.
For Cohort 4, eligible applicants can apply for approved Master’s programmes offered by participating universities in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, among the listed host countries and institutions. Importantly, applicants must study in an EAC Partner State other than the country of their citizenship.
The scholarship is particularly relevant for young professionals and graduates seeking advanced qualifications in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, information systems, business and related fields.
Scholarship Benefits
One of the strongest features of the programme is the comprehensive funding package.
According to the published scholarship information, successful scholars can receive:
- Full tuition fees, paid directly to the host university.
- Return economy-class air travel between the scholar’s home country and host country at the beginning and completion of studies.
- EUR 200 arrival allowance upon arrival in the study country and opening of a bank account where feasible.
- EUR 380 monthly stipend to support accommodation, meals, local transport and other living expenses.
- EUR 650 study materials allowance.
- EUR 1,500 one-time study and research allowance.
- Medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship.
- Visa or entry-fee support where applicable.
- Participation in at least one extracurricular event.
This means the programme provides support beyond tuition, helping successful candidates manage several of the major costs associated with undertaking postgraduate study away from home.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is targeted at nationals of the eight EAC Partner States identified in the call:
- 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. They must also apply to study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or an equivalent qualification. They must also have applied for admission to an eligible Master’s programme at a participating university.
The programme also encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities and applicants from other disadvantaged backgrounds. The scholarship programme aims for at least 50% female participation among beneficiaries.
Eligible Fields of Study
The Two-Year Funded Master’s Scholarships cover approved programmes in several priority thematic areas:
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Informatics
- Science
- Technology
- Business Science
The available programmes include fields such as data science, information technology, computing, sustainable energy, engineering, environmental technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, public health, statistics, chemistry, agriculture and business-related disciplines.
Examples of listed programmes include Master of Science in Data Science, Master of Science in Information Technology, Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions, Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Master of Science in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, and Master of Science in Public Health.
Applicants should carefully review the official eligible-programme list before selecting a course and university.
Participating Universities
The call lists universities and higher education institutions across participating EAC countries. These include institutions such as Chuka University, Daystar University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Egerton University, Strathmore University and United States International University-Africa in Kenya.
In Rwanda, listed institutions include the Institut d’Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri and the University of Rwanda. Uganda includes Busitema University, Mbarara University of Science & Technology and Nkumba University. Tanzania includes institutions such as the University of Dar es Salaam, University of Dodoma, Sokoine University of Agriculture and the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology.
Because programme availability varies by institution, applicants should first identify an eligible Master’s programme that matches their academic background and career objectives.
How to Apply
The application process has two separate stages.
Step 1: Apply for University Admission
Applicants should first select an eligible Master’s programme and participating university. They must then visit the university’s official website, review its admission requirements and submit an application for admission.
Applicants should indicate their intention to apply for the EAC Scholarship Programme where required and pay any applicable university application fee.
Step 2: Submit the EAC Scholarship Application
After applying for university admission, applicants must complete the separate EAC Scholarship application form.
The online scholarship application link will open on 20 August 2026. Applicants must also prepare and submit the required supporting documents according to the application instructions.
Applicants applying for more than one eligible programme or university must submit a separate scholarship application and a complete set of supporting documents for each programme.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully because incomplete applications will not proceed to evaluation.
The listed supporting documents include:
- National ID or passport
- Recent passport photograph
- Proof of university admission application
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcript
- Curriculum Vitae
- Academic reference letter
- Professional reference letter
- Bank statements where applicable
- Recent payslip where applicable
- Professional membership certificate
- Scholarship award documentation where applicable
- Evidence of achievements, publications or certifications
- Leadership and volunteer certificates
- Evidence of dependants where applicable
- Disability or chronic illness documentation where applicable
- Evidence of financial hardship or displacement where applicable.
The documents must be submitted in PDF format within a single zipped folder and named according to the prescribed document codes.
Important Dates
Applicants should take note of the following dates:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Call opens | 20 August 2026 |
| Application period | 20 August – 10 September 2026 |
| Information session | 28 August 2026 |
| Application deadline | 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT |
| Successful applicants announced | December 2026 |
| Scholarship acceptance and agreements | December 2026 |
A virtual pre-application information session is scheduled for 28 August 2026 at 11:00 AM East Africa Time, giving prospective applicants an opportunity to seek clarification about the call and application requirements.
How to Submit Your Application
The official scholarship application form is scheduled to open on 20 August 2026. Applicants should complete the online form and submit all required supporting documents before the deadline.
Open the EAC Scholarship Application Form
Applicants can also register for the pre-application information session through the registration link provided in the official call.
For questions concerning the scholarship, the official call provides the following contacts: eacsp@iucea.org and scholarships@adroitconsultinternational.com.
Final Thoughts
The Two-Year Funded Master’s Scholarships – Cohort 4 offer a significant postgraduate study opportunity for eligible young EAC nationals who want to build advanced expertise while studying within the East African region.
With up to 120 scholarships, full tuition, a monthly living stipend, travel support, medical insurance, study materials and research funding, the programme provides substantial assistance to successful candidates.
However, applicants should not wait until the final days to begin preparing. The process requires both university admission and a separate scholarship application, together with several supporting documents. The official call also makes clear that submitting a university admission application alone does not constitute an application for the EAC Scholarship Programme.
Prospective applicants should therefore identify their preferred eligible programme, review the university admission requirements, prepare their documents and complete both stages of the application before 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT.
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